Phoenix Pony Baseball Association Local Rule Amendments
Shetland Division Rules
PLAYING FIELDS
• Base Path Distance: 50 feet
• Machine Pitch Distance: 38 feet
• Machine Pitch Speed:20mph 4/2/3
• Home run cones shall be placed at 125’ down each line and 200’ to centerfield on fields without a permanent fence.
EQUIPMENT
• No metal cleats.
• All male players must protective cups during practices and games.
• It is strongly encouraged that all players wear mouth guards.
• Defensive players at pitcher must wear a helmet.
PLAYING RULES
• Use of pitching machine is mandatory. No coach pitch shall be allowed.
• Four (4) machine pitches per at bat, then hit from the batting tee if necessary.
• All players shall play defense every inning.
• Outs shall be played after the first game. i.e. Any batter, or runner, that is called out shall be removed from the base. Outs are not recorded and entire lineup shall still hit.
• No on-deck batter is allowed.
• No catcher shall be used. A defensive coach should be placed at this position.
• Base runners do not advance on overthrows.
• Hold base runners after the ball is thrown into the infield.
• On fields without a permanent fence, any ball that touches the ground prior to passing the home run cones is a ground rule double. When this occurs, the ball is dead. Batter is awarded second and all runners advance two (2) bases.
• On fenced fields, any ball hitting the fence remains live and playable.
• Defensive coaches (limit 3) are allowed on the field to ensure all players are positioned properly and paying attention.
• A defensive coach (not the pitching coach) that is hit by the batted ball shall automatically award the batter a triple.
• Game time shall not exceed 1:15. It is recommended to play up to the time limit regardless of completion of a full inning.
Pinto Division Rules
PLAYING FIELDS
• Base Path Distance: 60 feet
• Machine Pitch Distance: 38 feet from home plate; Machine Speed: 40 MPH
• Home run cones shall be placed at 150’ down each line and 200’ to centerfield on fields without a permanent fence.
EQUIPMENT
• No metal cleats.
• Bat diameter is 2 1/4” maximum. A 2 1/4” diameter bat must be BPF 1.15 or less.
• All male players must protective cups during practices and games.
• It is strongly encouraged that all players wear mouth guards.
PLAYING RULES
• A lineup card shall be submitted prior to the start of every game.
• Umpires are provided for games at this age level.
• Coaches must define the limits of the infield during the pre-game conference with the umpire.
• Home team will be the official scorekeeper and responsible for submitting results to league at [email protected] within 24 hours.
• Use of pitching machine is mandatory. No coach pitch shall be allowed.
• Free defensive substitutions are allowed.
• Positions fielded and Batting Order: Field ten (10), Bat entire lineup. Teams must have a player at the Pitcher and Catcher position. A MAXIMUM of 4 outfielders may be used. A minimum of 8 players on defense is required to continue playing official game.
• The player fielding the pitcher’s position shall take a position five (5) feet to the rear of the pitching machine and 3 feet to the left or right. A 2 foot line will be drawn at this position. The player must keep at least one foot on this line at the start of the pitch. If the other foot is free it will be on the side of the line extending away from the pitching machine.
• No player may sit out for more than one (1) inning until all other players have sat out for one (1) inning.
• No player may play a single position more than two (2) innings in a game. This rule only applies to the first four (4) games of the season. (It is strongly encouraged to let all players experience every position on the field.)
• When a player is removed from the lineup due to injury, sickness, ejection or other reason, the lineup will be collapsed. No automatic out will be used. The player that was removed from the lineup shall not return to that game in any capacity.
• Runners may not lead off or steal.
• Runners may not advance on overthrow of first base.
• On fields without a permanent fence, any ball that touches the ground prior to passing the home run cones is a ground rule double. When this occurs, the ball is dead. Batter is awarded second and all runners advance two (2) bases.
• On fenced fields, any ball hitting the fence remains live and playable.
• Limit of one (1) base may be advanced on an overthrow of second or third base.
• Once the ball is thrown into the infield and in possession of an infielder and, in the umpire’s judgment, all play on the runner or runners has ceased, the umpire shall call “Time”. The ball is considered dead and should be returned to the mound.
• Possession of the ball by an infielder will be determined by the umpire(s), and does not require the infielder raise the ball above head.
• If runner is less than halfway to the next base when control is made and umpire calls the play dead, they must return to the prior base at the natural completion of the play.
MERCY RULES
• Leading Teams may score a maximum of 6 runs in any given inning.
• The trailing team may score enough runs to tie the inning and an additional 6 in an inning.
• No Maximum applied in the stated last inning and all subsequent innings
MACHINE PITCH RULES
• Batter is out after failing to hit a fair ball after six (6) pitches are delivered. Exception: If batter hits a foul ball on the third strike, or sixth pitch, batter continues until a fair ball is hit or a third swinging strike.
• Batter is out if there are three strikes prior to the sixth pitch.
• A defensive player fielding the pitcher position shall stand to either the left or right, and behind the front of the pitching machine in order to see the batter.
• If a batted ball strikes the pitching machine and remains in fair territory, the ball is in play.
• If a batted ball strikes the pitching machine and goes into foul territory, the ball is dead, the batter is awarded first base and all runners advance one base. (National rule)
• If a batted ball hits the coach operating the pitching machine, the ball is dead. The pitch is a foul strike and no runners may advance.
• If a live ball hits the coach operating the pitching machine and in the umpire’s judgment the coach interferes in the fielder’s attempt to make a play, the ball is dead and the runner is out and no runner may advance.
COACHES
• Limit of one (1) defensive coach is allowed in the outfield to ensure all players are positioned properly and paying attention. All other coaches must remain in the dugout.
• One coach may stand behind the catcher during pitches to collect baseballs.
• Limit of three (3) coaches on a team.
LENGTH OF GAME
• No new inning may start after 1:30.
Mustang Division Rules
PLAYING FIELDS
• Base Path Distance: 60 feet, Pitching Distance: 46 feet EQUIPMENT
• No metal cleats.
• PONY approved bats only. See national PONY rules. Bat Diameter is 2 5/8 maximum. A 2 1/4 diameter bat must be BPF 1.15 or less.
• All male players must protective cups during practices and games.
PLAYING RULES
• Lineup card shall be submitted prior to the start of every game.
• Home team will be the official scorekeeper and responsible for submitting results to league at [email protected] within 24 hours.
• Teams may bat entire lineup.
• Teams may play with four (4) outfielders.
• Free defensive substitutions, except the pitcher position.
• Batters may advance on dropped third strike.
• Runners may lead off or steal. A player may only advance/steal home when the batter has the opportunity to advance to first base,
• A courtesy runner is allowed for the catcher at any time. The last batted out shall be used as the courtesy runner. • No on-deck batter is allowed on the lower fields at Akimel.
• Sliding: Runners approaching home plate MUST slide at home plate on a play. They may also not deviate on their path to home plate in order to initiate contact with a defensive player. In either situation, they will be called out. Judgment is left to the umpire.
• Home Plate Defense: Unless a defensive player is in possession of the ball, they CANNOT block home plate. Runner will be called safe in this situation. Judgment is left to the umpire.
STEALING RULES
• A player may freely steal 2nd and 3rd bases.
• A player may steal Home in the following situations:
• A defensive play is being made at a base (ie, catcher attempting to throw out a runner etc..)
• Any play where the batter has the opportunity to advance to first from the batters box. (dropped third strike, passed ball on third strike, walk)
PITCHING RULES
• No player shall pitch more than 60 pitches in any game.
• A pitcher may complete the at bat once the 60 pitch count is reached
• After 60, pitcher must rest 40 hours before pitching again.
• Once a pitcher is removed, they cannot re-enter game as a pitcher.
• Upon five (5) base on balls or hit batters within the inning, the pitcher must be removed from pitching.
• A pitcher must be removed from the mound upon a second visit in the same inning, or a third cumulative visit to the mound in a game.
• Enforcement of balks is up to the discretion and judgment of the umpire.
COACHES
• Limit of three (3) adult coaches on a team.
• When on offense, two (2) coaches may be base coaches and one (1) coach is to remain in the dugout.
• When on defense no coaches can be on the field
LENGTH OF GAME • Limit six (6) innings.
• A new inning begins immediately upon the third out of the current inning.
• No new inning may start after 1:30.
• Once an inning is started, it shall be completed.
MERCY RULES
• Leading Teams may score a maximum of 6 runs in any given inning.
• The trailing team may score enough runs to tie the inning and an additional 6 in an inning.
• No Maximum applied in the stated last inning and all subsequent innings
Bronco Division Rules
PLAYING FIELDS
• Base Path Distance: 70 feet,
Pitching Distance: 50 feet
EQUIPMENT
• No metal cleats.
• PONY approved bats only. See national PONY rules
• All male players must protective cups during practices and games.
PLAYING RULES
• Home team will be the official scorekeeper and responsible for submitting results to league at [email protected] within 24 hours.
• Free defensive substitutions, excepting the pitcher position.
• A courtesy runner is allowed for the catcher at any time. The last batted out shall be used as the courtesy runner. • No on-deck batter is allowed on the lower fields at Akimel.
• Sliding: Runners approaching home plate MUST slide at home plate on a play. They may also not deviate on their path to home plate in order to initiate contact with a defensive player. In either situation, they will be called out. Judgment is left to the umpire.
• Home Plate Defense: Unless a defensive player is in possession of the ball, they CANNOT block home plate. Runner will be called safe in this situation. Judgment is left to the umpire.
PITCHING RULES
• No player shall pitch more than 75 pitches in a day.
• A pitcher may complete the at bat once the 75 pitch count is reached
• After 75 pitches, pitcher must rest 40 hours before pitching again.
• One (1) pitch to a batter is considered an inning pitched.
• Enforcement of balks is up to the discretion and judgment of the umpire.
• Once a pitcher is removed, they cannot re-enter game as a pitcher.
LENGTH OF GAME
• Limit six (6) innings.
• A new inning begins immediately upon the third out of the current inning.
• No new inning may start after 1:30.
• Once an inning is started, it shall be completed.
MERCY RULES
• Leading Teams may score a maximum of 6 runs in any given inning.
• The trailing team may score enough runs to tie the inning and an additional 6 in an inning.
• No Maximum applied in the stated last inning and all subsequent innings
11/2018 USA Bat Rule Amendment:
All PONY players are required to use USA designated bats for all PONY league and tournament play. Coaches and the officiating crew have the ability to challenge any struck ball (foul or fair) to verify that the player used a USA conforming bat. If the challenge is upheld and it is determined that the bat is not a USA bat, the officiating crew will rule the batter out. All outs made during the play stand and any remaining players on the base pad will be returned to their locations at the outset of the play. Please note: Wood bats do not need to carry the USA designation and are acceptable at all levels of play.
11/2018 Home Dugout Determination:
For all Pony games played on AFBA fields, the third base dugout shall be considered the Home dugout. In the event of a double header or tournament play wherein a team was the Home Team for the first game and is scheduled to be the Visiting team for the second game, that team shall not be required to leave the third base dugout and the first base dugout becomes the Home dugout for that game.
NOTE: Rule priorities shall be as follows, Local rule amendments shall supersede National PONY rules which shall supersede MLB official rules.