SHETLAND DIVISION RULES

Revised 4/07

The Shetland division is an instructional division designed to build the child’s softball skills while having fun.  The children are our first concern.  Teach them softball, good sportsmanship and build their self-esteem.  Most importantly, make it fun.

GAME LENGTH:        Games will be no more then 5 innings or 1-hour.  (Whichever comes 1^st?)

UMPIRES:                   Home team supplies the umpire to keep the game moving.

SPECIAL RULES

1. An adult woman must be present at all practices, games and team functions.

2. A 10” incrediball shall be used for league play.

3. Batters are not permitted to bunt or swing easy at the ball.

4. Jewelry such as wrist watches, bracelets, large or loop type earrings, neck chains, or any other item judged dangerous by the umpire may not be worn during the game.  Medical alert bracelets or necklaces are not considered jewelry but if worn they must be taped to the body.

HOUSE RULES

1. All players must be in full uniform while on the field during a game.

2. Batters are not permitted to bunt or swing easy at the ball.  A 10-foot arc is located in front of home plate.  Any batted ball, which does not travel beyond that line, will be considered a foul ball.

3. All batting helmets must have a protective faceguard and be worn by all offensive players who enter the field of play.  (Including on deck hitters)

4. No double or triple plays.  If a player is thrown out on any base that player is out and must return to the dugout.

5. Base runners are not permitted to leadoff base and shall remain in contact with the base until the batter hits the ball.

6. Up to 12 defensive players will be on the field.  Six in the infield and a maximum of six in the outfield.  All players must play in the infield at least two innings during the game.  Players are to rotate in all of the positions.  This is to teach all of the children all of the positions.  The league recommends rotation every inning.  (Infield positions are: Catcher, Pitcher, First, Second and Third base, Shortstop).  Players may not play any position for more than two consecutive innings.

7. Home Team is responsible for returning the tee to the snack bar after each game.

8. Home Team is located on the third base side of the field.

9. No sliding at first base to avoid injury to young players.

10. All players on the roster will bat when their turn comes up.

11. The batting tee will be used only after failing to hit a fair ball after five pitches.  Batters will not strike out.

12. Coach/Pitcher must pitch from within the pitching circle, approximately 38 feet.  The league recommends pitching from the kneeling position.

13. Base runners are not allowed to take more than one base on an infield hit.  They may not advance on an overthrow.  Two bases maximum for balls that make it to the outfield, unless hit fair over the fence.

14. The offensive half of the inning is over after three outs have occurred, or five runs are scored.

15. All coaching will be positive.  No comments toward opposing players, coaches or spectators will be tolerated.

16. Coaches are allowed on the field to help field players in position.  Defensive coaches will make the calls of outs / safe.

17. Coaches remember that you are the roll models for our children and as such are expected to refrain from the use of foul language, alcohol and tobacco while at practice, or while using HYB facilities.

18. These fields belong to the HYB family.  Please have the players help in maintaining them by cleaning the dugouts after each game.

ONE FINAL NOTE:  As a coach, you hold the future of these children and HYB in your hands.  We entrust our teams to your care.  HYB expects responsible leadership from our coaches, players and parents.

MUSTANG DIVISION RULES

Revised 4/07

GAME LENGTH:  Games will be no more than six innings or 1½-hours.  No inning will begin after 1½-hours.

RULES:  Playing rules will follow official Pony League Rulebook with the following exceptions or additions.

SPECIAL RULES

1. An adult woman must be present at all practices, games and team functions.

2. An 11” softball shall be used for league play.

3. Lead-Offs are allowed only after the ball has left the pitchers hand.

4. Speed-up rule, runner for the catcher with two outs.  Last out will be the runner.

5. Bunting is allowed.

6. Jewelry such as wrist watches, bracelets, large or loop type earrings, neck chains, or any other item judged dangerous by the umpire may not be worn during the game.  Medical alert bracelets or necklaces are not considered jewelry but if worn they must be taped to the body.

HOUSE RULES

1. Home team will take infield first ten (10) minutes with visiting team following.  With less than 20 minutes until have time, teams will split infield time equally.  Games will start on time.

2. All players attending the game will bat.  Players arriving after the start of the game will bat at the end of the line-up.

3. Mandatory Play Rule: No player will sit in the dugout consecutively more than one defensive inning.

4. All batting helmets must have a protective faceguard and be worn by all offensive players who enter the field of play.  (Including on deck hitters).

5. No metal cleats.

6. Each member of the coaching staff must wear uniform shirts and Baseball/Softball pants.

7. Turning at first base toward second base shows intent of the runner to run to second base and is at risk of being tagged out.

8. Runners at third base shall not leave the base until the ball has left the pitcher’s hand.

9. Slide or avoid rule is in effect.

10. Home team will keep the official scorebook.

11. Maximum of two minutes between innings.

12. Players must be instructed in proper handling of the bat.  Thrown bat will result in (1) Warning (2) Batter being called out (3) Batter being ejected from the game.

13. Pitchers can pitch (3) innings a game, six (6) innings in a calendar week, with a mandatory 48 hours rest in between games if more than two (2) innings are pitched in the prior game.  Once a pitcher has been removed from the pitching plate, that pitcher cannot return to the plate during the game.

14. THE PITCH:  A legal delivery shall be a ball which is delivered to the batter with an underhand motion.

The pitcher may use any wind-up desired provided there is no stop or reversal of the forward motion.

The pitch starts when one hand is taken off the ball or the pitcher makes any motion that is part of the wind up after the hands have been brought together.

The pitcher shall not take more than one step which must be forward, towards the batter and simultaneous with the delivery of the ball to the batter.

15. Five (5) run rule.  Five run maximum in any one inning by the same team, except the last inning of play.  5/8 rule on innings.

16. Batters must keep one foot in the batter’s box between pitches.

17. Dropped 3^rd strike rule is in effect.

18. Coaches cannot grab base runners at anytime.  If a coach physically assists, the runner will be called out.

19. No arguing with the umpire over judgment calls.  Protest of rule interpretations will be directed to the Umpire in chief by the coach immediately following the rule infraction once time is called.  The coach must show the sated rule in the rulebook within three minutes to the Umpire in chief.  The Umpire in chief will then render a decision.  All protest cease at this point.

20. The coaching staff will behave in a responsible manner and as positive role models.  No dissension towards umpires, opposing players, or spectators will be tolerated.  Coaches are responsible for the behavior of themselves, their players and their spectators.

21. Please have your players and parents help clean up around the dugout and field after every game.

ONE FINAL NOTE:  As a coach, you hold the future of these children and HYB in your hands.  We entrust our teams to your care.  HYB expects responsible leadership from our coaches, players and parents.