OBGC Pinto League Baseball
Rules and Regulations
2012 Fall Season
This document contains the OBGC rules and regulations that pertain to the 2012 Pinto Machine Pitch
League. If any rule conflicts with High School Federation baseball rules, follow these OBGC rules.
The goal is to teach our young ballplayers teamwork, leadership and sportsmanship and it is the
responsibility of each coach to be role models to our children when coaching these games. We will exhibit
these traits by adhering to all the rules identified in this document.
General Rules/Guidelines
Based on player and coach registration, every team will begin the season with between 11-13 players
on its roster.
Coaches should have defensive lineups/batting orders (including players’ names and uniform
numbers) completed prior to the beginning of each game and should exchange lineups with opposing
coach. No driving to the fields to drop off equipment. You risk a ticket and it puts OBGC and the
ballplayers’ sports in jeopardy by having our field permits revoked. You must carry the pitching
machine equipment from the parking lots. Use a wheelbarrow or a wagon or ask assistant coaches
and parents to arrive early enough to assist you with the equipment.
Coaches are responsible to clean and remove all trash after a game. All the fields have a trashin/trash-out policy. Leaving the fields with trash will once again cause problems with the various
agencies when trying to renew field permits. You may want to use the snack schedule to assign team
parents trash duty too.
Players, coaches, and spectators are not allowed to stand directly behind the backstop. This is so the
catcher, pitcher, batter and umpire are not distracted.
Only players and coaches should be allowed in the dugouts or on the playing field during a game. No
bat boys allowed.
Human nature certainly comes into play when coaching. Coaches, players and parents enjoy winning.
However, because the regular season standings are irrelevant to post season play, it is strongly
recommended that you to move all players around defensively in order to give them more
opportunities to gain experience and confidence in their abilities. You will be tempted to hide your
weaker players at positions that do not often get a lot of activity. You should resist that temptation if
you want all of the players to fully develop. Occasionally, adjust your batting order to give weaker
batters more at bats. With that said, give proper consideration to safety at all times. If a player can't
get his/her glove on a ball, first base or pitcher may not be the best place to put that particular player.
Sportsmanship
Players/Coaches and Parents will not taunt or tease players on the opposing team.
Clapping of the hands or wildly waving a bat with the intent to distract or deceive players on the
opposing team will not be permitted.
Deliberately removing the batting helmet when on the playing field while the ball is alive will not be
permitted.
Throwing a batting helmet, bat or glove on or off the playing field will not be permitted.
Penalty for unsportsmanlike activity: each team will be given one warning; the next infraction will be
declared an out for the violating team. If the same individual is repeatedly warned, that person will be
ejected from that game. Ejected players will be allowed to stay at the field and watch the game while
sitting on the team bench.
Season Standings and OBGC Playoffs
OBGC does not maintain regular season win/loss records or standings. Winning or losing a regular
season game has no bearing on post season playoff seeding. Playoff seeding is determined by blind
draw. The season will conclude with a, end-of-season tournament that will determine the league
champion. Playoff format will be determined based off the number of teams in the league and can be
shortened due to weather conditions. All teams participate in the playoffs.
Playoff games will be played to completion. A game not completing three (3) full innings will be
replayed in its entirety. A game completing more than three (3) innings will be resumed from the exact
inning and game situation at another time and location determined by the League Coordinator. If the
latter occurs, make certain that the two scorekeepers agree fully on the game situation (e.g., number
of outs, position of base runners, etc.) when play is suspended.
Uniforms/Equipment
All players will wear shirts and hats provided by OBGC. No other uniforms are allowed.
All players must wear long baseball pants or sweats.
All male players must wear a protective cup. This is imperative at the catcher position. Coaches will
not allow any male player without a cup to play catcher. It is suggested that you insist that all male
players wear a cup at all times, this can help when needing to quickly replace a catcher in the middle
of a game.
Players may use their own bats (i.e. not provided by OBGC), but the bat barrel may not exceed 2 1/4
inches. The pitching machine is set up forty (44) feet from rear point of home plate. The machine
should be set to a mutually agreeable speed (34-36 mph). The speed setting agreed upon to begin
the games should not be adjusted throughout the course of the game. However, the height (i.e.
trajectory) of the ball flight may be adjusted after a completed inning or with the opposing team's
coach’s approval in the middle of an inning should a problem with the machine arise. You will find that
while pitches typically do not veer laterally off line (left or right) they will vary as to height (i.e. up and
down) depending on how the seams are held on the ball when fed into the machine. Use trial and
error to determine what works best and then be consistent. Some coaches may instruct their batters
to move up or back in the batter box, this is a perfectly acceptable remedy as well. It is okay for a
batter to be out of the batter’s box, within reason. When setting up the pitching machine and testing
pitches, only use an adult as the catcher. Do not have your ballplayers catch unless they are in full
catcher’s gear. Do not have other children/players/your own kids act as the catcher unless they are in
full catcher's gear. They are not part of your team. We do not want to take an unnecessary chance of
a person getting hurt testing the pitches of the machine.
Bases are set sixty (60) feet apart. First and third bases are measured from the rear corner (the point
closest to catcher) of the plate to the back edge of the base.
The home team will set up the pitching machine provide game balls and use the dugout on the first
base side. The visitor team will set the bases and use the dugout on the third base side.
Inclement Weather
Rainouts
We will make every effort to make up games that are rained out. However, due to a lack of fields
this may not always be possible. If fields are available, we will reschedule rained out games.
One or both coaches should assess the condition of the playing field before cancelling a game.
On weekdays, the decision to postpone/cancel a game should be made if possible prior to 5:00
pm. You will want to notify parents as soon as possible.
Management at Olney Manor and OBGC Community Park will determine if a game is cancelled.
Their decision is final! Cancellations at all other fields will be agreed upon and made by the
coaches at the field.
Just because the 9:00 am game on a Saturday was cancelled, do not assume that all later games
scheduled that day will be cancelled. Weather/field conditions change. On Saturdays, coaches
should monitor the weather/field conditions throughout the day. If conditions change and a field is
playable, play the later scheduled games.
Coaches who have the first game of the day are responsible for getting out there early to try and
get all water off the field. Use a broom to push the water off the field and then rough up the
surface with a rake to help the field dry quicker. DO NOT perform any maintenance on the fields
at Olney Manor or OBGC Community Park!
Coaches may want to set up a phone tree to inform parents of cancelled games. You can also
use email if you request a return confirmation. Then you only have to call parents who do not
respond to your email.
Lightning
If lightning is seen at any time, suspend the game immediately and seek shelter. Play cannot
continue until there has been a 30 minute waiting period after the last lightning flash.
Coaching Positions
All coaches on the field must be adults.
Defense
A maximum of two (2) coaches are allowed in the outfield to assist players with positioning. They
must position themselves beyond the outfielders and are not allowed in the infield dirt. Defensive
coaches may not touch a ball in play.
Offense
The team at bat is required to have a first and third base coach. A third coach/parent is required
to feed the pitching machine (pitch to your batters). It also speeds things along to have a coach
behind the plate collecting the pitched balls.
Both teams should have a coach or parent keep the scorebook. Periodically, throughout the game
you may want to have your scorekeeper verify the score with the opposing scorekeeper.
Umpires
Members of both team’s coaching staff serve as umpires. All assistant coaches must be adults. Calls
are made as follows:
First base coach makes the call at first base and four/fair ball calls on the first base line and
whether a play is outside the base path when running to first or second base.
Third base coach makes the call at third base and four/fair ball calls on the third base line and
whether a play is outside the base path when running to third base or home plate.
Outfield (defensive) coach makes the call at second base.
Coach feeding pitching machine makes the call at home plate. He/She does NOT make the call
at second base.
Head coaches make all discretionary calls such as thrown bat, verbal abuse, baiting, leaving
base too early, failure to slide to avoid a collision, etc.
Calls will inevitably be made that you or others do not agree with. Accept it as a given, a fact of
life in baseball. Even the professional umpires blow a call now and then. Do not argue calls. They
are judgment decisions. Remember, every coach is a volunteer. Do not allow your assistant
coaches, players or your parents to argue calls. Over the course of the season, calls will even
out. A situation may arise in which a rule interpretation is at issue. Try your best to work it out with
the opposing coaches on the field. Always bring a copy of this document to your games! Come to
a mutual agreement and move on. When in doubt the runner is safe.
Defense
Participation Rules
Ten (10) players are positioned in the field on defense. Use four (4) outfielders. A short
centerfielder is not permitted; you must play your four (4) outfielders across the outfield (LF, LC,
RC, and RF). Coaches may “shift” their outfielders but they still must remain on the edge of the
grass.
Every player on your team must play at least four (4) innings in a game. Every player on your
team must play at least two (2) innings in the infield (Pitcher, 1B, 2B, 3B, SS, C) and no more
than 4 innings in the infield.
Every player on your team must play at least one (1) inning in the outfield.
No player can play more than three (3) innings at any one position.
Every player must sit out at least one (1) inning. Note: If either team has less than twelve (12)
players present at a game, this rule is waived for both teams.
In extra innings, players can play any position that they have not already played 3 innings.
If a team has eight (8) or fewer players they can "borrow" players from the other team. The last
player up in the previous inning will substitute in the outfield for the shorthanded team.
Infield Positions
The five infield positions are pitcher, 1st baseman, 2nd baseman, 3rd baseman and shortstop.
Infielders (excluding pitcher and catcher) can play up to a maximum of six (6) feet inside the
baseline closer to home plate, NO CLOSER.
The pitcher should be positioned either to the left of right of the pitching machine. Pitchers may
not stand more than three (3) feet from the pitching machine when a ball is pitched. The coach
feeding the machine should assist the opposing pitcher with positioning and should never feed a
ball into the machine without checking to be certain that the pitcher is in a ready position and the
catcher is properly equipped, positioned and prepared for the pitch.
Teach your infielders not to stand in the base lines. First baseman should be taught to catch the
ball with a foot positioned on the corner or inside part of the base. They should not put their foot
squarely in the middle of the base or stand on top of the base. Likewise, teach your shortstop,
second baseman and third baseman not to stand on the middle of the base without the ball.
Teach them that they may not impede the progress of a base runner if they do not have the ball.
Catchers may not block home plate with the ball.
If it is determined that a fielder blocks a base without possession of the ball or impedes a base
runner when the fielder does not have the ball, runners will automatically be safely awarded the
base. Make your players aware of this rule. Coaches are the umpires - instruct them to call it if
they observe an infraction. Remember, we are trying to teach baseball and, more importantly, we
do not want our players unnecessarily injured.
Outfield Positions
You may play the outfielders at a reasonable depth beyond the infielders. We are trying to teach
baseball fundamentals: this includes positioning and backing up infielders. You absolutely may
not play eight (8) infielders. The four outfielders have to stand in the grass at Ednor Park #2, East
Norbeck #2, Greenwood #1, Longwood #1, OBGC Park #3 and OBGC Park #5.
At OBGC Park #4, outfielders have to stand 20 feet behind the direct base path line of 1st-2nd
and 2nd-3rd. This imaginary line will determine the infield and outfield (example, your LC and RC
players will be 20 feet behind second base). Outfielders will not play inside this 20 foot area until
the ball crosses the plate. Coaches must agree to this area before a game and communicate this
to the assistant coaches. (in prior years, the machine leagues played on field #2, the appropriate
size for our players. But due to the growth of softball, they now use this field and we were
switched to fields #4 and #5).
If you see an outfielder playing in too close at any of these fields, move them or notify the other
head coach to do such.
Teach outfielders to throw the ball into the infield and not to run all the way in with the ball from
the outfield. On occasion, the outfielder when backing up an infielder may be the ideal player to
run inside the base bath with the ball to call time out.
Offense
Batting
All players bat in a continuous batting order consisting of all available players until three (3) outs
have occurred or 5 runs have been scored. In the last inning (usually the sixth unless otherwise
agreed upon by both coaches) and extra innings each team can bat until (3) outs have occurred.
If a team takes the lead in the bottom of the last inning, then the five run rule limit is enforced.
All batters, base runners and on-deck batters must wear helmets.
Only two players can swing a bat at the same time, one at the plate and one on-deck batter. The
on-deck batter should be on the field in foul territory. Make sure your on-deck hitters stand at a
safe distance away from the batter and are at all times aware of where the ball is. This is
especially important for the visiting team (on the first base side of the field). On-deck batters from
the visiting team may stand on the third base (i.e. home team) side of home plate. It is
recommended that the on-deck batter stand behind the batter (third base side when a right
handed batter is up, first base side when a lefty is up).
No tees, jug nets or hitting sticks should be used during a game. This is a safety issue as well as
a distraction. These may be used before the game starts provided there is no other game in
progress.
All batters receive a strict limit of 8 pitches and must hit from the pitching machine, absolutely no
exceptions (no tees, no coach toss). It is a machine pitch league. If a player cannot hit from the
machine in 8 pitches, it is a strikeout. While we want all players to hit the ball, hitting off a tee
sends the wrong message to the other players and parents. Coach pitch will only be used as a
last resort if a pitching machine breaks during a game and a replacement machine cannot be
found in a timely manner. A pitched ball not reaching home plate area will not count as a pitched
ball. Batters will not strikeout on (3) three unsuccessful swings, only after the last designated
pitched ball will the player be allowed to strikeout. If they foul off the last pitch (and the catcher or
another fielder does not catch it) they continue. All subsequent pitches after the 8th that are fouled
off will result in the batter getting another pitch. Note: Do not return balls hit foul to the coach
feeding the machine. If a ball is returned, the coach should set those balls aside in order to
maintain the proper pitch count. Coaches should make batters aware of how many pitches
remain. We want all players to succeed at the plate (i.e. get the bat on the ball and hit it safely in
play). The pitching machine may not always deliver a consistent pitch to the batter. The condition
of the pitching machine, weather conditions, and condition of the baseballs may affect the
pitches. We are trying to give the player the opportunity to swing at a pitch. If a batter hits a
pitched ball that has bounced off the ground, it is a legal hit.
There is no infield fly rule. The batter is not automatically out. Base runners may advance at their
own risk.
There is no dropped 3rd strike rule. The batter may not attempt to advance to first base on a
dropped third strike.
The batter may not throw his/her bat. The first batter on a team who throws a bat will be warned.
He/she and every successive teammate who throws a bat will be declared to be out. Ideally,
teach your players to drop their bat on a spot just off the first base side of home plate.
Bunting is not allowed.
If a batted ball hits any part of the pitching machine, or the ball bucket, a dead ball is immediately
called. The batter and all base runners advance one base.
If a batted ball hits a batter while he/she is in the batter’s box, it is a foul ball. If a batted ball lands
or rolls in foul territory, but comes back into fair territory prior to reaching first or third base, it is a
fair ball (this happens often on the fields that we play on). If the ball, while in foul territory, is
touched by a fielder, it is a foul ball.
Base Running
There is no leading off. If a player leaves a base prior to the ball being hit into play, warn them
and send them back to the base they left. If it happens again, he/she is declared out.
There is no stealing.
Runners may slide at any base. However, as a general rule, we should not teach players to slide
into first base. At this level, runners should be taught to run through first base. Situations requiring
a slide at first base are extremely rare in baseball. In addition, for safety purposes, coaches
should not teach players to slide headfirst into any base.
If a fielder is making a play at a base the runner is approaching, the runner must slide. If there is
a collision (or any contact) at a base and the base runner did not slide, the runner is automatically
declared out, no exceptions. As mentioned previously, teach your fielders to leave a portion of the
base available to the runner, unless of course he/she has possession of the ball.
In an effort to speed up play, a courtesy runner may be used for the catcher with two outs in an
inning, with the opposing team's coach’s permission.
On an infield hit, a base runner can only advance one base. Example, a runner on second will
not score on an infield hit, he will stop at third base. See Play Stoppage section.
On an outfield hit, the base runners may advance until the play has stopped. See Play Stoppage
section.
On an overthrown ball to first or third, a base runner can only advance one base. See Play
Stoppage section.
Base runners may not impede (i.e. they must go around) a fielder who is attempting to catch a
batted ball. Likewise (as previously noted), a fielder without possession of the ball may not
impede a base runner.
Base runners may not run outside the three (3) foot base path in order to avoid a tag. If he/she
does, the runner is out.
When a batted ball hits a base runner who is in front of any fielder, the base runner is out. If the
fielder is in front of a base runner and attempts to make a play on the ball and then the ball hits
the base runner, the runner is safe.
Play Stoppage
Infield Hit
Play is stopped when a fielder has control of the ball. Prior to having control, base runners can
only advance one base regardless of the amount of time that it takes to control the ball. An
st
nd
rd
overthrown ball to any base (1 , 2 , 3 or Home) still holds the runner to one base.
Outfield Hit
Play is stopped when a defensive player has control of the baseball and is standing in the general
area of the base paths or the infield. When control of the ball is made, any base runner that has
rounded a base may continue to the next base at the risk of being thrown out at either the
previous or next base. Runners that have not rounded a base must remain at their current base.
The runner may not advance more than one base once the ball has been controlled.
st
rd
Balls coming from the outfield that are overthrown at either 1 , 3 or Home will also hold runners.
Runners that have rounded a base may continue to the next base at the risk of being thrown out
at either the previous or next base. The runner may not advance more than one base once the
overthrow has occurred. Runners that have not rounded a base must remain at their current
base.
nd
Balls coming from the outfield that are overthrown at 2 do not hold runners. It is the
responsibility of the fielders to control the ball and runners may continue rounding bases until
control is made.
Once a ball is controlled in the infield, any overthrow at any base stops play and runners that
have rounded a base may advance one base if they have already rounded the base. Otherwise,
they must remain at their current base.
Teach outfielders to throw the ball into the infield, not to run all the way in with the ball from the
outfield. On occasion, the outfielder, when backing up an infielder, may be the ideal player to run
inside the base path with the ball to call time out.
Team Communication
Head coaches are the primary contact for all team activity. Communications regarding games,
practices and other activities should come directly from the head coach. When necessary, assistant
coaches can communicate with the team but only in rare cases.
As a courtesy to your players and their families, please do not telephone them after 10:00PM. Emails
that require a reply work well and can save time.
Coaches should organize and prepare for each practice or game. When planning your upcoming
activity, ensure you have an adequate number of assistant coaches and parent helpers to oversee
your players and make it fun. No one coach can do it all. Before leaving a practice or game, ensure
all players and parents are aware of your next practice or game. All players should be informed of all
team activities.
Game Time Limits
When there is more than one game on a field during the same day, regular season games will end
two (2) hours after their scheduled start time. Games should not end before the 2 hour limit. Some
leagues and umpires call this a "drop-dead rule." On Saturdays, we need to play four / five games
before the sun sets on the last game.
There are 15 minutes of transition time between the games. Five minutes are for the two leaving
teams to pack up and for the two arriving teams to set out their equipment. There should be a five
minute period for each team to take infield. Coaches should shorten, or not take infield practice if the
scheduled start time is threatened.
Once the game begins, hurry your players on and off the field. Coaches should also be very diligent
in getting the catcher’s gear on their players as quickly as possible.
IMPORTANT TELEPHONE NUMBERS
OBGC Office - 301.570.3990
OBGC Community Park - 301.260.9004
Montgomery County - 301.765-8787