Pinto Rules
The purpose of Seattle PONY’s Pinto Division is to provide our youngest players a safe and supportive environment as they begin to learn the game of baseball and to cultivate appreciation and love of the game. Emphasis is on sportsmanship, teamwork, and enjoyment of practices and games. Baseball is a game of rules and decorum, and part of the appreciation of baseball is the knowledge and expectation that there is a proper way that things will be done.
The following rules for game play are extended in that spirit. These are rules, not guidelines, and it is expected that both teams in every game will use them.
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Game Format •
Equipment •
Batting & Base Running •
Defense •
Lineups & Rotation
Game Format
1. Length of Game
Games are 5 innings in length, or 1 hour and 45 minutes, whichever comes first. No new inning shall begin after 1 hour and 30 minutes have elapsed from the scheduled beginning time for the game. While runs are counted in each half inning for purposes of Rule 2, no cumulative score is kept, and the game has no “winning team” or “losing team.”
2. Length of Inning
Each half inning shall last until 5 runs have been scored or 3 outs have been recorded. This means that the maximum number of batters in a half inning is 10.
3. Pitching Delivery and Distance
A coach will have discretion to pitch overhand or underhand, and to determine the proper distance from which to deliver a pitch, which may be different for different batters, though no farther than the pitching rubber on the field.
Equipment
4. Catching
Catchers are required to wear league-approved protective gear in games: mask and helmet, leg guards, throat guard, and chest protector. Male catchers must wear a rigid protective cup at all times that they are playing or warming up pitchers.
5. Bat Rules
Quick Rule: Use a bat with the USA Baseball (USABat) stamp and a barrel of
2 5/8” or smaller.
- Non-wood bats must display the USA Baseball (USABat) certification mark
- Wood bats are allowed
- Maximum barrel diameter is 2 5/8 inches
- 2 3/4 inch barrel bats are not allowed
- There is no drop-weight (-x) limit for USA Baseball bats
- Tee-ball bats are not allowed in Pinto
If you are unsure whether a bat is legal, please check with your coach before bringing it to a game.
Batting & Base Running
6. Batting
No batter will be declared out without putting the ball into play. That is, there are no strikeouts. If the batter has not put the ball into play after the coach-pitcher has delivered 6 good pitches in the strike zone, a batting tee will be used. Foul balls count as good pitches, except that if a foul ball is hit on the 6th good pitch, the pitcher may deliver another pitch.
Pitching can continue after subsequent foul balls; the tee will then be used after the 10th pitch overall or after the first pitch that is not fouled. Under no circumstances should an at bat last longer than 10 pitches. The use of the tee is recommended so that every at bat involves a ball in play; coaches have the discretion of having the batter walk to first base instead.
Bunting
Bunting is not allowed. Swinging bunts are allowed when the batter takes a full swing, makes contact, and the ball travels softly.
Throwing a Bat
On the first occurrence, the player is warned. On the second occurrence in the game, the batter is immediately declared out. On the third occurrence in the game, the batter is declared out and should be prevented from batting again in that game because of the safety risk posed by thrown bats. More than one occurrence can happen in the same at bat.
Base Running
There are no leadoffs and no stolen bases. If a base runner is off the base when a ball is put in play in fair territory, the base runner shall be declared out, though one warning may be given. Head-first slides are not allowed when advancing to a base. Feet-first slides are allowed. A runner may dive head first back to a base already occupied. Runners must make a reasonable effort to avoid contact with fielders who are in the process of making a play.
One Base on an Overthrow
Runners are entitled to one free base when a ball is overthrown and leaves the field of play.
Dead Ball
Whenever an infielder controls the ball in the infield (i.e., within the four corners of the base paths) and raises the ball above his or her head, the play is dead. The exception is when a force play is available, at first or otherwise.
If not a force play, any runner that is between bases and has not reached the half-way mark will return to the prior base. If they are past half-way, they continue to the next base, including home.
Defense
Defensive Positioning
A regulation infield of 6 players shall be used at all times: pitcher, catcher, first base, second base, third base, and shortstop. All other players on the field shall be outfielders. Any number of players may play in the outfield so long as they are evenly spread out in the outfield.
Any player positioned behind home plate as a catcher must wear the catcher’s gear.
Lineups & Rotation
Rotation
It is expected that every player will have the experience of playing every position during the course of the season. Every player should have an equal
opportunity to play on the infield.
Batting Order
A continuous batting order shall be used from game to game. You will set one lineup for the first game, and that lineup will run continuously for the entire season.