Des Plaines Baseball, Inc.
2008 Pinto Division Rules
Overall Program:
The Pinto Division of Pony Baseball (Age 7 - 8) is
designed to be an extension of the Shetland Division,
and is still considered to be an instructional league.
This is an informal league intended to teach the
fundamentals of baseball by the simplest method possible
- let them play the game! Standings will not be kept,
nor will the score be kept. The overall goal of this
league is to teach the players the basic skills of
playing team baseball, learning how to play all of the
positions, learning the basic strategy of the game, and
having FUN!
The defensive team will play with ten players in the
field, having four outfielders. Players will pitch the
1st, 3rd, and 5th innings of each game. A player
may not pitch more than one inning, or any part of an
inning, in a game. Coaches will pitch the 2nd,
4th, and 6th innings. Coaches may pitch from a kneeling
position. There will be a continuous batting order
for the offensive team.
Remember, the goal of this league is to teach, learn and
have fun. Competition, poor sportsmanship and coaching
strictly to win are counterproductive to this goal. Win
or lose, the children are the ones that are important to
this league, and every child who is on a team should
have an equal chance to play defensive positions, bat in
different locations of the order and sit no more than
others on their team.
Coaches may not smoke, use foul language or drink any
type of alcoholic beverage at any time in front of their
team. This includes any games, practices or team
related events. Any variance from this rule can result
in an immediate suspension and a mandatory appearance
before the Des Plaines Baseball Disciplinary committee.
Section I Manager Responsibilities:
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You are expected to organize your team to insure
that all players are given an equal chance to
participate offensively and defensively at all
positions.
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Assist the players to develop their skills, learn
the basics of all positions and the basic strategy
of the game.
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There will be no taunting, of opposing players at
any time. We have been known as a model organization
for sportsmanship and we will continue that
tradition proudly.
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We are allowed to cheer for our own team and
teammates but not to the point of breaking the
rhythm of the pitcher or batter for the other team.
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Teach the players respect for each other and
sportsmanship.
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Teach the players to respect safety and the proper
use of equipment. Throwing bats, helmets, catching
equipment, etc. should not be tolerated.
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If lightning is sighted, the field must be cleared
with a 15 minute waiting period from the time of the
last sighting before resuming play. (SEE ThorGuard
WEATHER WARNING RULES) This will be strictly
enforced for the safety of the children.
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Managers will encourage parental help in all facets
of helping team. From coaching to team mom to team
reporter, every job is important to help the team.
(When you contact each child to inform them that you
are the manager, ask if a parent is interested in
helping. Stress that they need no baseball
knowledge, you’ll run the practice, you just need
help with various jobs.)
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Let the players have fun! This first game
experience should be a fun, and pressure free
experience for them. We want to keep these players
interested in the game of baseball and playing in
our league for years to come.
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Be organized, patient, and be sure that all of your
players needs are attended to. Do not leave any
player at the park or a after a game without their
parent or guardian. Be sure that you know who their
parents are and that they will get home safely.
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Schedule practices and distribute a schedule of
practices to the parents. Provide your phone number
and that of the other coaches to the players’
parents.
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Notify the players of rain-outs for games and
practices.
Section II Teaching Skills:
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Each manager is required to spend the proper amount
of practice working on the following skills with
their players:
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Throwing/pitching - teach proper technique and
mechanics.
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Hitting - teach a proper stance, positioning in
the box, proper swing, etc.
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Base Running - teach how to run through first
base, listening to coaches to advance, etc.
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Fielding - proper techniques for fielding of
ground balls in the infield and fly balls in the
outfield. How and where to make the throw,
hitting the cut off man, etc.
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Basic Strategies - which base to throw to with
men on base, cut off man, double play, getting
the lead runner out, etc.
Section III Rules:
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A continuous batting order will be used. This order
should change each game to give players the
opportunity to bat in different positions of the
batting order throughout the season. Any player that
arrives late may enter the game at the end of the
batting order and does not need to play the field
first to bat.
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An RIF #five ball will be used for all games.
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Metal spikes are not allowed.
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If a player is injured, the ball will be immediately
dead.
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Players will pitch the 2nd, 4th
and 6th inning of each game. A player may
not pitch more than one inning per game.
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Coaches will pitch the 1st, 3rd
and 5th inning of the game. Pitching may
be done from a kneeling position.
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An inning will be three outs, once through the
batting order, or when six runs have scored. No more
than six runs can be scored during an inning.
-
Players can only pitch one inning per game. All
players who can throw the ball over the plate should
be given the opportunity to pitch at least twice
during the season. Encourage all players to try to
work on pitching in practice and at home with Dad or
Mom or whoever can be there to help. Try to teach
Mom or Dad how to help their child develop as a
pitcher.
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If any pitcher hits three (3) batters they must be
replaced by a different pitcher. There are no double
switches.
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If a batter is hit by a pitch, the manager will
decide whether to advance the batter to 1st
base or call that pitch a ball and continue batting.
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All players must play at least four innings in the
field. Positions should rotate as much as possible
during the course of each game and the season.
Playing one or two players in all four outfield
positions does not constitute proper defensive
position rotation. “Each player should play the
infield and outfield at least once in every game and
if possible twice. Let’s encourage the players to
try every position. Do not put a player at first or
catcher if they can’t catch the ball. Work with them
in practice to develop the skills necessary to play
those positions. We don’t want to put a child in a
position to either fail or be hurt by the normal
events in a position.”
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The coach whose team is batting will call balls and
strikes on his own team.
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When the coach pitches, the batter gets 5 pitches
unless they foul off the 5th pitch, then
they continue until the batter either strikes out,
or hits the pitch.
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The team that has the least amount of players in the
batting order will be allowed to "bat" as many
players the opposing team, in an inning. This
applies only if the teams each are batting through
the order without scoring 6 runs, or getting 3 outs.
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If a batter throws their bat for any reason their
team will be given one warning. After that any
batter on that team who throws their bat is out and
any players on base may not advance.
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All players will play four innings each game.
The "sitting" of players will be done in an
equitable and fair manner, taking ALL players into
consideration for sitting out innings. No player
will be allowed to sit two, consecutive innings,
only one at a time.
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No player will be allowed to play more than two
innings at one defensive position.
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The coach of the team that is batting is the umpire
on the field.
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Balls and strikes are to be called from behind the
pitcher or catcher.
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If a ball is batted through the infield either on
the ground or on the fly, it is a live ball. The
batter and/or players on base may advance until the
ball is thrown back into the infield whether it is
caught or not, or carried back into the infield. If
more than half-way to the next base the player may
advance at their own risk of being thrown out.
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There is no tagging up on caught fly balls.
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There is no infield fly rule.
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There are to be 10 defensive players on the field,
four of which are outfielders.
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No inning can be started after two hours. It does
not matter if you play four or six innings. There
are no standings to keep.
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It is the responsibility of the home team to set up
the field for play and the visitors to write a game
summary.
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There are no lead-offs or stolen bases.
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If it has rained or is raining, it is up to the
opposing managers to decide if there will be a game
played. Safety needs to be considered in this
decision. If possible, play your game in the grass,
on a temporary field.
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Any games that are canceled due to weather must be
made up if possible. The Commissioner of the league
must be notified of any game cancellations, so a
rain date can be scheduled.
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The distance from home plate to first base and
between bases is sixty feet (60'). The distance from
home plate to the pitchers mound is thirty-eight to
forty feet (38' - 40').
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Managers and coaches are encouraged to have their
team run on and off the field. Tell your team to
look like professional baseball players and to take
pride in their team.
Section IV Player Call-Ups:
At times it may be difficult for all teams to field
enough players for a game. If you are given proper
notification, contact the League Commissioner for
call-ups for your game. Under no circumstances is a
manager to contact another manager for a substitute. All
requests for substitute players must go through the
Commissioner or the designated alternate.
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Shetland players’ age six years old may be called up
to play on Pinto teams if there are less than 10
players available for the game. No five-year-old
will be allowed to play for safety concerns.
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Pinto players who are eight are eligible for being
called up to the Mustang level if they are in need
of players.
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Managers should provide a list of their players who
are interested in being on the call-up list to the
league players’ agent.
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Players may not play-up in a level if it disrupts
the schedule of their Pinto team.
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