GARNER BASEBALL 7 – 8
PINTO LEAGUE
LEAGUE RULES
The purpose of our 7 & 8 year old Pinto League is twofold – to introduce children to the rules of the game of baseball and to provide a place for players to have fun. We have developed guidelines to reach both goals. Please review them and familiarize yourself with them.
COACH PITCH LEAGUE WILL BE GOVERNED BY
PONY RULES, EXCEPT WHERE LOCAL RULES APPLY.
Official Rules
Playing Field
A. Bases shall be 60 feet apart and the pitchers plate shall be at 40 feet.
B. There shall be a chalked hash mark 1/2 the distance between first and second base. This hash mark shall determine whether a player may advance to the next base or return to the previous base at the time of dead ball.
C. Pitching plate shall be in the center of a 12' diameter circle.
Coaches
A. Offense-one coach at third base, one coach at first base, one coach pitching, and one coach in dugout for player control.
B. Defensive Coaches - There may be a defensive coach on right field line and left field line, provided they stay in foul territory.
Playing Rules
1. Coach must submit a batting order to umpire and scorer before game. All players must be listed in a batting order that will not change during said game. All players must bat in numerical order for entire game. In the event a player is injured (umpire will justify), scorer will be notified and said player will be out for remainder of said game with no penalty in batting order. No player shall sit in dugout two straight innings. Ten players are allowed on defense and each player must play at least every other inning in field.
2. A maximum of five runs, or three outs will constitute an offensive inning.
3. Six (6) innings will constitute a game.
4. No intentional bunting is allowed. No walks allowed. Attempted bunting will constitute a strike.
5. A twelve (12) foot diameter circle is to be drawn around pitching plate. The defensive pitcher must remain inside circle until batter makes contact with ball.
6. All outfielders must be positioned at similar radius. No short fielder will be allowed.
7. Each batter will be allowed five (5) pitches or 3 swings per bat. No limit of number of foul balls on 5th pitch or 3rd swing. The batter shall be out on a foul tip caught by the catcher on the third strike.
8. No infield-fly rule.
9. No base stealing allowed. A runner leaving the base before the ball reaches home plate will be removed from base and an out will be declared. This is a delayed dead ball call by umpire. (A warning will be given during the first half of the season)
10. Any base runner that misses touching a base shall be called out by the umpire upon completion of the play. No appeals on missed bases will be allowed. This is a delayed dead ball called by umpire.
11. A team may have a courtesy runner for the catcher at any time. It is mandatory that the catcher be removed from base running with two outs to speed play. The runner used as a courtesy runner will be player that made last out.
12. The umpire's judgment will rule on runner’s position at time of called time by either official.
13. Catcher must be in a squatted catcher's position and not standing.
14. Once a pitcher/coach releases the ball, he cannot be involved with coaching until time is called. There are base coaches to direct runners. Coach may not deceive defensive players to retrieve the ball before time is called. Penalty: All runners return to last base.
LOCAL RULES
1. Good sportsmanship will be required of all parents, coaches, and players.
2. All players are required to pre-register and try-out with Garner Baseball. League Director and coaches will draft players to selected teams. Siblings within the same league will be allowed to play on the same team. Special requests will be reviewed, but may not be honored.
- Any player or coach ejected from a game by the umpire shall also sit out the entire next game (including tournaments). The ejected player will sit on the bench with their team in full uniform. The coach will not be allowed in the dug out or on the playing field.
- The head umpire has complete authority over the game. ONLY THE ACTING HEAD COACH SHALL CONFER WITH THE UMPIRE.
5. Each team must be on the field and ready to play at the scheduled time. If a team does not have enough players to begin the game, a forfeit will be called ten minutes after the scheduled game time. A team may begin and end play with eight players. Additional players may be added to the end of the batting order if arriving late.
6. Each team shall be entitled to one offensive time out per inning. The umpire shall determine the length of the time out.
7. No tobacco use by players, coaches, umpires, or parents is allowed on the playing field at any time including practices.
8. No food or drink except those authorized by the coach shall be allowed on the field or in the dug out at any time.
9. Each team is to supply one ADULT to work the press box. The home team will provide the announcer and the visiting team will supply the scorekeeper. The score should be kept in the official score book in the press box. Failure to do so will result in a forfeit of the game. The home team is also required to provide the behind the plate umpire.
10. All players present at a game must play in every game unless serving a suspension or a coach’s disciplinary action. The head coach must notify the scorekeeper and opposing coach of any player on the bench, but not on the line up card.
11. Ten players will be allowed on the field defensively at one time. No more than six players shall play on the infield. All players must start every other game and may not sit on the bench more than one consecutive inning. Each player bats the entire game in the same continuous order whether or not player is playing in the field. Failure to abide by this rule can result in disciplinary action against the head coach by GBI.
12. There is an 80-minute or six-inning time limit per game. No new inning will begin after 80 minutes has elapsed. If at the end of the sixth inning the game is tied, one additional inning can be played if started within the 80 minutes. If at the end of one extra inning the game is still tied, it will end tied. Time delays due to weather, injuries or disputes can be added back at the discretion of the umpire.
13. Concerning weather delays, if a game is called due to rain and it does not qualify as a complete game (3 1/2 innings if home team is winning, 4 if visitors are winning), the game will resume at a rescheduled date from the point at which it was called. It will not be started over from the beginning and replayed.
14. An inning will be complete when three outs are recorded or the offensive team scores five runs. A game is complete when a team is mathematically eliminated or the time limit expires. All players must get at least one at bat before the game is over. If a player has not had an at bat, play will continue for one more inning.
- In order to maximize playing time, a courtesy runner for the catcher may be used at any time. This will be mandatory if there are two (2) outs. The courtesy runner will be the last player to make an out.
- All players must participate in a minimum of 50% of the scheduled practices. If a problem arises, the coach should contact the League Director for further help in handling this situation.
17. Players are required to wear long pants and baseball or athletic shoes during all practices and games. Catchers are required to wear protective equipment during games, warm ups, and practices. All players are encouraged to wear protective cups. Batting helmets are required of all batters and base runners. There is to be no jewelry worn by any player during a game or practice.
18. Rained-out games will be made up as quickly as possible, hopefully within a one-week time period. A team that cannot complete a line up for the rescheduled, rained-out game will forfeit the game. The league will reschedule enough rained-out games to guarantee a minimum of 80% of regular scheduled games. (Local Rule)
- The adult pitcher must attempt to leave the playing field once the ball is put in play. A batted ball will automatically be declared a dead ball (no pitch) if it touches the adult pitcher whether intentional or non-intentional. The adult pitcher must be conscientious in staying out of the way of an ongoing play. If an umpire determines that the adult pitcher intentionally interfered with a defensive play, the batter will automatically be out and the runners will return to their original bases.
- The pitcher/coach must start their pitch from the pitching plate located in the center of the pitching circle.
21. The defensive pitcher must stay even with or behind the established pitching distance of 40 feet. This player must remain within the pitching circle until the batter touches the ball.
22. Any player warming up another player in live ball territory must have a protective helmet.
23. All games will be played in the Garner Baseball facilities.
24. Upon completion of the game, both head coaches are required to sign the scorebook to validate the score for league standings.
25. All teams must pick up trash and cleanup their dugout after each game.
26. The schedule will determine home and visitor. The home team dugout is along 3rd base and the visiting team is along 1st base. During tournament play the higher seeded team will always be designated as the home team.
- One head coach will be assigned to each team, and he may recruit up to three assistant coaches and a team mom to help him. Garner Baseball Board of Directors must approve all coaches.
28. Any questions or comments should be directed to the League Director.
29. The following criteria will set tournament seedings and be used for tie breakers:
1. Overall record
2. Head to head record
3. Runs Allowed (Head to Head)
4. Runs Scored (Season)
5. Run Differential between runs scored and runs allowed
30. The defensive catcher shall have the first opportunity to make plays at the plate. Other infielders coming in may backup the catcher and only make the play if the ball gets past the catcher. First instance where infielder steps in front of catcher and makes the play the team will be given a warning. Additional instances the runner will be called safe at the plate regardless of outcome of play.
31. Play continues until the lead base runner has been contained by the defensive team, or abandons his effort to continue to the next base. At this point, time is to be called by the umpire.
Last Revised: 01/11/10 Page 4 of 4 Garner Baseball, Inc