Minor League Ponies- Coach Pitch
1. Ages 7 and 8- 1st and 2nd grade
2. The ball used is an approved 11 inch fluorescent softball.
3. The pitching rubber will be set at 34 feet. Bases will be set at 60 feet.
4. Ponies will have 10 players in the field. Only the pitcher, catcher, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and SS may play inside base lines until the ball is hit.
5. An offensive team coach will pitch 5 pitches to each batter. All batters shall receive 5 pitches unless they strike out or hit a fair ball before the 5th pitch. 4 pitches constitute 2 strikes. The batter cannot be called out on a foul ball if it is their last pitch. NOTE: A foul tip caught by the catcher is a strike.
6. You will bat your roster, with 3 outs or 7 runs ending the inning.
7. No walks, no bases awarded for being hit by a pitched ball.
8. A batter who throws a bat in a dangerous manner will be given 1 warning by the umpire. If the same batter again throws the bat, they will be called out. If it happens a 3rd time the batter will be called out and ejected from the game. Each occurrence will be noted in the scorebook.
9. Base runners will stay in contact with the bases until the ball reaches home plate. There will be no stealing of any bases. Penalty: The runner is out
10. Regulation games are 6 innings or 1 1/2 hours time limit. No inning of a league game will be started after the starting time of a late game except that no game can end in a tie. If no late game is scheduled the full game will be played.
11. Catchers must wear full protective gear.
12. No team shall use more the 1 minute between innings (NF rule6-2-2-C-)
13. No throwing the ball around the infield after an out.
14. No infield fly rule.
15. Official softball bats will be used. Bats longer than 29 inches are not allowed.
16. All subs must be in by the start of the 3rd inning. Penalty: Forfeiture.
17. All runners, batters, on deck batters, and players coaching a base must wear approved batting helmets that are in good condition and properly fitted (NF rule) with manufactured approved chin strap.
18. A 10-run rule will be in effect for Ponies after 5 complete innings.
19. Coach/Pitcher must make attempt to get out of the way of a hit ball. Coach hit by batted ball is a dead ball.
20. Once runner stops running, she may not advance, when the pitcher has control of the ball inside of the pitchers circle (NF rule)
21. When a ball is hit; play is stopped when a defensive infielder is in full control of the ball and has stopped the runner’s forward progress. Runners may only advance 1 base on the initial overthrow at their own risk. If an attempt to throw a runner out after advancing on the initial overthrow, the base runner may not advance another base if that base is overthrown.
22. Pitcher must wear helmet
23. The Coach Pitcher cannot actively coach the batters or runners (example: telling the batter not to swing) 1st offense-warning, 2nd offense-change coach pitcher
24. Facemask, Chin Straps and a double first base will be utilized.