Goals of Ponys Baseball
The primary goal of the Ponys Baseball Program for 13 and 14 year olds is to reinforce the fundamentals and rules of the game which were taught during the Majors Program. At this level, most players have gained a good knowledge of the game and have developed the fundamental skills needed. Coaches continue to develop individual skills and advanced team strategies. Players at this level will refine their skills in preparation for the High School Baseball programs.
Field Notes
Base Path Length – 75 Feet
Pitching Length – 54 Feet
Only the Recreation Field Leader will decide prior to game time if the playing field is playable. Once a game begins the umpire shall make all field playability calls. Field Leaders may override the umpire and call off games in progress if field playability is an issue during the game.
Equipment
· Metal Spikes are NOT allowed in Ponies.
· All Ponys players must wear a helmet when at bat, running the bases or coaching a base. Face-masks are allowed, but not required in Ponies.
· Maximum Barrel Diameter – 2 5/8”
Prior to the start of the Game
Both teams must exchange lineups prior to the start of the game. Both coaches must be present to go over ground rules and any specific RBB rules with the umpire.
Player Substitution and Minimum Playing Rules
1. Free Substitution will be used to give each player present for the game the opportunity to play at least 3 defensive innings (half of a regulation game).
2. Every player must start at least one (1) game per week defensively.
3. All players present for the game will bat in the batting order.
4. Players arriving after the start of the game will be added to the end of the batting order.
5. A maximum of 9 players may play in the field.
6. Injured or sick players may reenter at any time.
7. Re-entry of a player is not permitted after an ejection or removal of a player for unsportsmanlike conduct.
8. Games may be played with 7 players. If a team is unable to field at least 7 players within 15 minutes of the scheduled start time, the game shall be considered a forfeit. If a team playing with 7 players cannot field at least 7 players for the entire game, the game shall be immediately declared a forfeit. When playing with less than 9 players the open spots will not be declared automatic outs.
Game Length
No new inning may start after 8:15pm on school nights (Sunday thru Thursday) during the school year. A new inning is considered started once the last out of the previous inning is recorded. A new inning should not be started unless it is believed that a complete inning could be played.
Regular Season – A complete game consists of 7 innings for Ponys. If a game is called for any reason (rain, darkness, time limit) it will be considered a completed game and count in the standings if 4 innings have been completed or the team behind has batted 4 times. Managers, by mutual agreement for reasons of maximum time allotment, imminent weather or darkness, from the 4th inning on may declare “This will be the last inning” at the start of the inning.
Playoffs – A complete game for playoffs consists of 7 innings minimum for Ponys unless the Mercy Rule is applied by the losing team. Continuation games will be played to determine a winner if the game is suspended due to time, darkness, field conditions or weather related stoppage of play.
Mercy Rule
A team that is behind by more than 10 runs may elect to end the game once the game has reached the minimum requirements for a complete game.
Scoring Rules
1. A maximum of 7 runs scored per team per inning is in effect for Ponies until the last inning.
2. The winning manager is responsible for reporting the score of the game to the Ponys Commissioner
3. Both managers must submit pitching reports to the Ponies Commissioner
4. Both teams should keep an accurate score book and consult with the other team periodically during the game for accuracy.
5. The home team maintains the official score book for the game.
“Last Inning” Run Rule
The last inning run rule is in place to try to help to avoid ties and to allow both teams a fair chance at winning without going into extra innings. In the last regulation inning (7th) or the last “declared” inning, the following maximum run rule is in effect:
If the away team is winning entering the last inning, then the away team is allowed to score the maximum number of runs allowed (7) in the top of the last inning. The home team will then be allowed to score as many runs as needed to win the game in the bottom of the inning before three (3) outs are recorded to end the game.
If the away team is losing entering the last inning, then the away team is allowed to score as many runs as needed to tie the score and to go up by 3 runs maximum. The top of the last inning is then over. The home team will then be allowed to score 4 runs in the bottom of the inning to win the game before three (3) outs are recorded to end the game.
If the teams are tied going into the last inning, then the away team is allowed to score up to the maximum number of runs allowed (7) in the top of the last inning. The top of the last inning is then over. The home team will then be allowed to score up to eight (8) runs in the bottom of the last inning to win the game before three (3) outs are recorded to end the game.
Example 1:
Ponys Away Team is losing 12-7 going into the last inning. Ponies Away Team can score a maximum of 8 runs in the top of the last inning to go ahead by 3 runs. Ponies Home Team can score 4 runs in the bottom of the last inning to win the game.
Example 2:
Ponies Away Team is winning 8-3 going into the last inning. Ponys Away Team can score a maximum of 7 runs in the top of the last inning. Ponies Home Team can then score as many runs as needed in the bottom of the last inning to win the game.
|
Away Team Top of Last Inning |
Maximum Runs Allowed Last Inning |
|
Ahead |
7 |
|
Tied |
7 |
|
-1 |
4 |
|
-2 |
5 |
|
-3 |
6 |
|
-4 |
7 |
|
-5 |
8 |
|
-6 |
9 |
|
-7 |
10 |
|
-8 |
11 |
|
-9 |
12 |
|
-10 or more |
Max to reach +3 |
Base Running - Player Contact Rules
Any runner is considered to be out when the runner does not attempt to avoid contact with a fielder who has the ball and is waiting to make a play. IT IS THE RUNNERS RESPONSIBILITY TO AVOID CONTACT WITH A FIELDER DURING ANY PLAY. If in the opinion of the umpire the runner made a flagrant or deliberate attempt to take out the defensive player, the umpire should run the runner out and may eject the runner for unsportsmanlike conduct. A report of such incident shall be made to the League Commissioner at the conclusion of the game. The ejection shall also include a 1-game suspension for the player.
Sliding
All players must slide feet-first in the Ponies at all times. Exception: Players may dive hands-first back to the base on a pick-off play. All players must slide into home plate feet-first, if a play is being made at the plate. The catcher may not block home plate on plays at the plate. See Player Contact Rules. The umpire has final say on interpreting contact rules for plays at the plate.
Playing Rules
1. Balks – In effect in Ponys with the following exceptions: In the regular season, one (1) balk warning shall be given to each pitcher before enforcing balks after the warning. In the playoffs, one (1) balk warning shall be given to each team before enforcing balks after the warning.
2. Bunting – Allowed in Ponys with no restrictions.
3. Infield fly rule – In effect in Ponys as called by the umpire.
4. Stealing – Allowed in the Ponys without restriction.
5. Leading – Allowed in Ponys without restriction.
6. Dropped 3rd Strike – In effect in Ponys as called by the umpire.
7. Catcher’s interference – In effect in Ponies as called by the umpire.
8. Courtesy runners are allowed for the catcher with two (2) outs and they must be the last player out.
9. No phantom, decoy or deceptive plays are allowed in the Ponys.
Pitching Rules
1. A pitching week is defined as Sunday thru Saturday
2. One pitch is considered an appearance.
3. One non warm-up pitch shall be considered 1 inning pitched.
4. Any innings pitched count towards weekly pitching maximums.
5. A pitcher once removed cannot be reentered into the pitching position.
6. Intentional walks are permitted in the Ponys with the following conditions: 1. Teams may not intentionally walk the same player more than once per game. 2. Teams may not intentionally walk more than two (2) players per inning.
7. In Ponys, a pitcher may pitch a maximum of three (3) innings per game and eight (8) innings per week.
8. In Ponys, a pitcher who has completed a minimum of 1 inning pitched must have one complete calendar day of rest before pitching again. Exception: if a make-up game is being played or completed, only 20 hours rest is required between appearances. The 20-hour period is started from the time the pitcher has completed in final inning in the previous game.
9. Hit by Pitch – a pitcher must be removed from pitching if the pitcher hits two (2) batters in one inning or four (4) batters total in three (3) innings.
10. Pitchers are not allowed to start consecutive games. Rotate starting pitchers.
11. Five (5) pitches maximum for warm-up between innings.
Behavior Rules
1. Managers are responsible for their own actions as well as the actions of their players and the parents. The behavior code of conduct has been agreed to at registration by all players and parents.
2. Any manager ejected will serve an automatic 1 game suspension.
3. A player ejected will serve an automatic 1-game suspension.
4.A parent ejected will serve a 1-week suspension and will be required to meet with the Executive Committee or League Chairperson prior to being allowed back at a field.
5.The Chairperson of a league has the authority to dismiss or suspend a manager for behavior unbecoming with the approval of the league President.
6. A player may be dropped from a team for repeated unsportsmanlike incidents only with the League chairperson and League President’s approval.
Regular Season & Playoffs
1. A regular season champion trophy will be awarded to the players on the team with the best winning percentage during the regular season.
2.Standings from the regular season will determine playoff seeding for the playoffs.
3.Playoffs, or a post season tournament are to be held in Ponies. The format will be a double-elimination seeded playoff beginning in time to allow for completion prior to the league end date.
4. A single-elimination seeded playoff may be substituted if weather and/or field closures prevent the proper completion of double-elimination playoffs.
Call-Ups
No player may participate in two age brackets during the regular season except for call-ups as defined here.
During the regular season only, if a team in the next age-bracket up cannot field 7 players due to injury or lack of player participation, call-ups from the younger age group may occur.
1. Majors Team #1 can call-up players from Minors Team #1 for regular season games that they can’t field at least 7 players.
2. Ponies Team #1 can call-up players from Majors Team #1 for regular season games that they can’t field at least 7 players.
3. Minors cannot call-up players from the Clinic age group.
4. Requests for all call-ups must be submitted to both Commissioners involved for approval.
5. The call-up player and the parents of the call-up player must agree to participate in the call-up.
6. A maximum of two (2) players can be called up per team.
7. The call-up player cannot pitch or catch in the game.
8. If enough players assigned to the team (7) show up for the game and are able to play, the call-up player(s) must sit and cannot participate to fill out the team to 9 players.
9. Call-ups are not allowed in the playoffs.
Lightning Rule
Any observed lightning mandates that the fields be cleared, all persons take shelter in their cars until such time where an umpire or field leader calls the game or allows it to proceed. Any lighting will require a 30 minute delay. The 30 minute delay starts from the most recent lightning observed. For our purposes, thunder shall be considered lightning.
Tobacco Products
The use of tobacco products on all County and State property is prohibited by law. No coach, player or other individual is permitted to use any tobacco product. Failure to comply shall result in removal from the property.
Final Comment
The purpose of the in-house (recreation league) baseball program is provide an opportunity for all players to have a positive experience with the sport. This requires cooperation from all of the people involved with Reisterstown Baseball Program. This means that each player should have the opportunity to play, regardless of playing ability and to experience full games. Each manager is therefore encouraged to coordinate his or her own system to track the playing time of players on the team. Our objective is to build self-esteem with positive reinforcement throughout the program while fostering education in our younger age brackets which turns into more competitive baseball at the older age brackets.
Coaching Certification clinics will be provided by the league either prior to during the season. It is suggested that all managers and coaches attend. Additionally, the league will support any manager completing the NYCSA Coaching certification.
These rules are subject to interpretation and may be changed at the discretion of the Reisterstown Baseball Commissioner and/or Rules Committee.
