LBC Shetland Division 2018 Rules 1. Playing Fields A. Base distance is 50 feet. Pitching distance is 38 feet. B. Home Team supplies 2 game balls (supplied by LBC). 2. Equipment A. The safety baseball shall be used. B. Wooden, metal, graphite or ceramic bats which are round and not more than 2-5/8 inches in diameter at the thickest part, not more than 42 inches in length, are acceptable. No bat shall be used if dented, cracked, modified or misshaped. 1) Bats specifically made for tee ball, shall not be used when the ball is pitched by a player, coach, or pitching machine. Coach-pitch bats will only be used in coach-pitch using a safety ball. Penalty: removal of bat only. If using a tee ball bat manufactured prior to 2018, these bats must carry the USA Baseball mark accompanied by the text: "Only For Use With Approved Tee Ball Bat. You can purchase the sticker from USABB and place it on your bat. 2) In conjunction with USA Baseball, PONY Baseball has adopted the New USA Baseball bat standard (USABat). With the exception of the -3 bat (BBCOR certified), all other 2-5/8 inch minus factor bats (-5, -7, -9 etc.) and 2-1/4" bats must be certified with the USABat licensing stamp on the bat in order to be used for league and tournament play. 2-1/4" Barrel bats are
legal in all divisions of PONY Baseball except COLT 16U, PALOMINO 18U and THOROBRED 23U. 3) 2-5/8" barrel bats are legal in all divisions of PONY Baseball. If the bat is -3, it must be BBCOR certified (stamped on the bat). All other minus factor bats (-5, -7, -9, etc.) must be certified with USABat licensing mark stamped on the bat. 4) 2-3/4" barrel bats are prohibited in all divisions of PONY Baseball. 5) COLT 16U and PALOMINO 18U are only allowed to use 2-5/8" -3 BBCOR certified bats. C. Rubber soled or rubber cleated shoes are permitted. D. Batters, players in the on-deck area, baserunners and players coaching in the base coaching boxes must wear protective headgear (helmet) that protects the top of the head, temples, ears and base of scull and must be NOCSAE approved. Adult base coaches are encouraged to wear helmet while on the field. 1) Mask and chin strap on protective headgear is recommended. 2) No decal other than the player's name, number, team name or logo shall be permitted on helmet. Headgear violation will be removed from play. E. Catchers are required to wear proper protective equipment including a mask with throat guard, chest protector, shin guards, athletic supporter with cup and NOCSAE approved catchers helmet. Hockey style masks are acceptable, mask
extensions are not needed. Any player warming up a pitcher must wear a mask. F. Male players are encouraged to wear athletic supporter with cup. G. Baseball cap and t-shirt or conventional baseball uniforms may be worn. H. No jewelry shall be worn by players except for medical identification. Jewelry is defined as "any ornaments for personal adornment, including but not limited to, necklaces, earrings, bracelets, including those made of base metals, glass, plastic, rubber, cloth, leather or the like." Sweatbands are allowed. I. Cell phones, pagers, or any other communication device J. cannot be used on the field of play with the exception of medical devices. Laptop computers and tablets may be used in the dugout for scorekeeping purposes but must have wireless communications disabled. K. Tampering with or altering any equipment of any kind for the purpose of gaining an advantage will not be tolerated. Penalty for violation will be disciplinary actions to expulsion from LBC. 3. Playing Rules A. The official playing rules, with the exceptions and variations contained here, are from the Official Rules of Major League Baseball and PONY Baseball. B. Bat the entire lineup. Play continues until 3 outs or the entire lineup has batted.
C. Outfielders play 15 feet behind the baseline. D. Batters may not bunt. It will be ruled a strike. E. Runners may not steal bases. If ball is in play runner is out. if not return runner to the base. F. No infield fly rule. G. Free substitution on defense. H. When the ball comes into the possession of an infielder and plays on the runners have ceased, it shall be called TIME and the ball returned to the plate. 4. Pitching Rules A. Players may not actually pitch. B. Players playing the pitching position must have one foot on the pitching rubber until after the batter hits the ball. 5. Length of Games A. Games will be 5 innings or 1hour and 15 minutes. B. If a game is called for any reason it will be complete after 4 innings are played. C. Once a game is stopped for lightning it may not resume for 30 minutes. 6. Scorekeeping A. Home team is the official scorebook. 7. Managers and Coaches A. Adult coaches, if properly dressed in full uniform, or league approved attire, may be used in the first and third base coaching boxes. Shetland 6U may have two adult coaches on the playing field, beyond the baselines, to give verbal instructions to their players on defense.
B. Players, managers and coaches shall remain in the dugouts, on the benches or in the prescribed areas throughout the game. They are not allowed behind the backstop. C. The use of tobacco, including E-cigarettes or any other smoking devices, alcohol or illegal drugs in any form by players, coaches, adult leaders and spectators is not permitted. 8. General Conduct A. Players, all adult volunteers and spectators who engage in unsportsmanlike conduct, including but not limited to fighting, abusive language or tone, derogatory activity, shall be suspended for one or more games and will not be tolerated. B. Anyone suspended must meet with a Lakewood Baseball Club Decision Committee prior to reinstatement. The rulings of the Decision Committee are final.