Bay Men's Club Baseball Pony League Rules: 13-14

Rules Overview

1. BMCB Leagues intended to be instructional; therefore, the objective is to educate the kids on baseball fundamentals and good sportsmanship.

2. Please support your Umpire and take the opportunity to teach the boys to accept the umpire’s decision as final and PLAY ON

3. Every player will bat whether he is in the game defensively or not.

4. Each player must play 2 complete innings defensively unless the game is called due to time or weather. With the exception of the catcher, no player shall play the same position in one game for more than 3 innings.

5. No pitcher may pitch more than 6 innings per week of 2 innings per game.

6. Intentional walks are not permitted if no one is on base.

7. The ‘must slide’ rule is in effect.

8. Lead offs and stealing second and third base are allowed.

9. A batter may attempt to advance to first base on a dropped third strike if first base is unoccupied prior to the pitch being thrown

10. Home team is responsible for setting up the field, cleaning up the field after the game, provide new game ball, supply official score to league commissioner and paying the umpire.

11. Visiting team is responsible for providing a good (not necessarily new) game ball.

12. A complete game is normally 6 innings. Games stopped due to inclement weather are considered complete is: home team is ahead after 3½ innings or visiting team is ahead after 4 innings.

13. The game will be considered complete if either team is winning by 15 runs after 4 innings of play or 10 runs after 5 innings of play. In either case, the losing team must be allowed their last time at bat.

14. Rain out number is 440.899.3439 (do not forward to parents) Games are not to be played if the fields are deemed “not playable” by the Maintenance department.

15. The manager is responsible for the conduct of his coaches, players and parents.

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In general it is expected that the manager and coaches of each team will lead by example in assuring that the games are played in the spirit of good sportsmanship. With that in mind, many of the "personnel rules" listed here should not be needed, but are to be referred to if necessary.

1.0.0 GENERAL RULES:

1.1.0 GAME TIMES & LOCATION:

See schedule. Makeup game times will be advised when scheduled.

1.2.0 If a team cannot field 8 players by 10 minutes after the scheduled game time the game will be ruled a forfeit. This rule cannot be overridden by agreement of team managers. Please see rule 2.7.0 as it applies to teams fielding 8 players.

1.3.0 No inning will start 2 hours after the scheduled start of play.

1.4.0 In case of wet grounds, threatening weather, etc. the two managers and the umpires will decide together whether a game will begin. COMMON SENSE SHOULD PREVAIL.

1.5.0 The commissioner will reschedule canceled or incomplete games as quickly as possible; however, field availability may prevent all such games from being rescheduled.

1.7.0 A complete game is normally 6 innings. Tie games may continue into extra innings but not to exceed rule 1.3.0 if another game follows. Games stopped due to inclement weather or lack of light are considered complete if: (a)Home team is ahead after 3½ innings (b)Visiting team is ahead after 4 innings.

1.8.0 The game will be considered complete if either team is winning by 15 runs after 4 innings of play or 10 runs after 5 innings of play. In either case, the losing team must be allowed their last time at bat during the inning of play.

1.9.0 HOME TEAM RESPONSIBILITIES:

SET UP FIELD AT PRESCRIBED MEASUREMENTS PRACTICE 1ST (AT LEAST 20 MINUTES BEFORE GAME TIME) CLEANING UP THE FIELD AFTER THE GAME OCCUPY FIRST BASE DUGOUT SUPPLY OFFICIAL SCORE KEEPER PROVIDE A NEW GAME BALL RECORD THE NAMES OF THE UMPIRES

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1.9.0 VISITING TEAM RESPONSIBILITIES:

PRACTICE 2ND (10 MINUTES BEFORE GAME TIME) PROVIDE A GOOD (NOT NECESSARILY NEW) GAME BALL OCCUPIES THIRD BASE DUGOUT.

1.10.0 Winning team manager will report game results to the league commissioner as soon as possible.

1.11.0 NO PROTESTS WILL BE ALLOWED! ONLY THE MANAGER IS PERMITTED TO TALK TO THE UMPIRE AND THE DECISION OF THE UMPIRE IS FINAL. SOLVE ALL PROBLEMS DURING THE GAME.

1.12.0 "Trapper" mitts are permitted at first base and for left handed catchers only.

1.13.0 All players while batting, as well as base running must wear helmets. 1.13.1 Discipline for not wearing a batting helmet while on the field. 1.13.1.1 First Offense: Warning 1.13.1.2 Subsequent Offenses: Team out

1.14.0 Catchers must wear complete catching equipment including helmet and cup.

1.15.0 Rubber spikes and tennis shoes are permitted - no steel spikes.

1.16.0 FIELD SPECIFICATIONS:

1.15.1 Base length - 80 feet. 1.15.2 Pitching rubber - 54 feet.

1.17.0 No organized practice or game may be played at Cahoon Park on Sundays.

1.17.1 One adult umpire will be assigned each game. If he fails to show, managers can agree on method of umpiring the game. (e.g. alternating coaches behind the mound)

2.0.0 BATTING ORDER AND SUBSTITUTIONS:

2.1.0 Prior to the start of the game managers must exchange batting order and lineups.

2.2.0 Only players present at the start of the game will be included in the written batting order.

2.3.0 A player arriving late may be inserted: 2.3.1 At the end of the batting order. 2.3.2 Only at the beginning (top) of the next inning. 2.3.3 The opposing manager must be notified.

2.4.0 Players bat in order, whether or not they are in the game defensively.

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2.5.0 No player shall be removed from the field for more than 2 consecutive innings. With the exception of catcher, no player shall play the same position in one game for more than 3 innings.

2.6.0 Unlimited substitutions are permitted as follows: 2.6.1 Defensively - at the beginning of an inning. 2.6.2 Pitching - once removed a player may not pitch again in that game but may play another position.

2.7.0 Should a team only have 8 players present, the opposing team will loan that team a player for defensive purposes only. The loaned player should be rotated each inning.

3.0.0 PITCHING RULES

3.1.0 No pitcher may pitch more than 6 innings per week. No pitcher may pitch more than 2 innings per game. A violation of these rules results in a team out and the pitcher must be replaced. These rules may be adjusted during playoffs and All-Star week at the discretion of the league commissioner.

3.2.0 One out constitutes a full inning of pitching.

3.3.0 An official week is Monday through Sunday.

3.4.0 Intentional walks are not permitted if no runners are on base.

3.5.0 Note rule number 2.6.2 above regarding pitchers removed during the game.

4.0.0 RUNNER AND BATTER RULES:

4.1.0 Each runner, including the batter, may advance without liability of being called out under the following scenarios: 4.1.1 Two bases if a fair ball bounces or is deflected over, through or under a field fence or through or under a scoreboard or through or under shrubbery or vines on the fence; or if it becomes stuck in such fence, scoreboard, shrubbery or vine. 4.1.2 One base when a thrown ball goes into the stands or into a bench (whether or not the ball rebounds on to the field), or over or under or through a field fence or on a slanting part of a screen above the backstop or remains in the meshes of a wire screen. The ball is dead. When such a thrown ball is the initial play by an infielder, the umpire, in awarding such bases shall be governed by the position of the runners at the time the throw is made. 4.1.3 One base if a ball pitched to the batter or thrown by the pitcher from the mound to a base goes into a stand or a bench, or over or through a fence or backstop. The ball is dead. 4.1.4 One base if the batter becomes a runner on ball four when ball becomes stuck in equipment or any fencing. Note: if the batter becomes a runner on a wild pitch which entitles the runners to advance one base, the batter shall be entitled to first base only.

4.2.0 Base Runner / Runner on Third Base Rules:

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4.2.1 Lead offs and stealing second and third base are allowed. 4.2.2 Lead offs from third base are allowed; however, stealing home is not allowed. 4.2.3 A runner may go home only if a play is made on him, including a fake pick-off throw. A pitch does not constitute a play on the runner. 4.2.4 A runner on third base cannot score on a balk, a pitched ball lodged in the backstop or a pitched ball or passed ball that enters the dugout. 4.2.5 A runner stealing second or third base may attempt to continue home as a continuation of that particular play, provided third base was unoccupied at the start of the play. 4.2.6 The batter may attempt to reach first base on a dropped third strike; however, first base must be unoccupied regardless of the number of outs.

4.3.0 Sliding Rules

4.3.1 When advancing a base the base runner must slide if a play is being made on him. An automatic out will be called for failure to observe this rule. This rule applies to second base, third base and home plate. 4.3.2 No head-first sliding is allowed at any base, including first base. This rule does not apply to base runners returning to the base they are on to avoid being picked-off by the pitcher.

5.0.0 PERSONNEL RULES

5.1.0 All players not officially on the field must be seated in the dugout at all times.

5.2.0 The following are the only persons permitted in the dugout: 5.2.1 The Manager 5.2.2 Two Coaches 5.2.3 Players 5.2.4 One batboy 5.2.5 One Scorekeeper

5.3.0 No players are allowed to stand behind the backstop.

5.4.0 Any player "taunting" or using abusive language to other players, coaches, managers, or umpires will be ejected from the game by the umpire or removed from the game by his manager.

5.5.0 Any player flagrantly abusing equipment will be ejected from the game by the umpire immediately.

5.6.0 An ejected player, coach, or manager is also not eligible to participate in his team's next game. Two ejections will lead to automatic suspension from the league. Umpires and managers must report ejection's to the commissioners. A coach or manager ejected from a game must remove himself from the field.

5.7.0 Coaches are strongly urged to make sure each boy plays with full uniform (BMC cap/jersey and baseball pants).

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5.8.0 Any manager or coach abusing a player by words, actions, or manners will be expelled from the game and may be dismissed from the league.

5.9.0 Any manager or coach appearing at a game under the influence of drugs or alcohol will be expelled from the league.

5.10.0 Any abusive language or actions by a coach or manager directed toward the umpire will result in automatic suspension from the league.

5.11.0 No smoking is permitted by any coach or manager during a game.

5.12.0 Any player struck in the head (direct and severe) by a pitched, thrown or batted ball must be taken out of the game. This rule is meant for the protection of the player. If a player is "grazed" by a ball he may remain in the game. If either the player's manager or an umpire deem that the player was struck direct and severe the player will be removed from the game. NO GAME IS WORTH RISKING THE HEALTH OF A PLAYER.

5.13.0 No manager or coach is to teach rough or "professional" tactics which can easily result in injury. Any player using such tactics may, at the umpire's discretion, be ejected.

5.14.0 The League Commissioners, the Director, Secretary and Treasurer of Bay Men's Club Baseball also have jurisdiction to enforce any or all of these Personnel Rules.

6.0.0 ALL STAR GAME

6.1.0 Managers and coaches will select the four players making the greatest overall contribution to the team.

6.2.0. The game will consist of 7 innings.

6.3.0. No pitcher will pitch more than one inning.

6.4.0. Each player will play at least 4 innings defensively.

6.5.0. Other rules apply as normal.

6.6.0. Makeup of rosters will be up to the discretion of the league commissioner.

Revised 4/23/2009

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