Oswegoland Pony Baseball adheres to the PONY Baseball Rules and Regulations with these exceptions and additions.

This document is organized according to the Sections (1-20) in the 2017 PONY BASEBALL Rules and Regulations, or rulebook.

Where rules apply only to specific divisions, PINTO for example, that is stated at the beginning of the rule in bold font. New rules show the year [2004] in which they are written or modified. Deleted rules show up as strikethrough and will remain for only one year.

Section 1 – THE ORGANIZATION LEAGUE

The League's Board of Directors, by a majority vote, can provide a two-tier fee structure, one for early and late registration, and will determine the date upon which all registrations will be closed, as well as the maximum player limit allowed in each division. All registration is closed by April 1. [2006]

Registration Refund Policy (Updated Spring 2014):

New for 2014: There will be a $25 processing fee deducted from ANY refund issued. Refund PRIOR to player draft / player selections – 100% Refund

(minus $25 processing fee)

Refund AFTER player draft / player selections, but prior to 1st game – 50% Refund

(minus $25 processing fee)

Refund AFTER 1st game of season – 0% Refund

(Special circumstance refund requests must to be submitted in writing and are subject to Board approval)

If you are on the waiting list and DO NOT get placed on a team – 100% Refund

(minus $25 processing fee)

VP of Baseball

VP of Softball

Section 2 - INSURANCE

Oswegoland PONY Baseball has no variants to this section.
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Section 3 - TEAMS

Team rosters in the All Divisions must have a minimum of 10 players and a maximum of 14 players. [2014]
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Section 4 – LEGAL PLAYERS

During the 2016 PONY International Board of Directors meeting, a decision was reached to change the date for determining player eligibility from April 30 to August 31. The rule change will take effect at the start of the 2018 PONY Baseball season. OBSA has adopted this rule for the 2020 Spring/Summer season.  Player division eligibility will be based on the age of the player as of August 31, 2020. Due to Spring/Summer Season being canceled this year (2020), this change has been delayed to 2021.
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Section 5 - BOUNDARIES

Oswegoland PONY Baseball boundaries are exactly the same as those of School District 308 and the Oswegoland Park District [2014]. Anyone who resides within these boundaries at the time of registration is eligible to participate in the league [2008]. Any exceptions must be reviewed and approved by the League's Executive Board.
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Section 6 – SELECTION OF PLAYERS

All boys and girls from 5-14 who register on or before sign up dates are guaranteed a spot on an in-house team. SHETLAND & PINTO DIVISIONS. Team Selection: Players are randomly assigned onto teams after any players related to coaches or sponsors are appropriately placed. [2003]
MUSTANG, BRONCO, & PONY DIVISIONS.
Draft Procedures

a. For the purposes of the draft, there is only one official manager and one official coach unless additional coaches approved by the Board [2014]. After the draft is complete, additional coaches may be recruited.
b. Protected players: Children of the one official manager and the official coach.

1. 1 protected player: This player will be designated as the first round pick in the protected player's age group.
2. 2 protected players (same age): These players will be designated as theteam's 1st and 3rd round pick in the protected players' age group.
3. 2 protected players (different age): One of the two protected players will be designated as the 1st round pick and the other protected player will be designated as a 3rd round pick. Which protected player is to be designated as the 1st round pick will be at the discretion of the team manager.
4. 3 or more protected players (same age): The players will be designated as the team's consecutive odd number draft picks in the protected players' age group draft, beginning with the 1st round draft pick and continuing with consecutive odd number draft picks (e.g., 1st, 3rd, 5th, 7th, etc). If all protected players cannot be designated as odd number draft picks, then consecutive even number draft picks, beginning with the team's 2nd round draft pick in the protected players' age group draft, will be used.
5. 3 or more protected players (not all in the same age group): If a team has three or more protected players, but not all in the same age group, then multiple protected players in the same age group will be designated as the team's consecutive odd number draft picks in the players' age group draft, beginning with the 1st round draft pick and continuing with consecutive odd number draft picks until all protected players in the same age group are designated. If a team has only one protected player in the other age group, that protected player will be designated as the team's 3rd round pick in that protected player's age group draft. If, however, the team has multiple protected players in both age groups, then the multiple protected players in both age groups will be designated as the team's consecutive odd number draft picks in their respective age group draft beginning with the 1st round pick and continuing with consecutive odd number draft picks. Note: In any age group where all protected players in the age group cannot be designated as consecutive odd number draft picks, then the remaining protected players in the affected age group will be designated by consecutive even number draft picks, beginning with the team's 2nd round draft pick in the affected protected player's age group draft.
f. Brothers playing in the same division must be drafted onto the same team. Brothers in the same age group will be consecutive picks, including a 9-year old brother in the Mustang-10 division. [2006] If brothers are in different age groups, the second brother drafted must be drafted in the same round as the first brother was drafted. For example, if a 13-yr-old is drafted in the 5th round, his 14-yr-old brother must be drafted in the 5th round of the 14-yr-old draft.
g. After all players who attended the evaluations are drafted, all "no shows" will be randomly appointed to a team by a blind draw while still following the current draft order. The team with the next sequential selection in that age group will begin the process. The random drawing will be completed by the PONY board member(s) assigned to supervise that draft. [2004]
h. Once drafted onto a team, a player may not be traded or otherwise switched to another team without approval of the league Board of Directors.

MUSTANG, BRONCO, & PONY DIVISIONS will select in-house while only BRONCO & PONY divisions will select PONY National Tournament All-star teams. [2006] Please reference the Allstar selection guidelines document for team selection, coach selection, and game formats. [2004]
SHETLAND [2014] & PINTO DIVISION. There are no All-Star games or tournaments.
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Section 7 – PLAYING FIELDS
Oswegoland PONY Baseball has no variants to this section.

Section 8 - EQUIPMENT
SHETLAND AND PINTO DIVISION. The ball is a safety or reduced injury type of ball.
SHETLAND, PINTO, MUSTANG, and BRONCO DIVISIONS. No metal cleats allowed. [2006]
PONY DIVISION. Metal cleats allowed. [2019]

All uniforms worn in any game including pants, jerseys, and hats must be supplied or distributed by the board or their delegates. Each game a team plays with improper equipment is a forfeit. A single player with lost or damaged equipment does not require a forfeit. [2003]

Catchers are required to wear proper protective equipment including a mask with throat guard, chest protector, shin guards, athletic supporter with cup and NOCSAE approved headgear which gives protection to the top of the head and both ears when catching behind the plate. Any player serving as a catcher to warm up a pitcher shall wear full protective equipment (including a mask with throat guard, chest protector, shin guards, athletic supporter with cup and NOCSAE approved headgear which gives protection to the top of the head and both ears), whether the pitcher is warming up from the mound, in the bullpen or elsewhere.[2014]
C-Effective January 1, 2018, with the exception of the -3 bat (BBCOR certified), all other 2-1/4” and 2-5/8” minus factor bats (-5, -7, -9, etc.) must be certified with the USAB at licensing stamp on the bat in order to be used for league and tournament play. 2-1/4” and 2-5/8” minus factor bats (-5, -7, -9, etc.) used in 2017 will be illegal to use in 2018. OBSA has not adopted this rule. 

Section 9 – PLAYING RULES

ALL DIVISIONS The Home Team occupies the 3rd base dugout. [2014]
ALL DIVISIONS shall enforce the "Avoid Contact Rule." This rule states, "any runner is out when the runner does not slide or attempt to avoid contact with a fielder who is in the act of fielding the ball at a base." If a fielder at a base is about to receive a thrown ball, and if the ball is in flight directly toward and near enough to the fielder so that he or she must occupy his position to receive the ball, he or she may be considered to be "in the act of fielding the ball.

ALL DIVISIONS utilize a continuous batting order, where all players present are placed in the batting order and bat in turn regardless of their status as a defensive player. Players arriving late are placed at the end of the batting order and bat when that turn arrives. For a player who becomes ill, is injured, is ejected, or who voluntarily removes himself/herself from the game, the batting spot of the player so removed will be passed over and will not be recorded as an out. [2003]
PINTO DIVISION. During games, umpires will call balls and strikes as pitched by players. Three strikes is an out. [2012]
PINTO DIVISION. If a batted ball strikes the designated adult pitcher, the ball is dead. The pitch shall not count, and no runners may advance.
PINTO DIVISION. The catchers' position must always be filled.
PINTO DIVISION. A live ball situation for a ball hit to the outfield shall be declared "dead" and all play shall cease when the ball is returned to the possession of any defensive player who is within the imaginary diamond as constituted by the baselines. When this occurs, the umpire shall declare that the play is "dead", and all offensive base runners shall be instructed to return to the last base that each successfully occupied before play was declared "dead" unless the base is occupied. Until these conditions have been met, the ball remains "live" and in play. The judgment of the umpire as it regards "the last base successfully occupied" is final, and is not subject to appeal. [2004]
PINTO & MUSTANG DIVISIONS. 10 players can be used in the field. The 10th player must be used as a 4th outfielder. [2003] PINTO [2006] & MUSTANG DIVISIONS. The strike zone is from the chin to the bottom of the knees.
PINTO & MUSTANG DIVISIONS. The batter may not take 1st base on a dropped 3rd strike.
PINTO & MUSTANG DIVISIONS. No "Infield Fly Rule" will be called. [2004]
PINTO DIVISION. No player will play the same fielding position more than two innings (except catcher). All players must play an infield position for two innings minimum. Players must play in the infield during the first three innings of the game. All players not in the field must go into the field the next inning and cannot sit out two innings in a row. Players cannot sit out of a fielding position a second time until all the players have sat out once. All players will rotate games as starters. [2009]
MUSTANG DIVISION. No player will play the same fielding position more than two innings (except catcher). All players must play an infield position for two innings minimum. Players must play in the infield during the first three innings of the game. All players not in the field must go into the field the next inning and cannot sit out two innings in a row. Players cannot sit out of a fielding position a second time until all the players have sat out once. All players will rotate games as starters. [2009] MUSTANG DIVISION. Oswegoland PONY Baseball uses Option 3 from the PONY rulebook with these additions:

Stealing only 2nd base and 3rd base is allowed. Runners are not allowed to steal home.
A runner may advance to 2nd base or 3rd base on a wild pitch, passed ball, or wild pick-off attempt. Runners cannot advance to home base on any of the above situations.
A runner may only steal one base during the same live ball situation, or after a pitched ball crosses home plate.

o EXAMPLE 1: Player "A", the runner on 2nd base, attempts to steal 3rd base. The catcher's throw to 3rd base goes into left field. Player "A" must remain on 3rd base.

o EXAMPLE 2: Player "A", the runner on 1st base, attempts to steal 2nd base. The catcher's throw to 2nd base goes into the outfield. Player "A" must remain on 2nd base. [2005]

o NOTE: This rule deals only with attempted steals. It does not pertain to runners advancing after a batted ball or being awarded bases during a live or dead ball.

MUSTANG DIVISION. The first time per team a base runner leaves early, the team is given a warning and it is a dead ball, the pitch does not count, and all base runners must return to their bases. After a team has received ONE WARNING for leaving early, all subsequent team members that leave early will be called out. Umpires, upon noticing any runner not touching a base while running shall call the runner out automatically without the need of an appeal by the defensive team. Tag-up violations will be treated in the same manner.

BRONCO DIVISION. Umpires will monitor balks during games through May 31st and only issue warnings with the idea of teaching the rule. Balks will be enforced during games starting June 1st with each pitcher receiving one warning before enforcement of the rule. [2004]

BRONCO DIVISION. No player will play the same fielding position more than three innings (except pitcher and catcher). All players must play an infield position for two innings minimum. Players must play in the infield during the first three innings of the game. All players not in the field must go into the field the next inning and cannot sit out two innings in a row. Players cannot sit out of a fielding position a second time until all the players have sat out once. All players will rotate games as starters. [2014]
PONY DIVISION. No player will play the same fielding position more than four innings (except pitcher and catcher). Players must play in the infield during the first three innings of the game. All players not in the field must go into the field the next inning and cannot sit out two innings in a row. All players will rotate games as starters. [2019]

BRONCO & PONY DIVISIONS. Runners may lead-off and steal bases, as in Official Baseball Rules. [2004]
BRONCO & PONY DIVISIONS. The strike zone is from the armpit to the top of the knee. Courtesy runners for pitchers and catchers may be used at any time and are highly recommended to help speed up play. Courtesy runners must be the last recorded out. Pitchers and catchers are defined as those players fielding that position in the next half inning. [2003] [2004] PONY DIVISION. Balks will be enforced with each pitcher receiving one warning before enforcement of the rule. [2011]
COLT DIVISION teams are governed by the League Board of Directors but adhere to all of the rules of the league in which they play.

Section 10, PITCHING RULES
BRONCO & PONY DIVISIONS: At least one pitcher from the younger age group (i.e. 11 years old in Bronco and 13 years old in Pony) must record a minimum of three outs during the first 4 innings in [2009] the course of regulation play (i.e. the first 7 innings of play). Teams may utilize more than one pitcher from the younger age group for the purpose of complying with this rule, and the outs recorded by the younger age group pitcher(s) need not be consecutive. [2006] A team will be considered to have complied with the rule if a pitcher(s) from the younger age group pitches the entire inning in which the maximum allowable runs are scored by the opposing team before three outs have been recorded in the half inning. [2006] A team will not be held in violation of this rule if an "Official" game is called because of darkness or weather before seven innings have been completed and the younger age group pitcher(s) has not yet fulfilled their minimum pitching requirements. [2006] If a game is suspended before it becomes "Official", and a team has not yet fulfilled the younger age group pitcher(s) requirements, the team will be required to comply with the rule when the game is resumed.
VIOLATION OF THIS RULE WILL RESULT IN A FORFEITURE OF THE GAME BY THE OFFENDING TEAM.
BRONCO DIVISION [2014] pitchers shall not pitch in more than 3 innings on the same calendar day. The other pitching restrictions of innings per week, 40-hour rest, and innings calculations are enforced as stated in the PONY rulebook.
PONY DIVISION [2011] pitchers shall not pitch in more than 4 innings on the same calendar day. The other pitching restrictions of innings per week, 40-hour rest, and innings calculations are enforced as stated in the PONY rulebook. [2005]
PINTO DIVISION. This option will be used beginning June 1st. [2006]
1. Pitchers will be limited to one inning per game.
2. Players will pitch all innings.
3. Walks will not be issued. When ball four is thrown by the pitcher, a designated coach from the batter's team will throw 3 additional pitches to that batter. If the third strike is fouled then the batter receives one more pitch. If the batter has failed to hit a fair ball after the allotted pitches, the player is then called out. [2009].
MUSTANG DIVISION The pitching restrictions of innings per calendar day, innings per week, 40-hour rest, and innings calculations are enforced as stated in the PONY rulebook.[2014]
ALL DIVISIONS No pitcher may reenter game in the pitcher position at any time during that game. [2004]
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Section 11 – LENGTH OF GAMES
SHETLAND DIVISION No new inning will begin 1 hour and 15 minutes after the start of the game.
PINTO DIVISION. No new inning shall begin more than 1 hour and 30 minutes after the starting time of the game. The actual, rather than the scheduled starting time shall be used as the beginning point to determine when the two-hour limit has been reached. If a regulation game ends in a tie, one extra inning will be played if less than 2 hours of time has elapsed from the starting time of the game. After one extra inning has been played, the game will end in a tie if one team has not taken the lead.
SHETLAND AND PINTO DIVISION The home team will always bat in the last inning regardless of the score.
SHETLAND AND PINTO DIVISION. There is a maximum of 5 runs per half inning including the last inning. [2006]
SHETLAND, PINTO & MUSTANG DIVISIONS. There is no slaughter rule.
MUSTANG DIVISION. No new inning may begin after 10:00pm local time. Note, all other divisions revert to the PONY rulebook for latest time to begin a new inning. [2005]
MUSTANG DIVISION. There is a maximum of 5 runs per half inning except for the 6th inning and extra innings. (2011) MUSTANG, BRONCO, AND PONY DIVISIONS. No new inning shall begin more than two hours after the starting time of the game. The actual, rather than the scheduled starting time shall be used as the beginning point to determine when the two-hour limit has been reached. All play will conclude by 10:30pm. If the game has not reached a completed inning at 10:30pm, the final score will revert back to the previously completed full inning. (2011)
BRONCO AND PONY DIVISIONS For weeknight 5:30 games AT OHS #2 and OHS #3 with a 7:50 game following, there shall be no new inning after 1 hour and 50 minutes (7:20pm). There is a strict two hour time limit on all 5:30 games, which must end at 7:30. If the game is not over prior to or at 7:30, the final score is determined by the score of the previous inning. If it was a tie, then it is officially a tie. This time restraint applies to both In House and Travel teams. [2011]

BRONCO [2017] DIVISION. There is a maximum 5 runs per half inning except for the 7th inning. No team will be credited for more than 5 runs an inning. [2010]
PONY [2014] DIVISION. There is a maximum 7 runs per half inning except for the 7th inning. No team will be credited for more than 7 runs an inning. [2010]

BRONCO & PONY DIVISIONS. After 5 complete innings, a 10 run slaughter rule will be enforced. The 10 run rule will be in affect after the completion of 5 innings. If the home team is up by 10 runs entering the bottom of the 5th, the game is over, just like at the end of a regulation game. [2010]
ALL DIVISIONS Players that were not in the line-up of the suspended game are eligible to play in the resumed game and must be added to the bottom of the batting order. [2002]

Section 12 - SCHEDULE

As regards to cancellation of a game due to inclement weather, the following procedure shall exist:

•   Coaches and/or League Commissioners will determine the play-ability of all fields. [2006] If they rule a field un- playable, the game is postponed and will be rescheduled by the Age Group Coordinator.

•   If the field has not been deemed un-playable by the Coaches and/or League Commissioners, but inclement weather has occurred or appears imminent and the game has not yet started, the coaches shall agree on the appropriate action. [2006] If the coaches cannot agree, the home plate umpire shall make the final decision regarding play-ability.

•   Once the game has begun, the home plate umpire shall make the final decision regarding play-ability.

•   Rescheduled games must be treated the same as games on the original schedule and forfeits apply. Rainouts shall be

  made up on the next open date. The only exception to this is if the Division Coordinator determines scheduling on the

  next open date will result in a forfeit situation. [2003]

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  Section 13 - UMPIRES

  The home plate umpire will stand behind the catcher at all levels.

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  Section 14 - SCOREKEEPERS

  The "Home" Team will keep the official scorebook.
  Pitching statistics (names of pitchers and innings pitched) must be kept by both teams. The opposing manager or coach must approve each game's pitching statistics with his or hers initials. [2004]
  Prior to the start of the game, the manager of each team shall give to the opposing manager a line-up card that lists the complete batting order, which includes the name, number, and playing position of each starting player.
  Scorebooks and pitching statistics must be made available for review by any coach or board member upon request. [2002] [2004]

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  Section 15 - SPONSORS
  Oswegoland PONY Baseball has no variants to this section.

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  Section 16 – MANAGERS AND COACHES
  Each manager may submit to the board for approval, up to two emergency alternate coaches. If an emergency alternate coach is not submitted to and approved by the board prior to the start of the regular season, the team will forfeit any game (regular or suspended) when neither member of the coaching team can be present. [2014]

•   No player will be permitted to coach the bases at any point. [2010]

•   Players, managers, and coaches shall remain in the dugouts, on the benches, or in the prescribed areas throughout

  the game.

•   The use of tobacco, alcohol, or illegal drugs in any form, by players or adult leaders in the dugout, on the benches, or

  on the playing field shall not be permitted. This is repeated here from the PONY rulebook for emphasis.

•   Coaches interested in coaching or managing one of the Tournament / All-star teams need to submit their interest in

  writing along with a brief resume of their qualifications to the Board President. Coaching selections will be made by the

  League Board of Directors.

•   The League's Executive Board approves all managers and coaches.

•   At least one official coach must be present for the duration of every game. If a coaching team knows neither can be

  present for a game, a league approved alternate must be used.
  PINTO DIVISION. A maximum of two defensive coaches shall be allowed on the playing field, behind the outfielders for purpose of instructing defensive players. Additional time-outs are allowed as needed

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  Section 17 – ORGANIZATION LEAGUE DECISIONS COMMITTEE
  All protests will be heard by an Executive Board committee. The committee shall exist within
  the provisions set forth in the Protests section of the PONY rulebook.

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  Section 18 - PENALTIES

A team failing to field at least eight uniformed players within 15 minutes after the scheduled starting time of the game (regular or suspended) shall forfeit the game.
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Section 19 - PROTESTS
Oswegoland PONY Baseball has no variants to this section.

Section 20 – GENERAL CONDUCT

Oswegoland PONY Baseball fully supports the policies of the Oswegoland Park District and School District #308 as they pertain to the use of alcohol and drugs on district properties. The following situations result in immediate ejection and potential suspensions: [2003]

1. The use of obscene and/or foul language or gestures by players, coaches, and fans.

2. Fighting, whether on the field of play or in the stands.

3. The deliberate throwing of helmets, bats, or other equipment by players, coaches, or fans. No warnings need be given

   for these violations. The League's Executive Board will handle further disciplinary action. Minimum penalties are as

   follows:

Player- A Player is ejected from the remainder of the game in which the violation occurred. The player is confined to the bench for the remainder of the game. The umpire may dismiss the player from the field if necessary. For #1 or #2, the player must also serve a one game suspension and is not be eligible to play in the next scheduled game. Suspensions must be served in uniform on the bench or the suspension will carry over to the next game.
Coach - A Coach is ejected for the remainder of the game in which the violation occurred and must serve a one game suspension for the next scheduled game. The coach must leave the field of play and otherwise not be in attendance. The coach may appeal his or her ejection to the League's Board of Directors. The appeal must be made within 24 hours of the ejection.
It is the obligation of the manager and coaches for each team to address any unacceptable behavior, as described above, by parents or other fans sitting at the field. This is necessary because it is often an unfair expectation of the umpires because of their age. [2004]
Fan - A fan must leave the field of play and otherwise not be in attendance. For #1 & #2, the fan must also serve a one game suspension and not be in attendance.
Umpire Action -- Within 48 hours of any ejection, the home plate umpire must forward to the League's Board of Directors a written report detailing the offenses and all the facts leading up to and following ejection(s).
Tournament Rules & Regulations · This section does not pertain to Oswegoland PONY Baseball tournaments. Only teams in the PONY National Tournament at the end of the season abide by these rules. [2002]