HIGH POINT PONY LOCAL RULES

1. All coaches and adult volunteers must have an approved background check on file with the league. It is the head coach’s responsibility to ensure coaches and volunteers have their approved background check on file before allowing them to assist with the players. Background checks are good for the year in which approved.
   Valid 01/01/XXXX through 12/31/XXXX in the same year.
2. Catchers must wear proper equipment which includes a mask with approved head gear, throat guard, chest protector, shin guards and an athletic supporter with a protective cup.
3. The Home Team is responsible for turning off the field lights at the end of the game.
4. The Home Team is responsible for returning the scoreboard controller to the concession stand at the end of the game.
5. High Point Pony reserves the right to review and change these local rules as deemed necessary.

Equipment

1. All Bats must be certified and bear the USA Baseball logo (Stamp) on the bat. Bats can be no larger than 2-5/8” barrel diameter. NO EXCEPTIONS: (NOTE: if an illegal bat is used during game it will be removed from the game by umpire and the team manager will receive a warning, if the same team has a second violation the manager will be given a 1 game suspension, 3rd offense and manager will be suspended for remainder of season.
2. Batting helmets do not have to have attached face guards while being used as a hitter but a player playing the pitcher and “standing” catcher position must wear batting helmet with face guard. A “crouching” catcher must be properly equipped with a hockey style face guard/throat protector, chest protector, shin guards and a cup. “NO CUP, NO CROUCH – NO EXCEPTIONS”. Coaches are responsible for ensuring proper use of equipment.

Game Time

1. All games shall have a maximum of 6 innings.
2. All regular season game time limits are as follows:
   • All regular season games will have 1 hour 45 minutes drop dead time.
   • If a game is called on time, the last completed inning score will determine the outcome of the game.
   • No new inning will be started after 1 hour and 30 minutes.
   • The umpire has the official game clock and will announce “the last inning” and thus will be unlimited.
3. Innings 1 thru 4 will have a 5 run maximum or 3 outs, innings 5 and 6 (if time allows) will have unlimited runs allowed or 3 outs. If umpire calls “Last Inning” due to time constraints, this last inning will be unlimited.
4. If after completion of the 4th inning and either team is down by 10 runs, Mercy Rule goes into effect and the game will be called. If time allows and both teams are willing, teams can unofficially play the 5th and 6th innings up to the 1 hour and 45 drop dead time.
5. The Umpire will maintain the Official game time and will notify both teams of said time when Home team takes field for first pitch of game.

Offense

1. The entire roster present in the game shall bat in rotation; referred to as a "continuous batting order".
2. If a player is not present at start of scheduled game time, they will be placed at the bottom of batting lineup and has until the end of 3rd inning to be eligible in the game. If player fails to appear by the end of the 3rd inning, they become ineligible to participate in the scheduled game. PLEASE NOTE: No out will be assigned for late batter, when players batting position is up, that spot will be passed over.
3. If a player leaves the game causing playing roster to be less than 9 players, then that batting spot will be declared an OUT when scheduled to bat.
4. Each batter will receive a maximum 6 pitches or 3 swinging strikes, FOUL balls will be counted as a strike foul ball on 6th pitches batter will receive additional pitch.
5. Innings will end when 3 outs have been made or during innings 1 thru 4, 5 runs have been scored.
6. An 8’ Arch will be drawn in front of home plate. Batted balls not crossing the 8’ distance will be deemed a dead ball and count as a strike and will count towards pitch total and batter will continue their at bat. Bunting is not allowed at any time and if batter attempts a bunt that batter will be called out.
7. NO head-first sliding at any time. 1st time a team is issued a warning each time after an out will be called.
8. If there is an overthrow to any base the runner may at own risk, go to the next base. Overthrows are considered live until returned to the pitcher but only ONE base will be allowed on all overthrows.

Defense

1. 10 Players take the field, 4 outfielders and 6 infielders playing in the standard infield positions.
2. Outfielder MUST (No Exceptions) be positioned a minimum of 10’ behind the infield dirt prior to batter hitting baseball.
3. No player shall play more than 4 innings in the same position including the catcher position.
4. Catcher position shall be used as intended in baseball.  Please work and teach catching to your players rather than put a kid in the position to just stand there and get “playing” time. It’s an important position that we need to have stressed. 
5. All players shall participate in 50% of game (3 of 6 innings). No player is to sit out more than 2 innings in any game unless ill or a disciplinary issue HOWEVER all players must sit at least one inning (i.e., all players must sit out an even amount as the game day roster allows).
6. Player playing pitcher MUST wear a batting helmet equipped with a facemask and be positioned to the side of Coach Pitcher or behind when pitch is delivered to batter.

On Field Coaches & Coach Pitchers

1. Coach Pitcher must maintain foot contact with pitching rubber while in the motion of throwing a pitch to the batter.
2. Coach pitcher may pitch at a speed that he determines appropriate for the batter BUT may not throw consisting of an unusual arch. If Umpire deems pitch arch is unusually high a warning to pitcher will be given, second warning pitch will be called a strike and batter will be required to re hit.
3. A maximum of 2 APPROVED coaches will be allowed in the outfield in fair territory to give verbal instruction only to the players in the outfield.
4. Offensive 1st and 3rd base coaches will be positioned in foul territory by their respective base.

General

1. Must start 8 players to avoid a forfeit. The 9th batter will be an out.
2. Only coaches with a completed volunteer and background check form on file with HP PONY can be on the field. If a noncertified Coach is used, the team’s Manager will be suspended for one game. A 2nd offense will result in suspension for the remainder of the season.
3. Any player, coach or fan that is ejected from a game will receive an automatic 1 game suspension.
4. The HOME team will occupy the 3rd base dugout for all games.
5. Teams are not allowed to throw balls, play catch or swing bats outside of any fenced field. Stretching and other non-throwing activities are allowed.
6. All players must remain in the dugout area during the game and are not to be standing on the concrete walkway leading from the dugout to the playing field. Only players and certified coaches are permitted in the dugout area and playing field.
7. Coach’s buckets must remain on the concrete walkway in front of the dugout and may not be out in the dirt.
8. No food in the dugout; drinks only. PLEASE CLEAN UP AFTER YOUR TEAM and make sure all batting helmets and catchers gear are returned to the storage container located in the dugout.