Spring 2006 LCYO Bronco Rules

“Pony Baseball Rules and Regulations” will be followed with the exceptions noted below:

1.      A complete regular season game shall be 7 innings, with the following time limit: No top of inning shall begin after 2 hours 10 minutes from the first pitch and no game may extend beyond 2 hours 20 minutes. In the playoffs, all games shall be 7 innings unless the Mercy rule is applied after the 5^th inning.  Home team scorekeeper should note the official start time. The Home team scorekeeper is the official scorekeeper.

2.      Full lead-offs at all bases, dropped third strikes, and infield fly rule shall be in effect. Stealing of second or third base is allowed.  NO STRAIGHT STEALS OF HOME are allowed. If a straight steal of home is attempted the runner will be out.

3.      Balks: Each pitcher who balks will be warned by the umpire with no other penalties. A second balk call with the same pitcher will result in a base being awarded.

4.      A slide or avoid contact rule shall be in effect at all times.  Any  violation of this rule by a base-runner shall result in the runner being called out if he was otherwise safe, and possible ejection of the player at the discretion of the umpire.

5.      A maximum of 4 runs per inning may be scored by any one team.  A team may have any number of batters per inning until 4 runs are scored or 3 outs are recorded, whichever comes first. In the playoffs the final inning will be an open inning.

6.      No player shall sit on the bench during 2 consecutive defensive innings. No player shall sit twice before every player has sat out at least once.

7.      Each player must play an infield position at least one full inning by the end of the fifth inning. Infield positions include: P, C, 1B, 2B, SS, & 3B.

8.      All players shall be in the batting order at all times. No Metal cleats may be worn by players.

9.      No player may pitch more than 2 innings in any single game during the regular season. No Player may pitch more than 3 innings in a single game during the play-offs. The innings pitched must be consecutive (once a pitcher is removed from that position, he may not return to the pitching position.       

10.   No “Mercy Rule”.  Regular season games will continue even if one team is 10 or more runs ahead.  The intent of this rule is to maximize playing time for all players. A game shall not end just because a winner has been determined and the other team "can't catch up." A  Mercy Rule will be in effect in the Playoffs whereby the game will end if a team falls behind by 10 or  more runs after their at bat in the fifth inning.

11.  Players are to remain in the dugout during the game, except for the on-deck batter and players warming up in the bullpen area. Catchers warming up pitchers must wear a mask. Team may pinch run for next innings catcher using last batter to make an out to speed up transition to next inning.

12.  The only coaches allowed on the field or dugout will be coaches/sponsors that have been approved by the league and that have been through the screening by the Police Department.

13.  The home team (listed first on schedule) shall be responsible for ensuring that bases are in place, and the field is dragged. The visiting team should chalk the foul lines. Field preparation must be completed at least 30 min prior to the start of the game.  After the final game of the day , the home team  shall put the bases and all other equipment away (move portable mounds to side of field at Poinsettia and Stagecoach)