Balcones Fault League Rules

Balcones Fault League Rules Baseball Pony Baseball Inc. THE LINE UP Pony Baseball is the administrative organization for a group of organization leagues providing baseball for players from 4 through 19 years of age. These are: League Age Baseline Pitching Shetland 4,5, and 6 50 feet --------- Pinto 7 and 8 60 feet 38 feet Mustang 9 and 10 60 feet 46 feet Bronco 11 and 12 70 feet 50 feet Pony 13 and 14 80 feet 54 feet Colt 15 and 16 90 feet 60-½ feet Palomino 17,18 and 19 90 feet 60-½ feet Shetland League focuses totally on instruction of beginning players. Batting tee recommended. Pinto League teaches the basic fundamentals of baseball. Coach-pitch recommended. Mustang League begins the players training in the complete game of baseball. Tournament play is completed through World Series level. Bronco League and Pony League take the developing young players into the full game of baseball, with o restrictions of base stealing, and tournament play complete through World Series level. Colt League and Palomino League provide players and opportunity players an opportunity to complete against their peers in regulation baseball though the World Series level. Pony and therefore Balcones will be regulated by MLB Game Rules. SHETLAND and PINTO: Entire roster present for game shall bat in rotation. Open defensive substitutes. MUSTANG, BRONCO, and PONY: Each player must play a minimum of 12 consecutive outs per game be it a fulllength game. All substitutes shall be entered into each game prior to the first out of the next to last inning of a full-length game. Penalty to not get the player(s) in the full-length game for those12 consecutive outs will be suspension of the head coach for 4 consecutive games. The head coach will be responsible to see that all players are afforded the correct playing time. For all games that are not full-length games, the player(s) will start the next game. Violation of this rule a second time in the same season may result in the head coach s removal from coaching for that year. 1

SHETLAND BASEBALL: PINTO BASEBALL: Shall be six (6) innings, unless the home team is leading and doesn t need its half of the final inning. Teams shall NOT score more than 5 runs per inning, except in the 6 th or extra inning where they may score 10 runs. Game is considered over when it is mathematically impossible for a team to catch up in the 6 th inning. Shall be six (6) innings, unless the home team is leading and doesn t need its half of the final inning if the home team is leading unless called because of 10 run rule. Teams shall NOT score more than 5 runs per inning, except in the 6 th or extra innings, which is open. PINTO and MUSTANG BASEBALL: MUSTANG BASEBALL: If the visiting team is leading by at least 10 runs at the end of 4 or more complete innings, the game shall be declared complete and the visiting team will be declared the winner. If the home team is leading by at least 10 runs after the visiting team has completed batting in the 4 th or later the home team will be declared the winner. Shall be six (6) innings, unless the home team is leading and doesn t need its half of the final inning. Teams shall NOT score more than 7 runs per inning.. BRONCO and PONY BASEBALL: Shall be seven (7) innings, unless the home team is leading and doesn t need its half of the final inning. Teams shall NOT score more than 7 runs per inning. BRONCO and PONY BASEBALL: If the visiting team is leading by at least 10 runs at the end of 5 or more completed innings, the game shall be declared complete and the visiting team shall be declared the winner. If the home team is leading by at least 10 runs after the visiting team has completed batting in the 5 th or later the home team will be declared the winner. SHETLAND and PINTO BASEBALL: MUSTANG BASEBALL: Shall be no longer than 1hour (1:00). Shall be no longer than 1 hour 30 minutes (1:30). 2

BRONCO and PONY BASEBALL: Shall be no longer than 1 hour 45 minutes (1:45). No new inning shall start after 1 hour 35 minutes (1:35) The Texas Tie Breaker Rule will determine any tied game. (*see details*) * Any tied game will continue to be played until a winner is determined, regardless of the innings or time limits. * Definition of a Postponed and/or Make-Up Game: A. A game that is rescheduled to be played in its entirety at a later date. Definition of a Rainout Game: A. A game that is rescheduled as a make-up game (if less than the required complete innings have been played) due to inclement weather Definition of a Suspended Game: A. In baseball, a game that is rescheduled to be continued in play from the exact point of suspension (after the required complete innings with the score tied) of the original game. 1. Rosters must be turned in before the start of the game. The line-up shall contain the first or last name, defensive position and uniform number of each player. All available substitutes should be listed in the designated place by their last name or first name and uniform number. Any player(s) who is/are running late or that may not show up will be discussed during the meeting between the coaches and umpires and a decision to add or delete from the roster will be made without an appeal. Any player disciplinary sanctions imposed and approved by the local affiliate for whom the child is playing should also be discussed at this meeting. A team member should not be removed from the roster without the approval of the local affiliate board. 2. A previously subbed player may re-enter a game to replace an injured player if all of the players have already played. Refer to PONY rules regarding substitutions for additional information. 3. In case of identical win-loss records, this includes all in-zone and out of zone games, the following tiebreaker methods will be used: A. First: The overall record will be used. In case of identical overall record the teams head to head records will be used. If both teams are tied using there head to head record there in zone record will be used. In the event that the teams remain tied after the three methods listed a single playoff game will be played to determine the 3

league champion and/or runner up team. The winning team serves as the league champion. The losing team would go as the runner up (if applicable). *Subject to change following zoning allocations each year. 4. Drafting: The local league President/Vice President, a local board member and the head coaches that are involved in the drafting process shall be the only persons that will be allowed in the draft room. The coach and assistant coach must be determined PRIOR to the player draft. Player's will be allowed to play up one (1) age division as long as it is permissible with parent(s)/guardian and the local league. Player's will not be allowed to move up if it will cause the team in the age division they should be playing to not form a team. No team shall be allowed to protect more than TWO (2) players in an S draft procedure (see details). A "protected player" is defined as a player who is not subject to an open draft AND is the child of the head coach and/or the first assistant coach. If the head coach or first assistant coach (new or existing) has a son or daughter playing on the team, it is mandatory that such players be included as protected players. A protected player shall maintain this status as long as he/she remains on a team roster in the same age division, this includes if the head coach/ assistance coach does not return. This rule will apply to all age divisions. A completed Protected Player Parent Permission form must be presented to the league President/Representative at the Draft. Any player not included/signed for on the permission form will not be allowed as a protected player on that team. Player's that were on a team from the previous year and are still of the correct age to play in that same division can return to the same team as a returning player. Teams will have no more than eight (8) players who are the maximum league age. If a head coach or first assistant coach (new or existing) has a son/daughter playing on that team, that child will be considered a protected player. Those players who have to move up because of age will be placed in the draft in the new age division that they are eligible for if a draft is necessary. Each head coach will be given a list of the players returning to his/her team from the previous year. Each head coach will receive a list of all players in the current draft. The Balcones Fault League Draft Form (Attachment A) will be completed in its entirety. No player trades will be permitted. Local bylaws cannot supersede this rule. Selection of Players and Player Agreement No player may play in two (2) different divisions (age and/or red/blue) in any one (1) season with the exception of those who would be high school eligible. Those players are allowed to play in two different divisions. 4

Brothers, Sisters, Stepbrothers, Stepsisters will be assigned to the same team. In the initial selection of players not assigned to a team, players will be selected from the entire group eligible to play in such league, rather than by age group. All prospective players must sign up by the deadline date in order to be considered to play. Anyone signing up after the deadline date will not be allowed to play unless they are moving into a league boundary. For those who move into a new boundary area will be assigned to the team with the fewest members, with the exception of those whom might be of the maximum age and there is not room for a maximum age player on that team. Returning team players will go back to their existing team if the returning team is allowed to form. Those teams who have three (3) players returning or two (2) returning siblings plus two (2) other players will be considered a returning team. If the team falls below these numbers those players will go back into the draft, move up an age group or be placed on a team in that division that will have enough space and players to forma team. If space is not available they will go on a waiting list for that team only. Any player that signs up after a play day becomes a hat pick. Order of Draft Selection Teams will draft in the reverse order of winning from the previous season. This will permit the last place team to have first draft status. In the event of a tie for last place status, the tied teams will determine first draft by the toss of a coin. Newly established teams will pick first with no coin flip unless the league incorporates more than one (1) new team in any given year. Head coaches and first assistant coaches who have a son/daughter eligible for the draft in the same division that they are coaching will automatically have their son/daughter placed in the first and second round draft placement by the league official in charge of the draft. The only exception to this rule will be if there is a domestic problem and a parent has turned in a written request that states the child cannot be coached by the parent who is coaching. A team may only have two (2) protected players on a team during any given year. This means if two (2) players were protected last year and those players are age eligible in the same division and return to the same division, the team may not protect any players in the current year. All eligible prospective players who have met all deadline dates and guidelines and are not protected will be placed on team by means of a draft conducted each year prior to the beginning of play if necessary. An eligible team member is defined as an individual who has not been assigned to a team in the league. 5

Eligible players will be drafted until each team s roster is filled. Remaining players will be placed on a waiting list, afforded the opportunity to go to the next closest PONY league/town or have their sign up fee returned. Team rosters will be limited to a maximum of fifteen (15) players. Local Leagues will have the option to create a new team when there have been more than twelve (12) players signed up in a division. Every attempt should be made to develop the new team. If the local league cannot form another team, the league will assign all registrants up to the maximum number of fifteen (15) players to the roster in the order of sign up date and time. All players must participate in at least 50% of the scheduled games, unless for medical reasons, to be ALLSTAR eligible 5. Batter, base runner, on deck players and bat boys/girls must wear protective headgear with ear protectors. Player(s) who coach must wear protective headgear when coaching bases. 6. A 4th coach may be added for PINTO Baseball. 7. PINTO BASEBALL The pitcher player must have both feet completely inside the circle (a foot on the chalk is considered inside the circle and behind the pitcher s plate. The first warning for not having both feet completely inside the pitching circle and/or behind the pitcher s plate will result in a no pitch on the batter. Upon the second warning to the pitcher for not keeping both feet inside the pitching circle and/or behind the pitcher s plate, the pitcher will be removed from the defensive pitching position in the infield and not allowed back in that position for the rest of the game 8. MUSTANG BASEBALL is OPEN base. 9. MUSTANG, BRONCO, and PONY BASEBALL A. Refer to PONY RULEBOOK for pitching rules. High school BALK rule will be in effect. (Balks will be considered immediate dead ball) 10. Regular standard baseball equipment including bats, baseballs, uniforms, gloves, bases, pitching plate and home plate will be used for t ball. See PONY RULEBOOK for the complete details regarding equipment for boy s t ball. 11. For each individual age division see PONY RULEBOOK for requirements on TEAM EQUIPMENT. 12. It is permissible and will be an option to all local leagues in MUSTANG, BRONCO, and PONY Baseball to use an Extra Hitter Position. The EH position may bat anywhere in the lineup. The EH position may not change in the batting order once the game has started. This, in effect, will cause these divisions to bat ten (10) positions. Those players who are in the EH position are eligible to go into the game as a defensive player one time. Those players assigned to the EH 6

position will accrue their consecutive outs while assigned to that position. You must start the game and finish the game with the EH position if the EH position is utilized. You may not insert the EH position once the game has started. 13. Excuses to cancel and/or reschedule games are to be accepted for rained ballparks and local school conflicts and only where it affects the team in question. All reasonable efforts should be made to play games when and where they were scheduled. It will be at the discretion of the home team coach and an authorized local representative to decide if any other excuses warrant rescheduling of the game. The home team should call visitors regarding rain out games within 36 hours of the game. Head Coaches will be responsible for calling. The home teams head coach is responsible for rescheduling make up games as soon as possible within the regular schedule within 72 hours of the game that was postponed/canceled. It will be the responsibility of the home team coach to reschedule any postponed/ canceled games by contacting the visiting coach and rescheduling representative, as listed in the BFL contact sheet. Leaving a message does not ensure the canceling/rescheduling of a game. Coaches are required to actually speak to the opposing coach or rescheduling representative. If unable to get the game rescheduled within 72 hours, the league president will set the date. Failure to play the rescheduled game set by the league president will result in a forfeit of that game by the team that fails to show up. It is permissible to play one (1) rescheduled game per week in addition to the possible two (2) regularly scheduled games. Refer to PONY rules for pitching guidelines of each division for innings allowed per week in the Mustang, Bronco, and Pony. 14. Protest: There are three (3) types of protest: 1. Misinterpretation of Rules. 2. Illegal Player. 3. Ineligible Player. A. All protests and disputes during the regular season of league play will be reviewed by the B.F.L. President, Vice President and the two league presidents involved. If the decision rendered is appealed an arbitration committee will be formed. B. A protest which may arise from misinterpretation of playing rules will be made by notifying the Umpire-In-Chief and the coach of the opposing team at the time of the occurrence and before the next legal pitch that the game is being played under protest. The protester will then submit the protest in writing to the local league President within twenty-four (24) hours after the game in question. This written protest will be accompanied by a valid check or money order in the amount of fifty dollars, ($50.00) made payable to the local league where the protest occurred. Failure to submit a written protest when filing a protest will be an invalid protest. This money will be returned if the protest is found to be valid. The money will go to the local league if the protest is not found to be valid. The Balcones Fault League President, Vice President, and the UIC s will review all protest. If the ruling of the protest does not solve the problem, the protester will have the ability to forward his protest to the Balcones Fault League Board. The decision of the Balcones Fault League Board 7

C. A league President who manages and/or coaches a team in PONY cannot serve or rule on a protest committee in the age division he/she is coaching 15. Smoking, dipping or chewing of any form of tobacco, and/or firearms will not be allowed on the playing field while a game is in progress. Cell phones and/ or cell phone use will not be allowed on the playing fields or dugouts while a game is in progress by anyone. 16. A team with seven (7) or fewer players must forfeit the game. 17. A team with eight (8) players WILL NOT be required to place an automatic out within its batting order. If a team s player arrives late into the game, he/she must be substituted into the batting order and field position as prescribed by rules. This rule applies to Balcones Fault League play only. If a team starts with eight (8) players they have to finish with at least eight (8) players. If for some reason one team should drop to seven (7) players during a game, that team will forfeit the game. *This rule not in affect at PONY tournaments. 18. Umpires must be at least eighteen (18) years of age or certified by a local/state umpiring organization (A.S.A. or T.A.S.O.). Local leagues should select the most qualified umpires possible. A tournament director shall not umpire in any tournament game. There must be a minimum of two (2) umpires per game. In the 6u and 8u divisions at leased one of the two umpires shall be certified by a local/state umpiring organization. In all 10u, 12u, 14u boys and 15u girls both umpires shall be certified by a local/state umpiring organization. If an umpire is absent, delayed or cannot finish the game, a local league official shall appoint a responsible substitute to complete the game. 19. No jewelry (earrings, watches, rings, wristbands, etc.) may be worn by ANY player (Boy or Girl) during a game. For persons wearing a medical alert bracelet/necklace or non-removable ring, these should be taped prior to game time. 20. Face masks must be worn by anyone warming up a pitcher on the field, inside or outside of the fence. No town can waive this rule. 21. All prospective players must register on the Balcones Fault League Official Registration Form (Attachment B). Balcones Fault League will specify, each season, an absolute final registration date for close of registration. No registrations are to be accepted by any town after that date. One week will be allowed for late registrations/team completion, as well as placing players over cap in other leagues if necessary. No drafts are to be conducted prior to the final registration close date. 22. A player must play in the designated boundary line area (Balcones Fault League recognizes the Independent School District lines as the official designated boundary line area) of which he/she lives or play where he/she attends school as long as a team or league is offered in the player s age division. If a team or league is not offered, the player may play in the next closest PONY affiliate that offers the age division. If a player registers with a league in the boundary line area that he/she lives or attends school before the deadline ends for registration and that 8

league is full and the player does not have a place to go to on any team, then that player may play in the town or adjacent boundary line area that is most near where he/she lives. If the player registers after the deadline for registration in the boundary line area in which he/she lives or attends school, the player is ineligible to play elsewhere. A player, who chooses to play in a boundary line area where he/she attends school but outside the area where he/she lives, must remain in this chosen area as long as they play in the current PONY age division. 23. Local league rules and by-laws will not supersede the rules of Balcones Fault League. 24. Coaches who are ejected from any game for any reason will be relieved from their coaching assignment immediately pending review by the BFL President, Vice President, UIC s and he towns presidents involved. 25. Any team/coach intentionally and/or willingly failing to complete/play all scheduled games shall be suspended from coaching in the Balcones Fault League for a period of one league year. 26. B.F.L Umpire Representatives will have the right to review umpires that have had excess complaints filed against them. 27. It is the responsibility of each town to maintain medical insurance on their players prior to first league game. Coverage should extend through tournament play for those qualifying. 28. Failure to comply with the rules may lead to sanctions, up to and including, forfeiture of game(s) and/or suspension/termination of coaching privileges up to and including being banned from the Balcones Fault League. ( Details : Texas Tie Breaker Rule ) Visitor team will put the last two batters from previous inning on 2 nd and 3 rd base with one out. No count on the batter. They will continue to bat and score as many runs as possible before the third out occurs. Home team will then do the same. Continue this format until a winner is determined. 9

10