2017 SUMMARY RULES SHEET – FOR PRE-GAME USED DATED 4/21/17
(SUMMARY ONLY, THE COMPLETE RULES ARE BINDING)
1.
BAT RULES (SEE PAGE 1 OF THE RULES):
ALL LEVELS: All bats are allowed that have a STAMPED BPF of 1.15 and meet the size and
weight requirements established for each age group. 2 5/8 inch diameter barrel bats are
allowed for ages 10 – 14.
2.
DISCOVERY OF AN ILLEGAL BAT (SEE PAGE 6 OF THE RULES):
AN ILLEGAL BAT MAY BE DETERMINED UPON AN APPEAL OR AN UMPIRES CALL ONCE
THE BATTER HAS ENTERED THE BATTER’S BOX WITH THE BAT. THE ILLEGAL BAT
THEREFORE MAY BE DISCOVERED FROM THIS POINT IN TIME FORWARD, UP UNTIL THE
FIRST PITCH OF THE IMMEDIATELY SUBSEQUENT AT BAT OCCURS. ALL OUTCOMES ARE
DESCRIBED IN THE COMPLETE RULES.
3.
STALLING (SEE PAGES 4 AND 5 OF THE RULES):
NO TEAM SHALL PURPOSEFULLY DELAY ANY GAME WITH THE INTENT OF GAINING AN
UNFAIR ADVANTAGE. THE UMPIRE IN CHIEF IS THE SOLE JUDGE AS TO WHETHER
INTENTIONAL DELAYS ARE BEING MADE. AN OFFENDING TEAM WILL BE GIVEN A
WARNING FOLLOWED BY AN AUTOMATIC FORFEITURE FOR ANY SUBSEQUENT
VIOLATION.
4.
MERCY RULE (SEE PAGE 7 OF THE RULES):
FOR ALL DIVISIONS THE MERCY RULE IS 10 RUNS AFTER 4 FULL INNINGS OR 3.5 INNINGS
IF THE HOME TEAM IS LEADING.
5.
SLIDING (SEE PAGES 8 AND 9 OF THE RULES):
HEAD FIRST SLIDES INTO A BAG ARE NOT ALLOWED IN ANY DIVISION BUT PONY 14 AND
THEN HEAD FIRST SLIDES ARE NOT ALLOWED INTO HOME PLATE. AN ILLEGAL HEAD
FIRST SLIDE WILL RESULT IN THE RUNNER BEING CALLED OUT.
6.
BALKS (SEE PAGES 11 AND 12 OF THE RULES):
THERE ARE NOT BALKS IN PINTO and MUSTANG (EXCEPT IN 10A). IN 10A AND IN
BRONCO THERE IS ONE BALK WARNING PER PITCHER, PER GAME. IN PONY THERE ARE
NO BALK WARNINGS.
7.
CURVE BALLS (SEE PAGES 11 AND 12 OF THE RULES)
CURVE BALLS ARE ONLY ALLOWED AT THE PONY LEVEL. THE UMPIRE SHALL BE THE
SOLE DETERMINER OF WHETHER A PITCH IS A CURVEBALL OR NOT. VIOLATIONS ARE A
DEAD BALL AND AUTOMATIC CALLED BALL.
8.
SPEED UP – CATCHER’S SUBSTITUTION (SEE PAGE 7 OF THE RULES)
NEXT SCHEDULED CATCHER MUST BE REPLACED WITH A COURTESY RUNNER WHEN
THERE ARE 2 OUTS. NO COURTESY RUNNERS FOR PITCHERS.
OTHER MATTERS:
> PITCHING LIMITS are NOW BASED on PITCH COUNT – SEE RULES PAGE 10.
> Review Time Allotted for the game prior to the start of the game to avoid
misunderstandings. 8U has a 2-hour time limit for games.
> 10A Rules play dropped 3rd strikes, allow lead offs, play 65 foot bases, and have NO wall at
3rd.
> There are NEW RULES regarding Stealing at the 8U and 9U levels. Be sure to review these
before game time. (SEE PAGE 8 OF THE RULES)