SW PONY League Rules

Rules governing play in Southwest Seattle PONY Baseball games shall be as stated in Official Baseball Rules (OBR), except as amended by PONY Rules issued by the National PONY Baseball Organization as they pertain to the respective Divisions (Bronco, Pony, Colt and Palomino) of PONY leagues. Southwest Seattle PONY Baseball has adopted the following amendments, as allowed by PONY Rules, as Article VII in the League By-Laws for League games:

Bull Pens

• In the absence of a fenced-off area to warm up pitchers, each Manager will be responsible for the safety of players and spectators while warming up pitchers preparing to enter the game.
• Any bull pen catcher who is in the knee-down or squat position must wear a catcher’s mask and a groin-cup.

Pitch Counts

• The manager must remove the pitcher when said pitcher reaches the limit for his/her age group as noted below, but the pitcher may remain in the game at another position.

League Age

17-18 = 85 pitches per day

15-16 = 75 pitches per day

13-14 = 65 pitches per day

11-12 = 55 pitches per day

• Pitchers league ages 10 through 14 must adhere to the following rest requirements: The times listed below are calculated from game start of game one to start of game two:

If a player pitches 61 or more pitches in a day, 96 hours of rest must be observed.

If a player pitches 41 - 60 pitches in a day, 72 hours of rest must be observed.

If a player pitches 21 - 40 pitches in a day, 48 hours of rest must be observed.

If a player pitches 1-20 pitches in a day, one 24 hours of rest must be observed.

• In the event the maximum pitch count is obtained the current pitcher may continue pitching to the current batter until said batter is ruled out.

Minimum Playing Requirements

Bronco Only

• Each rostered player present shall participate in a minimum of three consecutive outs and appear in one official at bat per game attended.  In the event that injury prevents such participation, all playing requirements will be fulfilled in the next scheduled game of which the player appears.  Failure to adhere to this rule shall result in action by the Board of Directors.

Extra Hitter (10^th Player)

Pony

• Each team will submit to the opposing team their starting line-up of nine players and one Extra Hitter (EH) who will be designated to hit only as a 10^th player.

Bronco

• All teams during scheduled league games will submit their starting line-ups and bat the entire roster without the use of the EH.

Pre-game activities

• During League play, the home team will have their choice of dugouts to occupy.  Such a determination will be made at the earliest opportunity possible.  In the event the home team has not chosen a dugout to occupy 30 minutes before game time, such a decision will be deferred to the visiting team.
• Each team will be provided adequate time to warm up both infield and outfield players prior to each game.  To maintain an adequate level of safety no team shall be permitted to take live pitching utilizing anything other than plastic (whiffle) type balls.  This includes soft baseballs, hardballs or tennis balls.
• 25-15 minutes prior to game time the visiting team will have complete use of the game field for the purposes of game preparation.
• 15-5 minutes prior to game time the home team will have complete use of the game field for the purposes of game preparation.
• 5 minutes prior to the game the umpire will be in charge of all activities leading up to game time.

Ejection of a player or coach

In the event that a player or coach has been ejected from the game by a qualified umpire during league or tournament play, said participant will be disqualified from participating in the game in which they were ejected, plus one additional game.

 Conduct of Play

When equipped and operational, the dugout doors must be kept closed and latched during play.  Additionally, congregation by coaches or managers outside the dugout (including down the left or right field lines) will be prohibited during the course of play.  Coaching players from areas outside of the dugout will be prohibited.

 All-Star Manager Selection

No later than April of each year The Board of Directors will solicit and select All-Star Managers for each of level of play.  Depending on player participation The Board will select All-Star managers for each league age.

Each manager who wishes to be considered for selection will submit a letter of intent and coaching resume to The Board at a date to be determined.  Selection criteria will be determined by The Board and should be based on character and coaching ability.