PONY Baseball/Softball - Shafter Recreation and Park District

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Youth Baseball & Softball

FOAL, SHETLAND & PINTO

Registrations: April 5th- April 30th

Practices Begins: week of May 10th

First Game: Week of June 7th

Last Game: Week of July 2nd

10u and 14 Softball Baseball

Registration: April 5th- April 30th

Evaluations: May 8th & 15th

Practices Begins: May 24th

Opening Day: Week of June 21st

Last Game: July 12th

Programs and Sports Coordinator: Hannah Ramirez

(661) 746-3303

Shafter Recreation and Park Districts

Foal Division (4U)

Rules and Regulations

Current Pony rules will govern play with the following exceptions and modifications

Practices

Practices shall be limited to three (3) per week before the season starts and one (1) per week during the season. Teams are restricted to three (3) activities (games and practices) per week. Practices shall be limited to two (2) hours maximum per session. Any meeting of the team with the manager or coach will be considered a practice. Violation of this rule could result in manager probation or dismissal. Batting practice on game day is not considered a practice.

Game Rules

Dimensions: Infield 50-foot square

All games will be one (1) hour allowing each team to hit an equal number of times.
All players present at time of game will bat, players that come late will be added to the bottom of the lineup.
Each player present at the game and eligible to play WILL play at least two (2) innings in the field of a normal six (6) inning No player may play the same position more than two (2) innings in an entire game. All eligible players must play at least 50% of the game.
Each defensive team will consist of a maximum of ten (10) players and a minimum of eight (8) players. Teams may start with eight (8) players only if the other team has eight (8) players to field, if not, ten (10) players will be accepted or eight (8) players for a team short of players. There will be no catchers. The catchers must be the head or assistant coach.
Shoes MUST be worn. Use of molded rubber, multi-purpose, or tennis shoes are all allowed. Metal cleats are NOT ALLOWED.
All protective equipment issued MUST be worn.
Each batter and baserunner can only advance one base at time. The last batter will be allowed to run all the bases.
The coach or assistant coach shall either place the ball for the batter. The player will have five (5) attempts to hit the ball. If the batter fails to hit the ball on the third attempt , then the batter will have two (2) attempts with coach assistance to hit the ball off of a tee. If the batter hits the tee before the ball, the ball will be considered foul and the batter will be granted another attempt to hit the ball.
Bunting or abbreviated swings shall NOT be allowed. The batter must take a full swing at the ball. This will be the umpire’s decision.
An arc will be drawn on the field intersecting each foul line at five (5) feet. A ball hit that fails to go past the arc will be considered a foul ball.
The runner(s) shall not leave the base(s) until the ball is hit into fair territory. Once the ball is hit and is in play, each runner(s) is allowed to advance only one base. If any runner(s) leave before the ball is hit, the ball we be announced dead and all runners will go back to original base(s).
All players in a position must remain behind the pitcher line, located five (5) feet behind the pitchers rubber.
Players must attend 50% of practices per week to be eligible to play 50% of the scheduled games, Failure to do so may result in less time played. If a player doesn’t attend practice and plays more than 50% of the game, penalties will be carried out.
The use of alcohol and or tobacco products by any parent, coach, or spectator is prohibited. Coaches are responsible for parents and any member of their party.
Coaches and assistants must remain in designated areas of the playing field at all times. Coaches may not enter the field of play for any reason except in the case of an injured player.a

Violations: Coaches will be asked to leave the field of play and if persistent will may cause game to be forfeited. The coach will represent the team during official business, he/she will be the only representative that may consult with umpires once the game begins. This means only one coach, in which the umpire will assign, can approach the umpire. Failure to do so may result in ejection of the coach or forfeit of the game. This rule includes any parents in the dugout or in the spectator’s area. Violators can be asked to leave. The officials are there to umpire games, not to explain each call or justify each call to the coach. Officials will not address parents outside the playing area. Coaches must inform spectators not to insist on talking to officials, they will be warned once and then may be asked to leave the area of play.

Shetland Division (6U)

Rules and Regulations

Current Pony rules will govern play with the following exception and modifications.

Practices

Game Rules

Dimensions: infield 50-foot square

All games will consist of six (6) innings, if time permits, with no new inning starting after 1 hour.
No more than five (5) runs per half inning. Each half inning will end after five (5) runs or three (3) outs, whichever occurs first.
Each player present at the start of the game and are eligible to play WILL play at least two (2) innings on the field, of a normal six (6) inning Late arrivals will be added to the bottom of the batting lineup. The coach must report any substitutions or changes to the umpire.
Defensively, a team will have a maximum of ten (10) players and a minimum of eight (8) on the field. Games may start with eight (8) players only if the other team has eight or ten players to field.
Shoes MUST be worn. Use of molded rubber, multi-purpose, or tennis shoes are all allowed. Metal cleats are NOT ALLOWED.
Batters and baserunners must wear approved batting helmets and MUST NOT remove them until they return to the designated bench area. If batter or base runners remove their helmet for any reason while on the field of play the umpire will call him/her out.
All players are to stay in the designated bench area until it is time to take their place in the batter’s box. No practice swings may be taken until entering the playing field as a batter.
To begin play, the manager or coach, of the batting team, will pitch no more than three (3) balls. If the batter fails to put the ball in play in the three (3) pitches, then the batter will be able to swing twice (2) at the tee. If the batter fails to get the ball in play, he/she will be called out. If the fourth (4^th) attempt is fouled off, the batter will still be called out. There are NO WALKS.
If the batter hits the ball in play into the infield, they will be rewarded only one (1) base. If they can hit it out to the outfield, they will be allowed two (2) bases only. Batters may not have triples or a home run.
The defensive team will have one catcher, in case of a play at home. The catcher will stand opposite of the batter, behind the batting cage; not on the side.
Assistant or head coach will be tossing balls back and placing tee for the batter to speed up the game.
The coach that is pitching the balls cannot give coaching instructions to batters after they hit the ball or to base runners. Coaches must not interfere with defensive players.
Catchers must wear helmet.
All players must wear hats, and jerseys issued by SRPD.
The player fielding the pitchers position must take a placement five (5) feet behind the Coach and be on either the left or right side of the coach.
For protective reasoning’s, the player playing the pitching position may NOT charge at the ball once the ball is pitched. Players and pitcher are allowed to charge the ball after the ball is hit.
If a batted ball strikes the coach, the ball will be dead, the pitch will be counted as a strike and the base runners cannot advance.
If a batted ball strikes the coach and goes foul, the ball is dead, the batter is awarded first base and all runners will advance one base.
All Shetland division players will play defensively the entire game. Each player shall play an infield position for three (3) defensive outs or one (1) inning per game. Every player should play every position during the season. A player may play a particular position for a maximum of two (2) innings per game. Failure to comply with this rule or falsifying the number of innings played for any team member will result in a one game suspension of the coach and forfeit of game.
A manager or coach may ask for time to make a defensive adjustment at any time the ball is not in play. Any player who changes positions in an inning cannot change positions again that inning.
The manager will be responsible for the conduct of team players and their parents, always during practices and games.
The use of alcohol and or tobacco products by any parent, coach, or spectator is prohibited.
Players must attend 50% of practices per week to be eligible to play 50% of the scheduled games, failure to do so may result in less time played. If a player doesn’t attend practice and plays more than 50% of the game, penalties will be carried out.
Coaches and assistants must remain in designated areas of the playing field at all times. Coaches may not enter the field of play for any reason except in the case of an injured player.

Violations: Coach will be asked to leave the field of play and if persistent will may cause game to be forfeited. The coach will represent the team during official business, he/she will be the only representative that may consult with umpires once the game begins. This means only one coach, in which the umpire will assign, can approach the umpire. Failure to do so may result in ejection of the coach or forfeit of the game. This rule includes any parents in the dugout or in the spectator’s area. Violators can be asked to leave. The officials are there to umpire games, not to explain each call or justify each call to the coach. Officials will not address parents outside the playing area. Coaches must inform spectators not to insist on talking to officials, they will be warned once and then may be asked to leave the area of play.

Pinto Division (8U)

Rules and Regulations

Current Pony rules will govern play with the following exception and modifications.

Practices

Game Rules

Dimensions: infield 50-foot square

All games will consist of six (6) innings, if time permits, with no new inning starting after 1 hour and 15 minutes.
No more than five (5) runs per half inning. Each half inning will end after five (5) runs or three (3) outs, whichever occurs first.
Each player present at the start of the game and are eligible to play WILL play at least two (2) innings on the field, of a normal six (6) inning Late arrivals will be added to the bottom of the batting lineup. The coach must report any substitutions or changes to the scorekeeper.
Defensively, a team will have a maximum of nine (9) players and a minimum of eight (8) on the field. Games may start with eight (8) players only if the other team has eight or nine players to field.
Shoes MUST be worn. Use of molded rubber, multi-purpose, or tennis shoes are all allowed. Metal cleats are NOT ALLOWED.
Batters and baserunners must wear approved batting helmets, and MUST NOT remove them until they return to the designated bench area. If batter or base runners remove their helmet for any reason while on the field of play the umpire will call him/her out.
All players are to stay in the designated bench area until it is time to take their place in the batter’s box. No practice swings may be taken until entering the playing field as a batter.
To begin play, the manager or coach, of the batting team, will pitch no more than five (5) balls from the mechanical arm. If the batter fails to put the ball in play in the five (5) pitches, then the batter will be called out. If the fifth (5^th) pitch is fouled off, the batter will still be called out. There are NO WALKS.
The coach that is feeding the balls into the mechanical arm cannot give coaching instructions to batters after they hit the ball or to base runners. Coaches must not interfere with defensive players.
Catchers must wear catcher’s helmet, mask, protected cup, and throat protector. (Hockey-style masks have the throat protected incorporated in their design)
All players must wear hats, and jerseys issued by SRPD.
The player fielding the pitchers position must take a placement five (5) feet behind the mechanical arm and be on either the left or right side of the coach using the mechanical arm.
For protective reasoning’s, the player playing the pitching position may NOT charge at the ball once the ball is pitched. Players and pitcher are allowed to charge the ball after the ball is hit.
If a batted ball strikes the coach feeding the ball, the ball will be dead, the pitch will be counted as a strike and the base runners cannot advance.
If a batted ball strikes the mechanical arm and goes foul, the ball is dead, the batter is awarded first base and all runners will advance one base.
If a batted ball strikes the mechanical arm and remains in fair territory, the ball is still live and must be played upon.
A batted ball, which has been hit into the outfield becomes dead once an infielder has control of the ball and is on a base or in the infield. Runners may advance unlimited bases until the ball is announced dead.
All Shetland division players will play defensively the entire game. Each player shall play an infield position for three (3) defensive outs or one (1) inning per game. Every player should play every position during the season. A player may play a particular position for a maximum of two (2) innings per game. Failure to comply with this rule or falsifying the number of innings played for any team member will result in a one game suspension of the coach and forfeit of game.
A manager or coach may ask for time to make a defensive adjustment at any time the ball is not in play. Any player who changes positions in an inning cannot change positions again that inning.
The manager will be responsible for the conduct of team players and their parents, at all times during practices and games.
The use of alcohol and or tobacco products by any parent, coach, or spectator is prohibited.
Players must attend 50% of practices per week to be eligible to play 50% of the scheduled games, failure to do so may result in less time played. If a player doesn’t attend practice and plays more than 50% of the game, penalties will be carried out.
Coaches and assistants must remain in designated areas of the playing field at all times. Coaches may not enter the field of play for any reason except in the case of an injured player.

Violations: Coach will be asked to leave the field of play and if persistent will may cause game to be forfeited. The coach will represent the team during official business, he/she will be the only representative that may consult with umpires once the game begins. This means only one coach, in which the umpire will assign, can approach the umpire. Failure to do so may result in ejection of the coach or forfeit of the game. This rule includes any parents in the dugout or in the spectator’s area. Violators can be asked to leave. The officials are there to umpire games, not to explain each call or justify each call to the coach. Officials will not address parents outside the playing area. Coaches must inform spectators not to insist on talking to officials, they will be warned once and then may be asked to leave the area of play.

LIVE PITCH GIRL’S Mustang (10U) and Pony (14U)

RULES AND REGULATIONS

Rules and Regulations

Listed below are additions to the Rules and Regulations for PONY Baseball. These ground rules are intended to govern play in the Mustang Division. The Rules and Regulations of Pony Baseball can be viewed in their entirety at www.pony.org.

Practices

Dimensions: Infield 60-foot square, pitching distances 35 feet, eight-foot (8) radius circle

All games will consist of six (6) innings, when time permits, with no new inning starting after 1 hour and 30 minutes. If the score is tied after six completed innings it will end in a tie. If the inning starts before 1 hour and 30 minutes you must finish the inning.

If time permits, each team will be allowed five (5) minutes of infield practice before the start of the game. Visitors shall take the infield first.

No more than three (3) runs may be scored by a team during each half inning. However, in the last inning teams are allowed unlimited runs.

All players present at the game and eligible to play shall be placed on a team line-up in the batting order at the beginning of the game. All players SHALL bat regardless of whether they are playing in the field. Late arriving players will be added to the batting line-up at the end of the list. The coach must report substitutions and changes to the scorekeeper.

Each player present at the game and eligible to play WILL play at least two (2) innings in the field of a normal six (6) innings game.

Five (5) warm up pitches are allowed at the beginning of each inning. When changing pitchers, the new pitcher gets five (5) warm up pitches, before the game continues.

Each defensive team will consist of a maximum of nine (9) players or a minimum of eight (8) players. Even if one team has only eight (8) players to field, the other team may still field nine (9) players.

Teams must have at least eight (8) eligible players present no later than ten (10) minutes after the scheduled game time. If a team fails to do so, it is an automatic forfeit, although the game may still be played.

Coach/timeouts: The offense (batting) is allowed one (1) conference (timeout) per inning. The defense (fielding) is allowed three (3) conferences per game. If defense calls a fourth (4^th) conference, that team must change pitchers.

Outfield Position 7, 8 & 9 must be behind the boundary line until the ball is hit. Boundary line is defined as 5 feet from the grass edge.

Shoes must be worn. The use of molded rubber, multi-purpose tennis shoes or cleats is recommended. Metal cleats are not allowed.

All protective equipment issued must be worn. All catchers must wear a throat protector, helmet or head protector with mask, shin guards and a chest protector. All catchers must use catchers’ gloves. Each batter, runner and on-deck batter must wear a helmet. The helmet shall be a type that has safety features equal to or greater than those provided (with full plastic cap, extended ear flaps that cover both ears and temples). If a batter enters the batter’s booth without a helmet, she will be declared out by the umpire. When an umpire witnesses a runner deliberately removing her helmet during action, the violator shall be declared out immediately. This action, in no way, eliminates a force play situation.

NOTE: A mask must be worn by any player while warming up a pitcher at any time, including practices during and before the game.

All players must wear softball gloves. There shall be no restrictions on types of gloves used, but the pitcher’s glove may not have a white or neon green insert on the outside or in the pocket of the glove.

All coaches and assistants must remain in the dugout except when occupying coaching boxes (only two coaches/assistants may be on the field at any one time on offense and all coaches/assistants must remain in the dugout during defense). If the coach refuses to follow the rule, that coach may be ejected from the game and if the coach refuses to leave, the game will be forfeited.

The infield fly rule will be in effect.

The batter may run to first on the third strike only if the catcher drops the ball and first base is unoccupied.

A runner on base shall be called out when failing to keep contact with the base before a legally pitched ball has been released from the pitcher.

Pinch Runner: For Pitcher & Catcher (ONLY). Runner must be the last out.

Runners may not advance on illegal pitches. This shall apply to all illegal pitching situations. An illegal pitch declared by the umpire, will be considered a ball to the batter.

Home Plate is “live”. A runner may steal home on a pass ball to the catcher, but may not steal when the pitcher has the ball and is in the pitching circle.

MERCY RULE: If one team is up by 10 or more runs after the completion of 4 innings the official could call the game.

Slide/Avoid Contact Rule: Umpires will have the final decision on making the call. Rule will be enforced in order to avoid contact between the player and the catcher.

The coach will represent the team during official business. He/she will be the only representative that may consult the umpires once the game begins. This means only one coach, not both the head and assistant coach. If more than one coach confers with the umpire, one coach will be asked to leave the field. Failure to do so may result in the eviction of the coach or forfeiture of the game. This rule includes any parents in the dugout and in the spectators’ area. Violators can be asked to leave. The official is there to umpire the game, not to explain each call or justify each call to the coach. Officials will not address parents outside of the playing areas. Please inform spectators not to insist on talking to the officials, they will be warned once and then may be asked to leave the area of play.

Players must attend 50% of Practices per week to be eligible to play 50% of the time of Scheduled games. Failure to do so may result in less time played. If a player doesn’t attend practices and plays more than 50% of the game they will be penalized a full game.

Live Pitch Boys Mustang (10U) & Pony (14U)

Rules and Regulations

Practices

Game Rules

Dimensions: Infield 60/70-foot square, 46/54 mound feet from home plate.

All games will consist of six (6) innings, if time permits, with no new inning starting after one (1) hour and thirty (30) minutes. If the inning starts before the one (1) hour and thirty (30) minute mark, the inning must be finished. In the event of a tie, the game will remain a tie.
If time permits, each team will be allowed ten (10) minutes of infield practice before the start of the game. Visitors, team listed second, should take infield practice first.
Each pitcher may pitch a maximum of 75/ 85 pitchers per day with a 4 days’ rest period. A pitcher that throws 1-20 pitches is required 0 days’ rest, 21-35 1-day rest, 36-50 2 days, 51-65 3 days, and 65-up 4 days. The rest period does not start until the next day after the game.
Once removed, a pitcher may enter the game at a different position, however is not eligible to pitch again in that game.
No more than three (3) runs may be scored by a team during one (1) half inning. In the last inning, each team is allowed unlimited runs.
Every player on a team roster will participate in each game for a minimum of six (6) defensive outs including three (3) defensive outs positioned in the infield. This requirement must be met during the first five (5) innings. Penalty: The player(s) involved will start the next scheduled game and play any previous requirement not completed and the requirement for the current game before being removed. The manager will receive a one (1) game suspension. A suspended manager may be a spectator of a game involving the team of which he is the manager.
The inability of either team to place eight (8) players on the field before the game begins or anytime during the game is an automatic forfeit. All team members of the roster for that game will be listed in the batting order. Players arriving late to a game will have their names placed at the bottom of the batting order. Any player removed from the batting order, for any reason, will be counted as an automatic out during that players next turn at bat only.
The manager shall fill out and turn in lineup sheets, in duplicate, ten (10) minutes prior to game time. The lineup sheets shall include each player’s full name, number, and the remaining eligibility of each pitcher. One copy is to be given to the official scorekeeper. Notifications of any team members ineligible to play in the game will also be given at this time. Late arrivals will be added to the bottom of line up and must be reported to the scorekeeper as well.
Courtesy runners are allowed for pitchers and catchers only. The runner must be the last out of the inning. If there are no outs, the runner will be the third out from the previous inning.
Shoes must be worn. The use of molded rubber, multi-purpose tennis shoes, or cleats is recommended. Metal cleats are not allowed.
The full uniform must be worn (Hats, Shirts and Coaches Cards). Authentic hats with team’s color and logo are allowed. If a player does not wear full uniform, he will not be allowed to participate in the game.
All protective equipment issued must be worn. All catcher must wear a throat protector, helmet or head protector with mask, shin guards, and a chest protector. All catchers must use a catcher’s glove. Each batter, runner, and on deck batter must wear a helmet. The helmet shall have safety features equal to or greater than those provided (with full plastic cap, extended ear flaps that cover both ears and temples). If a batter enters the batter’s box without a helmet, he will be declared out by the umpire. When an umpire witnesses a runner deliberately removing his helmet during action, the violator will be declared out immediately. This action, in no way, eliminates a force play situation.
All coaches and assistants must remain in the dugout except on offense when occupying the coaches box (Only two (2) coaches are allowed on the field while team is on offense). While on defense, all coaches must remain in the dugout. If the coach refuses to follow the rule, then that coach may be ejected from the game. If the coach refuses to leave the game, the game will be forfeited.
All players must wear baseball gloves when playing defense. There shall be no restrictions on types of gloves being used. The pitcher is not allowed to have white on his glove. Pitchers also cannot have batting gloves in their back pockets.
No designated hitters allowed. Designated runners are allowed, the new runner will be the previous out.
Coaches are allowed two mound visits per inning, per pitcher. On the second mound visit, the pitcher must be removed from the pitcher’s position. The player can be placed in a different position once being removed from pitching.
Runners may lead off and steal bases except for home. When the runner is on third he may lead off but can only steal home on a passed ball.
Pitchers are allowed no more than five (5) warm-up pitches in between each inning. A pitcher entering the game for the first time is allowed ten (10) warm-up pitches.
Balks will be called by the umpire when the pitcher makes an illegal motion to either home or to pick off. Each pitcher will receive one (1) warning per inning.
The manager will be responsible for the conduct of their team players and the players’ parents during all practices and games.
The use of alcohol by any parent or spectator is prohibited.
The batter may run to first on the third strike, if the catcher drops the ball and first base is unoccupied. In the case of two (2) outs and first base occupied, the batter will be allowed to run to first even with first base being occupied.

Slide/Avoid Contact Rule: Umpires will have the final decision on making the call. Rule will be enforced to avoid contact between the player and the catcher.

If the visiting team is leading by at least ten (10) runs at the end of the fourth inning, the game shall be declared complete and the visiting team shall be declared the winner. If the home team is leading by at least ten (10) runs after the visiting team has completed batting in the fourth inning or later, the game shall be declared complete and the home team will be declared the winner.
Home plate is considered “live”. If the runner is attempting to steal home, the batter must step out of the box. If the batter fails to do so, the batter will be called out. Homeplate will have a mandatory slide rule to avoid dangerous contact. Umpires will have the final decision on making that call.
The coach appointed by the umpire will represent the team during official business. He/She will be the only representative that may consult the umpires once the game begins. Failure to do so may result in ejection of the coach or forfeit of the game. This rule applies to any parents in the dug-outs or in the spectators’ area. Violators will be asked to leave.
The officials are there to umpire games, not to explain each call or justify each call to the coach. Officials will not address parents outside the playing area. Coaches must inform spectators not to insist on talking to officials, they will be warned once and then may be asked to leave the area of play.

Note: A mask must be worn by anyone while warming up a pitcher at any time, including practices, during games and before games. Players are recommended to wear a cup.

Post-Game Rules

Team players, coaches and parents shall pick up litter on and around the field and seating area after the game. Failure to do so will result in in the manager’s name being turned into the Board of Directors by the Director-on-duty. A manager’s name being turned in a second time will result in a one (1) game suspension.

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