Overall Program:

The Pony Division (ages 13 and 14) is a players first exposure to the overall rules that are applied in the game of baseball. The official Pony Baseball rule book provides the basic rules for the league. Listed below are additional rules and issues that pertain specifically to the Des Plaines baseball program.

1. Managers and coaches will stress and exhibit sportsmanship at all times. Only one manager and 3 coaches are allowed in the dugout.

2. Only a manager's child will be assigned to a team. A supplemental draft discussion can be held with the other managers if attempting to place a coach on a same team. There is no guarantee that it will happen.

3. No game protests will be allowed. The two managers and the umpire can discuss any questionable plays and rulings, but the ruling of the umpire is final.

4. Games will be 7 innings long. There is a 2-1/2 hour time limit on games. No new inning may be started after the time limit has been reached. Tie games will be continued at a later date. Official games must be 5 innings or 4-1/2 with the home team ahead in score.

5. If lightning is sighted, the field must be cleared with a 20 minute all clear waiting period from the last sighting before resuming play.

6. No metal spikes are allowed.

7. Slaughter rule will be a 10 run lead after 5 innings, 4-1/2 if the home team is leading.

8. Games may be played with only 8 players. A game is forfeited if a team has only 7 players

9. at the start of the game or if during the game drops down to 7 players.

10. All players must play at least 4 innings defensively. Free substitution is allowed other than rule #10. At no point shall a player sit two consecutive innings. No defensive player may be removed from the field in the middle of an inning except in the case of injury or disciplinary reasons. Exception: (pitching change). If a new pitcher from the bench is brought in, the replaced pitcher must be removed. No double switching.

11. Any player from the substitute player pool (from the Bronco league) cannot be used as a pitcher or as a catcher. All player call-up requests will be coordinated by the league commissioner or player agent, not directly by a manager. All call-ups will start the game, even if more than 9 players are present.

12. Each manager will submit a list of 14 year-old players who they feel are qualified to play up in the Colt Division. Parental request is required.

13. 12:- Each team must appoint a "sportswriter". The "sportswriter" is responsible for writing game summaries and sending them to the webmaster for posting on the Des Plaines Baseball web site. Game summaries will be published in the Des Plaines Journal from the web site. It is the only way that your players' accomplishments will be recognized during the season. The web address is: www.dpbaseball.com.  

BATTING (Pony)

1. Batting helmets must be used by all batters, base runners, on-deck hitters and any player being used as a base coach. Players may not remove their helmets until they are in the dugouts. A warning should be issued unless a player flagrantly throws a helmet and will be ejected from the game at that point.

2. There will be a continuous batting order for all members of each team. Any player who arrives late will be inserted into the bottom of the batting order.

3. Bat size will be limited to a barrel size of 2-5/8" with a -8 differential in weight to length.

4. The infield fly rule is in effect.

5. No slash hitting. If a batter assumes a bunt position, he/she must either offer to bunt the ball or pull the bat back. The batter will be called out if they attempt to slash hit.

BASE RUNNING(Pony)

1. Runners must slide to avoid contact with a defensive play at the bases and home plate. The exception is when running to first base you don't have to slide, but must attempt to avoid contact. If a player does not slide and any contact or tag dislodges the ball from the defensive player, the runner is automatically called out If a runner is safe because they

2. reach base without sliding and there is a late tag that dislodges the ball, the runner will be called safe.

3. The distance from home plate to first base is eighty feet (80'). Home to second base is one hundred thirteen feet two inches (113' 2"). These are exact Pony League distances.

4. A suicide squeeze bunt safety line will be put halfway down (40 feet) between 3rd base and home plate. 

PITCHING (Pony)

1. No pitcher may pitch more than 7 innings in a game. A pitch made in any inning is considered a full inning pitched.

2. 2 A pitcher can pitch 10 innings in anyone week. The week starts on Monday and ends on Sunday.

3. If a pitcher pitches more than 3 innings, they may not pitch for 2 full days of rest (If a player pitches 4 innings on Monday, they may not pitch on Tuesday or Wednesday).

4. After two trips to the mound in the same inning, or the 3rd trip in the game, the pitcher must be replaced. Once removed, they may not return to pitch in that game.

5. The distance from the pitchers mound to home plate will be fifty-four feet (54').