Pinto Playing Rules 2007 - Schedule
1. Any child who has attained the age of seven prior to May 1ST of that particular year, or who has not reached the age of nine by May 1ST of that particular year will be eligible for Pinto league, as per Pony Baseball. Any 6 year-old players are ineligible for All-Star teams.
2. The league will supply uniform tops and baseball hats (these are not returned to the park - the kids keep). Parents supply baseball pants, baseball gloves and shoes (sneakers are acceptable). No separate stirrups are allowed. One-piece sock & stirrups are allowed. Plain white socks are also allowed if desired. Athletic cup is mandatory.
3. All official start times will be per the division schedule. The coaches will start the game. The one hour forty-five minute time limit begins with the official start of the game. The only allowed delay in the official starting time will be when the umpire is late or if there is a rain delay. The coaches will be responsible for keeping official times. A maximum of six innings will be played. If the score is tied after six innings, the game is over. There are no extra innings. Teams must play through the time limit. An inning shall not start after the 1:45 time limit has expired.
4. Each team will play the regular season with no standings. Order of finish will be determined by an in-house tournament at the end of the regular season.
5. Playing Time – Regular Season - A player shall not sit out more than one inning per game. If a player consistently misses practices/games, then that player can sit a maximum of two innings per game. (Manager – if this occurs, please explain to the parents why their child is sitting more than one inning that game).
Tournament - A player may not sit out more than two innings per game.
6. There will only be one umpire at the Pinto level who will be a coach or parent. The home team coach is responsible to get 2 baseballs from the concession stand. The two coaches will decide who is to umpire the game. The umpire is to stand behind the pitcher to call balls and strikes and ump the bases. After the game, the 2 baseballs need to be returned to the concession stand and the umpire(s) need to record their time umpped (1/2 game or full game).
7. The line up cards will be exchanged at home plate prior to the start of the game. At this time, the two coaches should inform the umpire, if a parent, of “Whiteford Rules” (i.e. coach pitch rules). Ten players are used in the field (4 outfielders, 4 infielders, pitcher and catcher).
8. Batting rotations will be continuous from the beginning of the game, including the entire roster. If a player becomes sick or is injured, his/her turn at bat may be skipped with no penalty. A player who arrives late will be inserted at the bottom of the line up.
9. No team shall score more than five runs in one inning. If there are less than three outs when five runs are scored, the teams shall change sides.
SIXTH INNING = MAXIMUM 8 RUNS.
10. Pitching rules:
a. The balk rule will not be enforced at this level of play.
b. A pitcher may not pitch more than two innings per game or four innings per week.
c. One pitch constitutes an inning pitched.
d. The calendar week is from 12:01 a.m. Monday to 12 midnight the following
Sunday.
e. The forty hour rest rule will apply when a pitcher has pitched in two innings in a
game.
f. A maximum of two walks may be pitched per team per inning.
1. The walks do not have to be in succession.
2. A player that takes a base for getting hit by the ball pitched by a youth pitcher is
not included as a walk.
g. Upon each additional walk pitched by a youth pitcher (after two per inning):
1. The team at bat will supply an adult to take the field and complete pitching to the
batter
a. The adult pitcher must pitch from the pitching rubber (standing or kneeling).
2. At this point the batters count will return to 0 and 0.
3. The adult pitcher will pitch to the batter until the batter hits, or strikes out on
count or swings.
4. A batter may not be awarded first base via walk or hit by pitch while being
pitched to by an adult pitcher.
5. After a batter hits or strikes out (while being pitched to by an adult) and play on
the field stops, the adult pitcher will exit the field, and the game will resume
until the next walk is pitched and adult assistance is required.
h. At no time may the adult pitcher intentionally interfere with game play by coming
in contact with the ball or an opposing player.
i. A youth pitcher may pitch a maximum of two consecutive innings in one game.
j. A youth pitcher may not return as a pitcher after being removed even if they have
not completed two innings.
k. Youth and adult pitchers may not wear white long sleeve shirts while pitching.
l. Youth and adult pitchers may not wear batting gloves on their throwing hand while
pitching.
m. A youth pitcher must be removed from the mound if he/she has hit three batters in
one inning.
11. The infield fly rule does not apply.
12. Catchers are to be in full gear. They may use their own fielder’s glove if desired. The catchers must squat properly (not kneeling) to avoid injury.
13. The home team is the official scorer.
14. Runners may not lead off.
15. Runners may not advance on overthrows from the infield.
16. On a ball hit to the outfield, runners may advance until the ball is physically in the infield. Once the ball has reached the infield, the runner must stop at the base he/she was going to. If the runner fails to stop, the umpire or base coaches will send the runner back to the appropriate base.
17. Time outs may be called at any time by the manager (unlimited – please don’t abuse).
18. When a player is injured on the field, play will automatically be stopped. No player may advance from the position they were in at the time of the injury.
19. Rain delays will be fifteen minutes. If the game cannot be resumed within fifteen minutes, the home plate umpire may call the game. The game will be considered official if three innings have been completed or if the home team is leading after two and one half innings. The decision to call/suspend the game will rest with the umpires.
20. Rescheduling of games will be as follows:
· Weekday rainouts will be re-scheduled on the next available date
· Saturday rainouts will be played on the following Sunday (1 week and 1 day later).
Note: The Pinto Commissioner will have the official schedule. All questions and clarifications should be directed to him.
21. Coaches will be allowed on the field for the first six games to provide instruction and support. They may walk along the outside perimeter of the infield in the outfield grass. Two coaches maximum.
22. Games will not be rescheduled for lack of players. Try to play the game instead of forfeiting. The team with less than 10 defensive players may request players from the team at bat to be used in the outfield for defense only. Absolutely under no circumstances may a non-Whiteford child play as a substitute.
23. For the first game on Saturday’s, both coaches are responsible for preparing the field.
(Lining the field, bases, dragging or raking, etc…)
24. Each team will clean up their dugout and their side of the field after each game.
25. No smoking will be allowed on the playing field, or in the dugouts.
26. At the conclusion of each game, both teams are responsible to pack the pitchers
mound and batters box if needed. If your game is the last game of the day on your
field, the bases must be pulled and put away.
27. The Home team manager is responsible for calling the Herald News @ 729-6040
with the game results. This is important!!! Managers should meet after the game to verify which manager will be calling in the game results (include team sponsor names and 2-3 players from each team). Try to work in every player on your team at some point during the season.
28. Managers and coaches are expected to conduct themselves with respect toward
their players, fellow coaches, umpires and fans. Repeated misconduct in this
regard may result in dismissal from coaching duties by the Board of Directors/and
or the League Conference Commissioner.
Note: Please encourage the kids to buy their post game treats from the concession stand instead of bringing treats from home to be passed out.