LCYO Mustang Division

2006 Spring Mustang Rules

“Pony Baseball Rules and Regulations” will be followed with the following exceptions.

1.        No top of the inning shall begin after 2 hours from the first pitch.  A complete game shall be 6 innings or 2 hours time played.  Any inning beginning before the 2 hr time limit is reached shall be completed; unless the coaches agree that the home team shall not bat in the bottom of the inning (see also rule 6 below).

2.        Lead offs will be allowed at first base only.  When a pitcher balks, attempting to hold the runner at first, a warning (with an explanation to the coach and pitcher) will be issued during the first five weeks of the season without limit.  After week five, the pitcher and coach will be given a warning the first time a balk is called.  After one warning, runners will be awarded second base (if open) when a balk is called.  Runners on second and third will not advance in the event of a balk.  No lead off at second or third base until the pitch crosses home plate.

3.        No player shall sit on the bench 2 consecutive innings.  No player shall sit more than 2 innings in any game lasting 6 innings or less.  No player shall sit twice before everyone else has sat at least once.

4.        All players MUST play at least two innings at an infield position in a six-inning game.

5.        All players shall be in the batting order.

6.        No “Mercy Rule”.  The game will continue even if one team is 10 or more runs ahead.  Umpires will be instructed that the intent of this rule is to maximize playing time for all players, and therefore games shall continue (unless called by Coaches) until time limit or maximum innings are reached, even if winner is already determined and other team "can't catch up."

7.        A batting helmet with a faceguard is to remain on the player while on the base paths.

8.        Players are to remain in the dugout during the game, except for the on-deck batter and in players warming up in the bullpen area.

9.        Only coaches are allowed on the field.

10.     A team must have start with at least 8 players or the game shall be forfeited.

11.     Only 5 runs per inning will be counted.  A team can have any number of batters until 5 runs are scored or 3 outs are made.

12.     No dropped third strike rule.

13.     The home team is the official scorekeeper.

14.     No player may pitch more than 2 innings in any single game.  Pitchers may only pitch in consecutive innings i.e.… a pitcher may not pitch one inning, be removed and then pitch again later in the game.  One pitch thrown is considered an inning for eligibility purposes.

15.     Each team MUST use a minimum of 4 pitchers for a 6-inning game and no more than 2 pitchers may pitch more than 1 inning in that game.

16.     Field Maintenance.  Home team drags and waters the field, takes fences down when the game is over.  Visitors setup the bases, line the     field, install the fences and put the equipment away when the game is over.

17.     Field Usage. 

Infield practice:             Home team 10 minutes before the game, Visitors 20 minutes before the game.

Batting cage: Home team 30 minutes before the game, Visitors 15 minutes before the game.

Bullpen:                         Home team 10 minutes before the game, Visitors 20 minutes before the game.

18.     If a player throws the bat while hitting they will be issued a warning the first time this happens, if the same      player throws the bat whether in the same at bat or their next at bat they will be called out. The third time that this happens in a game the player will not be allowed to bat again for that game, but they may play a defensive position.

19.     No intentional walks.

20.     No curve balls are allowed.  Fastballs and change-ups are allowed.  If the umpire suspects a curve ball is being thrown, we will warn the pitcher and the manager.  If the manager states that it is not a curve and a change-up instead, the umpire will allow the pitch to continue to be thrown.  It is difficult to determine the difference sometimes, so we will allow the manager to confirm that the pitch is not a curve.

21.  There is "no straight stealing of third or home".  In a stealing situation, runners at second and third can attempt to advance only if either the catcher mishandles the pitch (pass ball) or the pitcher mishandles the return throw from the catcher.  If the pitch is caught cleanly by the catcher and the pitcher catches the return throw cleanly, a base runner from either second or third may not advance yet a play can still be made on him.  If a runner tries to advance in a non-mishandled situation, he will be warned and has to return to the base he came from.  If that same runner is in violation of this rule again in the same game, he will be called out.