A. Team & Fields

1. Home team is responsible for setting up the field. Both teams are responsible for post-game field maintenance and clean up around the bleacher and bench areas.

2.   Home team is responsible for umpire and will provide two (2) new game balls.

3.     Make-up games are required – time and weather permitting. Games not played will count as a tie in the standings. Each team will receive ½ win and ½ loss.

4.     The scorebook is the official record of pitching and will be initialed by the opposing manager.

5.     Play is governed by “PONY Baseball Rules and Regulations” and “Official Rules of Major League Baseball” with the following exceptions, which are necessary in a youth program.

1. Pitching Rules
1. Pitchers shall not pitch in more than seven (7) innings on the same calendar day.
2. Pitchers shall not be allowed to pitch more than then (10) innings in a calendar week.  A calendar week begins at 12:01 AM Monday and ends at 12:00 midnight the following Sunday.
3. Pitchers, after pitching four or more innings in a calendar day, shall have 40 hours of rest before pitching again.
4. A pitcher shall be removed from the mound after hitting three (3) in a game.
5. A pitch constitutes an inning.
6. Once removed from the mound, a pitcher may not pitch again in that game.
7. Violation of pitching rules will result in forfeiture of the game and a 1 game suspension for the manager.

2. Participation
1. Continuous batting order will be used.
2. No limit on numbers of runs per inning. Ten run lead after five innings or fifteen run lead after four innings will constitute a slaughter victory and the game is over.
3. Free substitution and courtesy runner will be used for the catcher with two outs.  The runner shall be the player making the second out of the inning.
4. No inning shall begin after 2 hours and 15 minutes from the start of game (umpire will record official start time – a new inning begins as soon as the last out is made in the previous inning).
5. Suspended games shall resume from the point of curtailment.
6. When a team has 12 players, each player shall play 3 defensive innings by the 6^th inning.
7. When a team has 13 players, each player shall play 3 defensive innings by the 7^th inning.
8. When a game is tied at the end of regulation length, it shall go into extra innings until decision is reached or the game is called by the umpire.  In the event a game ends in a tie, it will count as ½ win and ½ loss for each team.
9. If a game is called for any reason, it shall be a complete game if five innings have been completed, or if the home team has scored more runs in four innings or four and a fraction innings than the visiting team has scored in five complete innings.
10. Any players “called up” from a lower league to fill anticipated absences will bat last and may only field an outfield position.  Call-ups will play a minimum of 3 defensive innings per game.
11. “Runner” Slide Rule:  “If there is a play at second base, third base or home plate, runners must slide to avoid contact with the defensive player.  A runner on the baseline is out if he/she does not make an attempt to get around a fielder who has the ball and is waiting to make the tag.   
12. Metal spikes are allowed.
13. No bats with a diameter larger than 2-5/8^th barrel will be allowed.
14. No razzing or clapping of hands to distract the pitcher, by the base runners. If a player continues after warning             from Umpire, the Umpire may declare the lead runner out and the player must vacate base.  This is not to     preclude defensive chatter of a positive nature.  Sportsmanship is the Key.
15. The respective league presidents will judge any game protests
16. Play will be stopped at the first sight of lightning.