Revised 3/10/07

 

                   BRONCO INTER - CITY RULES

 

 

TIME LIMITS / INNINGS (If an inning starts before the time limit expires, the entire inning is to be completed. Start times for games will be observed as scheduled with a 15-minute grace period allowed for the minimum players necessary to start the game. FORFEIT after the 15 minute grace period has elapsed)

Ø      2 hr & 15 minutes or 7 innings, which ever comes first.

*      Tied games will be extended until a decision is reached, but not to exceed 9 innings or time allotted.  No new inning will be started after time limit has expired.  However, if there is 1 minute left in the time limit, a new inning will start. 

Ø      10 Run rule after 5 innings, 4 ½ if home team ahead.

 

SUBSTITUTIONS / PLAYER PARTICIPATION

 

Ø      If a team can’t field (9) players, can play with 8 (9th spot is NOT AN AUTOMATIC OUT). Includes if a player is ejected from the game, it is still not an automatic out.

Ø      Each player must play 6 consecutive defensive outs in the field and have one completed plate appearance. PENALTY: Forfeit

·         Exception: Game called by rule of umpire, injury to player, time limit or 10 run rule.

Ø      Unlimited substitutions when all players have met their participation requirements. Re-entry of substitute must be in the same batting order which they were first submitted in.  I.e. Cannot be inputted in the lineup in 5th spot if already inserted once in 3rd spot.  Must re-enter in the 3rd spot again.

Ø      Teams cannot borrow from other teams to meet the playing requirements.

 

CONDUCT:

·         Any player, coach, or manager that swears or uses offensive language shall be automatically ejected from the game.  Any outburst or refusal to heed a warning by the Umpire may be ejected from the game at Umpires Discretion.

·         No food (seeds, gum, beverages, etc., other than water) allowed in the dugouts.  This rule is to help keep all city fields/dugouts clean.

 

THROWING BAT

Ø      Accidental (Any bat that strikes or comes dangerously close to striking a player): 1st time: Team warning / 2nd time: Player causing infraction from the team already warned is called out.  Umpire’s discretion is such incident is intentional.

Ø      Intentional: Player is called out and ejected from the game.  Ball is dead and all runners return to the last base touched at time of infraction.

 

PITCHING (One pitch constitutes an inning)

Ø      No more than 5 innings in a single game, 7 in a calendar day, if playing two games in one day, and 10 per week (Mon-Sun). One pitch in an inning shall constitute a full inning pitched.  PENALTY: Forfeit

Ø     Must have 40 hours rest after pitching 4 innings in one calendar day

Ø     Open pitching.  All types of pitches may be thrown by the pitcher.

Ø     No intentional walks allowed.  Batter must be pitched too.

Ø     Balks will be enforced, NO WARNINGS

 

 

FAKE TAGS

  1. A fielder who fakes a tag without the ball shall be ruled interference and runner(s) will be allowed to advance one base.

 

BATTING/ BASERUNNING

Ø      Batters must have one foot in the batters box between pitchers while taking signs from the coach: Penalty: Called strike every 3 seconds after Umpire warns or tells batter to get back into the box.  This can be enforced at any time during the game.

Ø      Courtesy runner is allowed for only the CATCHER ONLY when there are two outs.  Such courtesy runner can run for only one player in an inning.  Courtesy runner is a player currently not in the batting lineup.  Meaning, occupying the bench during that inning. If a team is playing with only 9 (or 10 if using an EH) in the lineup, then the player making the 2nd out of the inning may be considered as a courtesy runner for the Catcher.  Courtesy Runner is for the Last Defensive Catcher that was on the field.  Not a substitute for the next inning.

Ø      E-H Rule: The E-H rule is not mandatory, however, if the E-H is used, the manager must declare the use of an E-H prior to the start of the game. The E-H position shall be considered the same as any other position. Normal substitution rules apply. However, any team that begins play using a E-H must maintain a 10 player line-up throughout the game. If due to injury, ejection, disciplinary action by the coach, or a player has to leave for any reason, and the team falls to nine players, no out shall be called each time the E-H position comes to bat.  The EH position shall remain the same position in the lineup at the time the EH position is dropped during the game. The E-H player must also play 6 consecutive defensive outs along with one completed plate appearance. However, once a player leaves the game, they may not return into the lineup.

Ø      No continuous batting order allowed

 

SLIDING

No mandatory slide rule, however, a runner who does not slide will be called out by the umpire if there is substantial body to body contact with a player applying a tag, making a catch in order to apply a tag or making a catch in order to make a lay on another runner. The ball is dead and all runners must return to the last base touched at time of contact. If the umpire rules the contact was flagrant, regardless if the slide rule was not in effect (throw down the line), the runner is out and ejected, the ball is dead and all runners return to the last base touched at time of contact.

Ø      Exception: Incidental contact or obstruction. Enforcement and rule interpretation is umpires judgment.

Ø      Metal cleats are allowed but not mandatory in Broncos.

 

PROTESTS

There are no protests to the Scheduler.  Any protests/issues shall be determined at the time of infraction by the Umpire.  Remember, protests are for baseball rules violations or Pony Intercity Rules violation. Not judgment calls made by the Umpires.

 

INTERCITY RULES

Intercity Rules shall be abided by at all times when teams from different Pony Chapters are playing each other.  To remain consistent, NO side agreements shall be made for one particular game that is different than the Intercity Rule.  Any side agreements outside of the Intercity Rules shall constitute a Forfeit for both teams.  Umpires should not be involved in the side agreements and should two teams decided on playing outside the Intercity Rules, Umpires may declare game forfeit and leave, still being paid for their services. 

 

However, if two teams from the SAME Pony Chapter are playing each other, they may have their own By-Laws within to play by and may do so.  Salinas Chapter shall include South County teams as they are registered with Salinas.