MUSTANG & BRONCO DIVISION ^

DIVISION HEAD: JIMMY GENERAL – Ateneo de Manila University

DIVISIONS:                           Age                 Diamond                 Pitching

MUSTANG DIVISION          9 and 10          ... 60 feet                   44 feet

BRONCO DIVISION          11 and 12        ......70 feet                   48 feet

DISCIPLINARY ACTION

Coaches should not in any way get angry at or scold a player on the field for making a mistake. The offending coach will be asked to leave the playing field. The Technical Committee will then slap a corresponding penalty or fine, depending on the gravity of the offense, on the coach.

The following may be adopted by the league as a guide for the handling of player or adult discipline problems.

• The League Board shall have the authority to suspend, discharge or otherwise discipline any player,
  manager, coach, umpire, league officer or other person whose conduct is considered detrimental to the
  best interests of the league.
• Persons subject to such discipline shall have the right to a hearing before the league officers prior
  to the imposition of the appropriate penalty.
• In the event of such a hearing involving a player, or other person under the age of 18, that person's
  parents shall be invited to attend.
• Persons, youth or adult, who refuse to comply with the rules of the League, may be considered for disciplinary action.
• Recognizing the difficulty of establishing specific penalties for a variety of violations of acceptable conduct,
  the following penalties are suggested. The League Board may impose the one which, in their opinion,
  appears to match the severity of the offense.

Warning The offending person is lo be advised, in writing, of the offense, and further
            ...advised that repetition of the offense shall result in a more severe penalty.

Suspension The offending person is to be advised in writing that he or she has   been
....................suspended from all league activity for a specific number of games, or days

Dismissal The offending person is to be advised in writing that he or she has been
,............... dismissed from the league for the remainder of the current year.

Barred The offending person is to be advised in writing that he or she has been barred
............ from present and future participation in the league, permanently, or for a specific
............ number of years.

TOURNAMENT FORMAT

The format may vary depending on the number of teams in a Division. The normal format will be a single round robin. There will be a FINAL FOUR playoff round, (1 vs. 4 and 2 vs. 3 with nos. 1 & 2 having a twice-to-beat advantage). Winners of the Final 4 playoff will face each other in a Championship Game. Decision of the format will be at the discretion of the Division Commissioner and will be discussed in the membership meetings before the tournament.

MUSTANG The top four teams after the Elimination Round will enter the playoff rounds (1 vs. 4 and 2 vs. 3 with nos. 1 & 2 having a twice-to-beat advantage).  Winners of the play-offs will meet for the Mustang Division Championship. Third and Fourth Places will be determined among the two losing teams in the playoffs with the team with the better regular season record getting third place automatically.

BRONCO The top four teams will enter the playoff rounds (1 vs. 4 and 2 vs. 3 with nos. 1 & 2 having a twice-to-beat advantage). Winners of the play-offs will meet for the Bronco Division Championship. Third and Fourth Places will be determined among the two losing teams with the team with better season record getting third place automatically.

The School Champion will be the school team with the best record after the season and the play-offs.  The Community Champion will be the team with the best record after the season and the play-offs.  For the 2007 – 2008 Season, Floridablanca and MJB are the two community teams.

LEGAL PLAYERS

Legal age of players for the 2007 SEASON shall be:

MUSTANG     Players of league age 9 and 10 born on or after January 1, 1997

BRONCO ..... Players of league age 11 and 12 born on or after January 1, 1995

All teams shall submit to the person in charge of the division the following:

• Copies of the players’ birth certificates or passports (for community teams)
• Principal’s or registrar’s certification (for school teams)
• A gallery folder with 2x2 pictures (signed by team manager or coach)

There shall be a minimum of 9 players in the line-up.  Only players with complete documents will be allowed to play. The ideal number of players in a team is 12.  Teams that have less than 12 players in their roster will be allowed to complete a 12-man line-up by acquiring the services of players from another school (Import Players), provided:

1. That the school where the import-player studies is not part of the Metro Schools League membership, or
2. That the member-school does not have a team in the division where this import-player is eligible to play.
   If the member-school has a team, the student who belongs in that school can play for another team
   if he/she is allowed by the member-school.
3. That the maximum number of guest players is 3.

 An import-player will not be allowed to pitch or catch in any game of the season unless the opposing teams allow him to.

Teams are allowed to change players during the season provided they are cleared by the rules committee.

Teams with children above the age limit required in a particular division will still be allowed to play in the tournament as guest teams. All their games will be considered as practice games and will not win the division trophy. However, they shall receive a special award for their participation.

PLAYING FIELDS

                                         Foul Line                              Centerfield
                       
MUSTANG                 175 feet (53.34m)                   225 feet (68.58m

BRONCO                   225 feet (68.58m)                   275 feet (83.82m)

C. The height of the pitcher's mound above the level of home plate and the base paths,
raised by a gradual slope shall be:

MUSTANG  4 inches (0.1m)                   
BRONCO 6 inches (0.15m)

D. There shall be a restraining line, located along the first base line and extending 3 feet (0 91 m] beyond first base.
This line, paralleling the first base foul line and 3 feet (0.91m) into foul territory, shall be marked with chalk or other
white material 2 inches (0.05m) wide. Point of origination for the restraining line from home base shall be
one half the distance between home plate and first base.

E. Home plate, the pitcher’s plate and the bases shall be official size as used in regulation baseball.
Portable pitching mounds, meeting the correct size requirements, are also approved.

F. The catcher's box may berectangular in shape, 43 inch­es (1.09m) wide and eight feet (2 44m) deep from the point
of home plate or it may be triangular shape, extended eight feet (2.44m) from the rear of home plate, being
a continuation of the foul lines in which case the line closest to the backstop shall be 16 feet (4.88m) in length.

G. The recommended distance from home plate to the backstop shall be: - 30 feet (9.14m)

EQUIPMENT

A. BALLS: Kenko “C” rubber baseball

B. BATS: Wooden, metal, graphite or ceramic bats, manufactured specifically for Baseball play, which are round and not
more than two and three-fourths inches (7.0 cm) in diameter at the thickest part, nor more than 42 inch­es (106,7 cm) in length,
are acceptable. Bats manufactured specifically for use in T-ball play, shall not be used when the ball is pitched by a player, coach
or pitching machine. However, due to the different circumstances surrounding the baseball situation of the country, the availability
and affordability of bats, and the ground rules used, the technical committee will allow other kinds of bats commonly used in the
specific age group.

C. Rubber cleated baseball shoes, rubber soled or rubber cleated shoes are permitted.

D. The batter, players in the on-deck batting area, base runners and players coaching in the baseline coaching boxes shall
be required to wear protective headgear which gives protection to the top of the head, temples, ears and base of the skull.
Use of face masks and property fastened chin straps on protective headgear is recommended

E. Catchers are required to wear proper protective equipment including a mask with throat guard, chest protector, shin guards and protective headgear which gives protection to the top of the head when catching behind the plate. Any player serving as
a catcher to warm up a pitcher shall wear a mask, whether the pitcher is warming up from the mound, in the bullpen or elsewhere.

F. It is recommended that managers make every effort to encourage the wearing of athletic supporters by all male players.

G. Conventional baseball uniforms are recommended. Baseball caps and t-shirts or conventional baseball uniforms may be worn.
....All players must have a common shaded t-shirt that is numbered for easy identification by officials.

This rule prohibits the wearing of shorts (defined as trousers which do not cover the knees of the wearer) or full length slacks by the players. Any exception to the uniform rule shall have the specific written approval of the League Board.

Where commercial advertising is used on team uniforms it is strongly urged that the letters be limited to two inches or less.

H. The use of bases with safety features, such as those with tapered sides; those that release upon sufficient impact
and the double bag at first base have been approved.

I. No jewelry shall be worn by any player, except for medical reasons.

J. Cell phones, pagers or any other types of communication devices can not be used on the field of play.

PLAYING RULES

MUSTANG: The entire roster of players present for the game shall bat in rotation and play at least TWO (2) defensive innings in a game. In a game with a time limit, players who have not yet played should be placed in the inning that falls within the final 30 minutes of the game. In a game without a time limit, all players who have not yet played should be placed in the game at the start of the 4th inning. A coach who fails to comply may be subjected to disciplinary action by the League Board and the team forfeits the particular game.

BRONCO: NO REQUIRED PLAYING TIME

F. Any player in the starting lineup who has been removed for a substitute may re-enter the game one time
...(NOTE: This rule applies to STARTERS ONLY)

Players shall return to the line-up in their original place in the batting order. While more than one substitute may be used
in that position before the starting player is returned, no substitutions shall be made that shall alter the original batting
rotation of any of the starting or substitute players.

G. In any instance in which a team does not have an eligible substitute for a player who becomes ill, is injured, or ejected
from the game by the umpire, the player last removed from the lineup by the manager or coach, who is otherwise eligible
to play, shall be used as a substitute.

When a team's last available substitute enters the game as part of a multiple substitution, the manager shall advise the
umpire and official storekeeper which player is to be considered “the last player removed from the line-up.” In this instance only,
the substitute player shall take the batting position of the player they replace, even though it may be a differ­ent batting position
than the one he previously occupied.  This rule applies to all players, including starters.

PITCHING RULES

MUSTANG Pitchers shall not pitch in more than three (3) innings in a game and not more than SIX (6) innings in a calendar day. 
Pitchers shall be allowed to pitch in no more than EIGHT (8) innings in any one calendar week.  A calendar week is from 12:01 a.m.
Monday to 12 midnight the following Sunday.  

BRONCO Pitchers shall not pitch in more than FOUR (4) innings in a game and not more than SEVEN (7) INNINGS in a calendar day.
Pitchers shall be allowed to pitch in no more than 10 innings in any one calendar week A calendar week is from 12:01 a.m. Monday to 12 midnight the following Sunday.

• When pitching in more than one game on the same calendar day, pitchers may pitch any combination of innings in those games provided they do not exceed the above maximum number of innings in a calendar day.

• Pitchers shall have at least 40 hours rest after pitching.

• The 40 hours rest rule is computed from the actual starting time of the game.

•  As soon as a pitcher delivers one pitch to a batter, the pitcher shall be considered as having pitched in one inning.

• A pitcher is charged with the number of innings pitched in the specific calendar day and week in which they are pitched,
  regardless of whether they are local league games, the playoff of postponed games or suspended games, tie games or
  exhibition games sanctioned by the league.

• Any pitcher withdrawn from the mound and/or lineup, or a pitcher, who is withdrawn from the mound and stays in the game at another position, shall not be permitted to pitch again in the same game.

• If a relief pitcher comes in "cold", the umpire shall allow the pitcher to warm up properly with at least ten warm-up pitches.

• Pitchers in violation of any of the pitching rules shall be considered in­eligible players, subject to penalties to be
  handed down by the Rules Committee.

• The pitcher named in the batting order submitted prior to the start of the game, shall pitch to the first batter or
  any substitute batter until such batter is put out or reaches first base, unless the pitcher sustains injury or illness which,
  in the judgment of the umpire-in-chief, incapacitates him from pitching.

LENGTH OF GAMES

MUSTANG The game shall be played to regulation length of SIX innings(6) or five and a fraction if the home team is leading
unless called because of 10-run rule, or forfeited by the League Board.  In a game with time limits, teams shall not score more
than seven (7) Runs per inning except in the seventh or extra inning which is open.

BRONCO The game shall be played to regulation length seven innings (7) or six and a fraction if the home team is leading
unless called because of 10-run rule, or forfeited by the League Board. In a game with time limits, teams shall not score more
than seven (7) Runs per inning except in the seventh or extra inning which is open.
.
B. CALLED GAME

MUSTANG  If a game is called for any reason, it shall be a complete game if four innings have been com­pleted, or if the home
team has scored more runs in three innings or three and a fraction innings, than the visiting team has scored in four completed innings.

BRONCO  If a game is called for any reason, it shall be a complete game if five innings have been com­pleted, or if the home team has scored more runs in four innings or four and a fraction innings, than the visiting team has scored in five completed innings

• If a game is called for any reason before it is a complete game, as described in Sections A & B or when the score is tied,
  it shall be considered a suspended game and shall be resumed from the point of curtailment at the time scheduled by the
  Technical Committee.
• If a game is called for any reason in an uncompleted inning, after haviing reached complete game length as described
  in Section A & B and the visiting team ties the score or takes the lead in the uncompleted inning, and the home team
  does not tie the score or retake the lead in its portion of the uncompleted inning, the game shall be considered a
  suspended game and shall be continued from the point of cur­tailment at the time scheduled by the Technical Committee.
• If a game is called for any reason before the end of the 1st inning, then the game will be replayed in its entirety at a later
  date to be determined by the League Board.

C. 10-RUN RULE

MUSTANG If a team is leading an opponent by at least 10 runs after four or more complete innings have been played or
after four and one half innings, if the home team shall have a 10 run lead at the end of its fourth inning, or before the completion
of its fifth Inning, the game shall be terminated and the team in the lead shall be declared the winner.

BRONCO If a team is leading an opponent by at least 10 runs after five or more complete innings have been played or after five
and one half innings, if the home team shall have a 10 run lead at the end of its fifth inning, or before the comple­tion of its
six Inning, the game shall be terminated and the team in the lead shall be declared the winner.

In the Elimination Round, there shall be a time limit of 2 hours per game. Any inning that falls within the last 30 minutes
of the regulation game time of 2 hours will be considered the inning before the last inning of the game. The score keeper
shall then announce the time to the home plate umpire. The Rules on the Last Inning shall apply at the following inning.
This rule does not apply in the semi-finals and finals where the games must complete six innings or until a team is declared a winner.

TIE BREAKERS

During the Elimination Round, teams tied after the regulation game will be given ONE (1) extra inning to break the tie. However,
if the game is still tied upon reaching the time limit and after an extra inning was already given, the game will be considered a
draw and the corresponding point will be given to both teams. This rule does not apply in the semi-finals and finals.

POINT SYSTEM

Win                           3 points
Draw                         2 points
Loss                          1 point
Default/Forfeit           0 points

If there will be any ties in the team standings, the following matrices will be used to break the tie
(by order of importance until the tie is broken)

• Head-to-head
• Least runs allowed
• Runs made in the elimination round between the teams involved, and if still tied,
• Then a toss-coin.

SCHEDULE

• Scheduling and rescheduling of league games shall be the responsibili­ty of the League Board, and shall provide
  not less than Eight (8) regular season games for each team.

• Under no condition shall the League Board set up a schedule games which would require a team to play
  more than two (2) games in one day.

• If a scheduled game is postponed by the organizers, that game will be rescheduled at a time agreed by the affected teams.
  If a team requests for a postponement of a scheduled game for whatever reason, the team should inform the Tournament
  Director in writing not later than Wednesday (5:00 pm) of the week before the game. The Tournament Director shall then
  seek the consent of the opposing team and shall re-schedule the game at a date, time and place not in conflict with the
  League’s own schedule. The team that requests the postponement shall pay for all the expenses such as venue fees,
  umpires’ and scorer’s allowances, etc. when the postponed game is played.

DEFAULT RULE

A team that lacks the required number of players at the start of their scheduled game will be given a FIFTEEN (15) minute grace period to complete the team. If the team is still incomplete after the grace period (scorer ’s time), they will be allowed to play if they have Eight (8) players present.  Once allowed to play, they must have the required number of players, Nine (9) before the last inning of the game otherwise; they will forfeit the game in favor of their opponent.  For the record, the score of the forfeited game will be 6 – 0 for MUSTANG and 7 - 0 for BRONCO, in favor of the winning team.

If the team only has 7 players, they will be allowed to play a practice game and their official game will be forfeited in favor of their opponents

If the team has 6 players or less, they will be allowed to play a practice game, their official game will be forfeited and they will be fined P1,000.00 payable on or before their next game. Failure to pay the fine will mean that they will not be allowed to continue playing in the tournament until payment is made.

If the team has 6 players or less, they will be allowed to play a practice game, their official game will be forfeited and they will be fined P1,000.00 payable on or before their next game and if a team does not show up for a scheduled game, they shall forfeit their game in favor of their opponent and also fined P1,000.00.  The fine will be deducted from its cash deposit with the League.  In the event that the balance of the school’s cash deposit is less than the fine, school has to replenish its cash deposit with the league.  Failure to pay the default fine shall mean that all the succeeding games will be fined as well and shall be deemed forfeited in favor of the opponents until all payments are made.

UMPIRES

• Assignment of umpires shall be the responsibility of the league officers. At any time the umpires assigned by the league
  fail to report, or are otherwise unavailable, any other umpires used in that game shall be agreed upon by the opposing
  managers, preferably in writing.

• For each game, there shall be a minimum of 1 umpire during the regular season and 3 umpires during the playoffs.

• The use of tobacco in any form by umpires on the field is prohibited.

SCOREKEEPERS

• The official scorekeeper shall record at-bats, hits, runs, errors, strike­ outs, bases on balls, innings pitched in by each pitcher and scheduled starting time of games and actual starting time.
  
  
• In order to be considered the winning pitcher, a pitcher should have completed at least two full innings and left a lead that
  stands up for the remainder of the game.
  
• The official scorer should notify the manager concerned if an ineligible player or an improper batter is about to be used in the
  game, but the failure of the scorer to do so has no effect upon the rules.

SPONSORS

• Teams or leagues shall be sponsored only by those organizations, firms or companies whose activities or products are not detrimental to the welfare of youth.

• Specifically, no firm or company whose advertising reflects the sale of alcoholic beverages or tobacco products shall be
  permitted to sponsor the program or be permitted to display any form of such advertising in connection with the program.

MANAGERS AND COACHES

• Adult coaches, if properly dressed in a full baseball uniform, or in a uniform specified by a league, may be used in either or
  both the first and third base coaching boxes.
  
  
• Only players in baseball uniform and wearing helmets shall be used as base coaches when adult coaches are not used.
  
  
• A coach or coaches shall not switch coaching boxes during an inning.
  
  
• Players, managers and coaches shall remain in the dugouts, on the benches or in the prescribed areas throughout the game.
  
  
• If a manager or coach goes onto the playing field to talk to any player or players more than once in a half inning, while the same player is pitching, a pitching change shall be made. The only excep­tions to this rule shall be in case of injury, or if time is
  called by the opposing team or by an umpire.
  
  
• Umpires shall not permit more than one offensive time out in each inn­ing to allow a manager or coach lo talk with a batter.
  
  
• The use of tobacco, alcohol or illegal drugs in any form by players or adult leaders in the dugout, on the benches or on the
  playing field shall not be permitted.

LEAGUE BOARD

• The League President shall appoint a League Board of not less than five persons to receive and resolve all protests lodged
  during the playing of league games. At least three members, with one member being the League President, of the League
  Board shall be present to render a decision.

• The League Board may solicit testimony and advice from any source it chooses, but actual decisions shall be based on
  majority vote of the members of the committee only.

• When feasible, the League Board shall make every effort to ren­der a decision on a protest within 48 hours of receipt
  of the written protest.

• Decisions of the League Board shall be final and are not subject to appeal. Managers may request confirmation of a ruling
  by a League Board from the Tournament Director.  Such requests shall be submitted in writing, and shall be answered for informational purposes only, and shall not affect the specific official decision of the League Board

PENALTIES

• Penalty for use of illegal players shall be forfeiture of games in which illegal players participated, provided such games are
  protested by any of the league managers or officers in writing within 46 hours of the game or games in question.
  An illegal player is one who is not legally a member of the league because the player does not meet the requirements
  as to age or documentation.

• Penalty for use of an ineligible player, upon appeal by the opposing manager or notification by the official scorer or
  league officers, when the official scorebook or other league records verify the ineligibility of the player concerned,
  shall be immediate removal of the player from the lineup and ejection of the team manager from the game. Both
  the player and the manager shall be ineligible to participate in the next scheduled game played by the team.
  
  
• An ineligible player is one who is legally a member of the league, but who is ineligible to play or to pitch in a
  particular game or games because of the limitations set forth in these Rules and Regulations, or as the result
  of a previous rules violation or disciplinary action.
• For purposes of interpreting this rule, a player shall not be considered in violation of the rules until at least one
  pitch has been thrown to the batter after the point of violation.
• In the event the manager of an ineligible player refuses to remove the player from the lineup and the manager
  does not leave the field when the appeal is made, and verified, the game is subject to forfeit.
• When the ineligible status of a player is not established until after completion of the game, the game shall stand
  as played, but the player and manager shall be ineligible to participate in the next game played by the team,
  or the next game played after the ineligi­ble status has been determined.

• Illegal equipment shall be removed from the game.

• Players are not permitted to use illegal headgear even if no other headgear is available. When proper headgear is
  not available, the game shall be delayed until the equipment can be obtained, or postponed and rescheduled by the
  league officers.
• Penalty for use of illegal shoes shall be removal of the shoes from the game, and, if no other legal footwear is available,
  removal of the affected player or players from the lineup.
• Players who do not wear complete conventional uniforms, protective headgear and catching equipment as required
  by these rules, shall be removed from the lineup.
• Players who intentionally, in the judgment of the umpire, throw bats or protective headgear, or discard protective headgear
  while batting or running the bases, shall be ejected from the game following completion of any play in progress at the time
  the violation occurs. Such action does not constitute an out and such players shall be replaced as batters or base runners if appropriate.
• Pitchers in violation of any of the pitching rules shall be considered in­eligible players, subject to the penalties stated
  for use of an ineligible player in this rule.

PROTESTS

• A protest based on a play which involves an umpire's judgment shall not be permitted.

• When protests are based on an interpretation of the rules, the objecting manager shall, at the time the play occurs,
  notify the head umpire, the opposing manager and official scorer that the game is being played under protest, and
  submit the protest in writing to the to the Decisions Committee, within 24 hours of the completion of the game and
  a non refundable protest fee of P500.00 will be required. Protests sent by fax will be considered valid as long as it
  falls within the 24 hour grace period.

• When protests based on the interpretation of a rule are upheld by the Decisions Committee, the game concerned
  shall be replayed from the point of protest.
• Umpires should make a public announcement to the crowd when a
  game is being played under protest.

• Any team manager or other adult leader who withdraws a team from the playing field under any circumstances prior to
  the official completion of the game shall forfeit all rights to protests as prescribed in this section.

GENERAL CONDUCT

• Players or adult volunteers who engage in unsportsmanlike conduct, such as fighting, abusive language or similarly
  derogatory action will be sanctioned as per the Section on Disciplinary Action.
• Teams, players or adult volunteers in violation of this General Conduct policy may be refused entry, OR MAY BE REMOVED
  FROM TOURNAMENT PLAY.

back to top ^

PONY & COLT DIVISION ^

DIVISION HEAD: PEPE MUNOZ – De La Salle Zobel

DIVISIONS                             Age                Diamond              Pitching

PONY DIVISION                 13 and 14        ...80 feet                 54 feet

COLT DIVISION                  17 and 18        ,..90 feet                60.5 feet

DISCIPLINARY ACTION

Coaches should not in any way get angry at or scold a player on the field for making a mistake. The offending coach will be asked to leave the playing field. The Technical Committee will then slap a corresponding penalty or fine, depending on the gravity of the offense, on the coach.

The following may be adopted by the league as a guide for the handling of player or adult discipline problems.

• The League Board shall have the authority to suspend, discharge or otherwise discipline any player, manager, coach,
  umpire, league officer or other person whose conduct is considered detrimental to the best interests of the league.

Persons subject to such discipline shall have the right to a hearing before the league officers prior to the imposition of the appropriate penalty.

In the event of such a hearing involving a player, or other person under the age of 18, that person's parents shall be
invited to attend.

Persons, youth or adult, who refuse to comply with the rules of the League, may be considered for disciplinary action.

Recognizing the difficulty of establishing specific penalties for a variety of violations of acceptable conduct, the following penalties are suggested. The League Board may impose the one which, in their opinion, appears to match the severity
of the offense.

Warning The offending person is lo be advised, in writing, of the offense, and further
            ...advised that repetition of the offense shall result in a more severe penalty.

Suspension The offending person is to be advised in writing that he or she has been
....................Suspended from all league activity for a specific number of games, or days

Dismissal The offending person is to be advised in writing that he or she has been dismissed from the league for the remainder of the .................current year.

Barred The offending person is to be advised in writing that he or she has been barred from present and future participation in the league, ............permanently, or for a specific number of years.

TOURNAMENT FORMAT

The format may vary depending on the number of teams in a Division. The normal format will be a single round robin. There will be a FINAL FOUR playoff round, (1 vs. 4 and 2 vs. 3 with nos. 1 & 2 having a twice-to-beat advantage). Winners of the Final 4 playoff will face each other in a Championship Game. Decision of the format will be at the discretion of the Division Commissioner and will be discussed in the membership meetings before the tournament.

For 2007-08 tournament and for both PONY & COLT DIVISIONS, a double elimination system will be used for the playoffs.
Tie Break for ties after the elimination round:

• Two way tie – winner over the other
• Three of more teams – least runs allowed in all games

LEGAL PLAYERS

Legal age of players for the 2007 SEASON shall be:

PONY          Players of league age 13 and 14, born on or after January 1, 1993.

COLT           Players of league age I5 and 16, born on or after January 1, 1991.

All teams shall submit to the person in charge of the division the following:

• Copies of the players’ birth certificates or passports (for community teams)
• Principal’s or registrar’s certification (for school teams)
• A gallery folder with 2x2 pictures (signed by team manager or coach)

There shall be a minimum of 9 players in the line-up.  Only players with complete documents will be allowed to play.
The ideal number of players in a team is 12.  Teams that have less than 12 players in their roster will be allowed to
complete a 12-man line-up by acquiring the services of players from another school (Import Players), provided:

1. That the school where the import-player studies is not part of the Metro Schools League membership, or
   
   
2. That the member-school does not have a team in the division where this import-player is eligible to play. If the
   member-school has a team, the student who belongs in that school can play for another team if he/she is allowed
   by the member-school.
   
   
3. That the maximum number of guest players is 3.

• An import-player will not be allowed to pitch or catch in any game of the season unless the opposing teams allow him to.
• Teams are allowed to change players during the season provided they are cleared by the rules committee.
• Teams with children above the age limit required in a particular division will still be allowed to play in the tournament as
  guest teams. All their games will be considered as practice games and will not win the division trophy. However,
  they shall receive a special award for their participation.

PLAYING FIELDS

PONY  Distance between bases: 80 feet (24.38m)      
............Pitching Distance: 54 feet (16.46m)
............Home plate to center of second base: 113 feet, 2 in. (34.49m)
                       
COLT   Distance between bases:  90 feet (27.43m)
............Pitching Distance: 60 feet, 6 In. (18.44m)
............Home plate to center of second base: 127 feet, 3 in. (38.78m)
           
The fair play area shall be within the first base and third base foul lines and a fence or marked line establishing the outfield
limits of the playing area, referred to here as "Home Run Distances."

RECOMMENDED HOME RUN DISTANCES

                                                Foul Line                                 Centerfield
                       
            PONY                      275 feet (83.82m)                  315 feet (96.01m)

            COLT                       300 feet (91.44m]                   350 feet (106.68m)

The height of the pitcher's mound above the level of home plate and the base paths, raised by a gradual slope shall be:

PONY     8 Inches (0.20m)            COLT - 10 inches (0.25m)

• There shall be a restraining line, located along the first base line and extending 3 feet (0 91 m] beyond first base.
  This line, paralleling the first base foul line and 3 feet (0.91m) into foul territory, shall be marked with chalk or other
  white material 2 inches (0.05m) wide. Point of origination for the restraining line from home base shall be one half
  the distance between home plate and first base.

Home plate, the pitcher’s plate and the bases shall be official size as used in regulation baseball.
Portable pitching mounds, meeting the cor­rect size requirements, are also approved.

• The catcher's box may berectangular in shape, 43 inch­es (1.09m) wide and eight feet (2 44m) deep from the point
  of home plate or it may be triangular shape, extended eight feet (2.44m) from the rear of home plate, being a
  continuation of the foul lines in which case the line closest to the backstop shall be 16 feet (4.88m) in length.

• The recommended distance from home plate to the backstop shall be: - 30 feet (9.14m)

EQUIPMENT

• BALLS: Kenko “WORLD” rubber baseballs.

• BATS: Wooden, metal, graphite or ceramic bats, manufactured specifically for Baseball play, which are round and not
  more than two and three-fourths inches (7.0 cm) in diameter at the thickest part, nor more than 42 inch­es (106,7 cm)
  in length, are acceptable. However, due to the different circumstances surrounding the baseball situation of the country,
  the availability and affordability of bats, and the ground rules used, the technical committee will allow other kinds of bats
  commonly used in the specific age group.  

• Rubber cleated baseball shoes, rubber soled or rubber cleated shoes are permitted.

• The batter, players in the on-deck batting area, base runners and players coaching in the baseline coaching boxes shall
  be required to wear protective headgear which gives protection to the top of the head, temples, ears and base of the skull.
  Use of face masks and property fastened chin straps on protective headgear is recommended

No decal other than the player's name, number, team name or logo shall be added to the protective headgear.
Any headgear in violation of this rule shall be removed from play.

• Catchers are required to wear proper protective equipment including a mask with throat guard, chest protector, shin guards
  } and protective headgear which gives protection to the top of the head when catching behind the plate. Any player serving
  as a catcher to warm up a pitcher shall wear a mask, whether the pitcher is warming up from the mound, in the bullpen or
  elsewhere.

• It is recommended that managers make every effort lo encourage the wearing of athletic supporters by all male players.

• Conventional baseball uniforms are recommended. Baseball caps and t-shirts or conventional baseball uniforms may be worn.
  All players must have a common shaded t-shirt that is numbered for easy identification by officials.

This rule prohibits the wearing of shorts (defined as trousers which do not cover the knees of the wearer) or full length slacks
by the players. Any exception to the uniform rule shall have the specific written approval of the League Board.

Where commercial advertising is used on team uniforms it is strongly urged  that the letters be limited to two inches or less.

• The use of bases with safety features, such as those with tapered sides, those that release upon sufficient impact
  and the double bag at first base have been approved.

• No jewelry shall be worn by any player, except for medical Identifi­cation.

• Cell phones, pagers or any other types of communication devices can not be used on the field of play.

PLAYING RULES

• The official playing rules, with the exceptions and variations contained in this book, shall be
  "Official Rules of Major League Baseball"

• No more than three players shall "huddle" on the playing field at any time during the game.
  Umpires shall discourage such gatherings when they tend to delay the game.

• Each team will be given FIVE (5) minutes to warm up on the field prior to their game.

• There is no limit on the number of batters per inning. No designated hitters.

• Any player in the starting lineup who has been removed for a substitute may re-enter the game one time
  (NOTE: This rule applies to STARTERS ONLY)

Players shall return to the line-up in their original place in the batting order. While more than one substitute may be used
in that position before the starting player is returned, no substitutions shall be made that shall alter the original batting
rotation of any of the starting or substitute players.

• In any instance in which a team does not have an eligible substitute for a play­er who becomes ill, is injured, or ejected
  from the game by the umpire, the player last removed from the lineup by the manager or coach, who is otherwise eligible
  to play, shall be used as a substitute.

When a team's last available substitute enters the game as part of a multiple substitution, the manager shall advise the
umpire and official storekeeper which player is to be considered “the last player removed from the line-up.”

In this instance only, the substitute player shall take the batting position of the player they replace, even though it may be a
different batting position than the one he previously occupied.  This rule applies to all players, including starters.

PITCHING RULES

• PONY & COLT age pitchers shall not pitch in more than FOUR (4) innings per game on the same calendar day or a
  total of SEVEN (7) innings in a day if more than one game.

• When pitching in more than one game on the same calendar day, pitchers may pitch any combination of innings in
  those games provided they do not exceed the above maximum number of innings in a calendar day.

• PONY age pitchers shall be allowed to pitch in no more than ten innings in any one calendar week A calendar week
  is from 12:01 a.m. Monday to 13 midnight the following Sunday.

• Pitchers shall have at least 40 tours rest alter pitching on the same calendar day.

• The 40 hours rest rule is computed from the scheduled starting time of the game in which the pitching occurred, or, in games which begin more than two hours after the scheduled starting time, the actual starting time of the game shall be used to interpret this rule.

•  As soon as a pitcher delivers one pitch to a batter, the pitcher shall be considered as having pitched in one inning.

• A pitcher is charged with the number of innings pitched in the specific calendar day and week in which they are pitched,
  regardless of whether they are local league games, the playoff of postponed games or suspended games, tie games or
  exhibition games.

•  Any pitcher withdrawn from the mound and/or lineup, or a pitcher, who is withdrawn from the mound and stays in
  the game at another position, shall not be permitted to pitch again in the same game.

• If a relief pitcher comes in "cold", the umpire shall allow the pitcher to warm up properly with at least ten warm-up pitches.

• Pitchers in violation of any of the pitching rules shall be considered in eligible players, subject to penalties outlined in
  Rule 18 Penalties.

• The pitcher named in the batting order turned in prior to the start of the game, shall pitch to the first batter or any
  substitute batter until such batter is put out or reaches first base, unless the pitcher sustains injury or illness which,
  in the judgment of the umpire-in-chief, incapacitates him from pitching.

LENGTH OF GAMES           

• The PONY & COLT games shall be played to regulation length seven innings (7) or six and a fraction if the team is
  leading unless called because of 10-run rule, or forfeited by the League Board. In a game with time limits, teams shall
  not score more than seven (7) Runs per inning except in the seventh or extra inning which is open.

• If a game is called for any reason, it shall be a complete game if five innings have been com­pleted, or if the home team has
  scored more runs in four innings or four and a fraction innings, than the visiting team has scored in five completed innings.

• If a game is called for any reason before it is a complete game, as described in Sections A and B or when the score is tied,
  it shall be considered a suspended game and shall be resumed from the point of curtailment at the time scheduled by
  league officials.

• If a game is called for any reason in an uncompleted inning, after hav­ing reached complete-game length as described in
  Section A, B and C and the visiting team ties the score or takes the lead in the uncompleted Inning, and the home team does
  not tie the score or retake the lead in its portion of the uncompleted inning, the game shall be considered a suspended game
  and shall be continued from the point of curtailment at the time scheduled by league officials.

• If a game is called before the end of the 1st inning, then the game will be replayed in its entirety at a later date to be
  determined by the Technical Committee.

• 10-Run Rule: If a team is leading an opponent by at least 10 runs after five or more complete innings have been played or
  after four and one half innings, if the home team shall have a 10 run lead at the end of its fourth inning, or before the
  completion of its fifth Inning, the game shall be terminated and the team in the lead shall be declared the winner.
  (This rule shall apply only in games without time limits).

• In the Elimination Round, there shall be a time limit of 3 hours per game. Any inning that falls within the last 30 minutes of the regulation game time of 3 hours will be considered the inning before the last inning of the game. The score keeper shall then announce the time to the home plate umpire. The Rules on the Last Inning shall apply at the following inning. There will be
  no time limit in the SEMI-FINAL and FINAL ROUND where the games must complete the total number of innings required in
  the division or until a winner is declared.

TIE BREAKERS

During the Elimination Round, teams tied after the regulation game will be given ONE (1) extra inning to break the tie. However,
if the game is still tied upon reaching the time limit and after an extra inning was already given, the game will be considered a
draw and the corresponding point will be given to both teams. Any tied game in the Semi-Final and Final Round will be given
extra innings until a winner is determined.

POINT SYSTEM

Win                         3 points
Draw                       2 points
Loss                        1 point
Default/Forfeit       0 points

SCHEDULE

• Scheduling and rescheduling of league games shall be the responsibili­ty of the officers and executive committee,
  and shall provide not less than Eight (8) regular season games for each team.

• Under no condition shall league officers set up a schedule of games which would require a team to play more than
  two (2) games in one day.

• If a scheduled game is postponed by the organizers, that game will be rescheduled at a time agreed by the affected teams.
  If a team requests for a postponement of a scheduled game for whatever reason, the team should inform the Tournament
  Director in writing not later than Wednesday (5:00 pm) of the week before the game. The Director shall then seek the consent
  of the opposing team and shall re-schedule the game at a date, time and place not in conflict with the League’s own schedule.
  The team that requests the postponement shall pay for all the expenses such as venue fees, umpires’ and scorer’s allowances,
  etc. when the postponed game is played.
  

DEFAULT RULE

A team that lacks the required number of players at the start of their scheduled game will be given a FIFTEEN (15) minute grace
period to complete the team. If the team is still incomplete after the grace period (scorer ’s time), they will be allowed to play if they have Eight (8) players present.  Once allowed to play, they must have the required number of players, Nine (9) before the last inning of the game otherwise; they will forfeit the game in favor of their opponent.  For the record, the score of the forfeited game in PONY & COLT Divisions will be (7 – 0) in favor of the winning team.

If the team only has 7 players, they will be allowed to play a practice game and their official game will be forfeited in favor of their
opponents, If the team has 6 players or less, they will be allowed to play a practice game, their official game will be forfeited and they will be fined P1,000.00 payable on or before their next game. Failure to pay the fine will mean that they will not be allowed to continue playing in the tournament until payment is made.

If the team has 6 players or less, they will be allowed to play a practice game, their official game will be forfeited and they will be fined P1,000.00 payable on or before their next game and if a team does not show up for a scheduled game, they shall forfeit their game in favor of their opponent and also fined P1,000.00.  The fine will be deducted from its cash deposit with the League.  In the event that the balance of the school’s cash deposit is less than the fine, school has to replenish its cash deposit with the league.  Failure to pay the default fine shall mean that all the succeeding games will be fined as well and shall be deemed forfeited in favor of the opponents until all payments are made.

UMPIRES

• Assignment of umpires shall be the responsibility of the league officers. At any time the umpires assigned by the league
  fail to report, or are otherwise unavailable, any other umpires used in that game shall be agreed upon by the opposing
  managers, preferably in writing.

• For each game, there shall be a minimum of 1 umpire during the regular season and 2 umpires during the playoffs.

• The use of tobacco in any form by umpires on the field is prohibited.

SCOREKEEPERS

• The official scorekeeper shall record at-bats, hits, runs, errors, strike­ outs, bases on balls, innings pitched in by each
  pitcher and scheduled starting time of games and actual starting time.

• In order to be considered the winning pitcher, a pitcher should have completed at least two full innings and left a lead that
  stands up for the remainder of the game.

• The official scorer should notify the manager concerned if an ineligible player or an improper batter is about to be used in
  the game, but the failure of the scorer to do so has no effect upon the rules.

SPONSORS

• Teams or leagues shall be sponsored only by those organizations, firms or companies whose activities or products are not detrimental to the welfare of youth.

• Specifically, no firm or company whose advertising reflects the sale of alcoholic beverages or tobacco products shall be
  permitted to sponsor the program or be permitted to display any form of such advertising in connection with the program.

MANAGERS AND COACHES

• Adult coaches, if properly dressed in a full baseball uniform, or in a uniform specified by a league, may be used in either or
  both the first and third base coaching boxes.
• Only players in baseball uniform and wearing helmets shall be used as base coaches when adult coaches are not used.
• A coach or coaches shall not switch coaching boxes during an inning.
• Players, managers and coaches shall remain in the dugouts, on the benches or in the prescribed areas throughout the game.
• If a manager or coach goes onto the playing field to talk to any player or players more than once in a half inning, while the
  same player is pitching, a pitching change shall be made. The only excep­tions to this rule shall be in case of injury, or if time
  is called by the opposing team or by an umpire.
• Umpires shall not permit more than one offensive time out in each inn­ing to allow a manager or coach lo talk with a batter.
• The use of tobacco, alcohol or illegal drugs in any form by players or adult leaders in the dugout, on the benches or on the
  playing field shall not be permitted.

LEAGUE BOARD

• The League President shall appoint a League Board of not less than five persons to receive and resolve all protests lodged
  during the playing of league games. At least three members, with one member being the League President, of the League
  Board shall be present to render a decision.

• The League Board may solicit testimony and advice from any source it chooses, but actual decisions shall be based on majority
  vote of the members of the committee only.

• When feasible, the League Board shall make every effort to ren­der a decision on a protest within 48 hours of receipt of the
  written protest.

• Decisions of the League Board shall be final and are not subject to appeal. Managers may request confirmation of a ruling by a League Board from the Tournament Director.  Such requests shall be submitted in writing, and shall be answered for informational purposes only, and shall not affect the specific official decision of the League Board

PENALTIES

• Penalty for use of illegal players shall be forfeiture of games in which illegal players participated, provided such games are
  protested by any of the league managers or officers in writing within 46 hours of the game or games in question. An illegal
  player is one who is not legally a member of the league because the player does not meet the require­ments as to age or documentation.

• Penalty for use of an ineligible player, upon appeal by the opposing manager or notification by the official scorer or league
  officers, when the official scorebook or other league records verify the ineligibility of the player concerned, shall be immediate
  removal of the player from the lineup and ejection of the team manager from the game. Both the player and the manager
  shall be ineligible to participate in the next scheduled game played by the team.
  
  
• An ineligible player is one who is legally a member of the league, but who is ineligible to play or to pitch in a particular
  game or games because of the limitations set forth in these Rules and Regulations, or as the result of a previous rules
  violation or disciplinary action.
• For purposes of interpreting this rule, a player shall not be consid­ered in violation of the rules until at least one pitch
  has been thrown to the batter after the point of violation.
• In the event the manager of an ineligible player refuses to remove the player from the lineup and the manager does
  not leave the field when the appeal is made, and verified, the game is subject to forfeit.
• When the ineligible status of a player is not established until after completion of the game, the game shall stand as
  played, but the player and manager shall be ineligible to participate in the next game played by the team, or the next
  game played after the ineligi­ble status has been determined.

• Illegal equipment shall be removed from the game.

• Players are not permitted to use illegal headgear even if no other headgear is available. When proper headgear is not available,
  the game shall be delayed until the equipment can be obtained, or postponed and rescheduled by the league officers.
• Penalty for use of illegal shoes shall be removal of the shoes from the game, and, if no other legal footwear is available,
  removal of the affected player or players from the lineup.
• Players who do not wear complete conventional uniforms, protective headgear and catching equipment as required by these
  rules, shall be removed from the lineup.
• Players who intentionally, in the judgment of the umpire, throw bats or protective headgear, or discard protective headgear
  while batting or running the bases, shall be ejected from the game following completion of any play in progress at the lime the violation occurs. Such action does not constitute an out and such players shall be replaced as batters or base runners if
  appropriate.
• Pitchers in violation of any of the pitching rules shall be considered in­eligible players, subject to the penalties stated for
  use of an ineligible player in this rule.

PROTESTS

• A protest based on a play which involves an umpire's judgment shall not be permitted.

• When protests are based on an interpretation of the rules, the objecting manager shall, at the time the play occurs,
  notify the head umpire, the opposing manager and official scorer that the game is being played under protest, and
  submit the protest in writing to the to the Decisions Committee, within 24 hours of the completion of the game and a
  non refundable protest fee of P500.00 will be required. Protests sent by fax will be considered valid as long as it falls
  within the 24 hour grace period.

• When protests based on the interpretation of a rule are upheld by the Decisions Committee, the game concerned shall
  be replayed from the point of protest.
• Umpires should make a public announcement to the crowd when a game is being played under protest.

• Any team manager or other adult leader who withdraws a team from the playing field under any circumstances prior to the
  official completion of the game shall forfeit all rights to protests as prescribed in this section.

GENERAL CONDUCT

• Players or adult volunteers who engage in unsportsmanlike conduct, such as fighting, abusive language or similarly
  derogatory action will be sanctioned as per the Section on Disciplinary Action.

• Teams, players or adult volunteers in violation of this General Conduct policy may be refused entry, OR MAY BE
  REMOVED FROM TOURNAMENT PLAY.

back to top ^

SHETLAND & PINTO DIVISION ^

DIVISION HEAD: NICO DUMANA – Southridge School for Boys

DIVISIONS                             Age                Diamond              Pitching

SHETLAND DIVISION          5 and 6      ... ... 50 feet              No Pitching

PINTO DIVISION                 7 and 8      ,. ... .50 feet            ..Coach Pitched (20 feet)

DISCIPLINARY ACTION

Coaches should not in any way get angry at or scold a player on the field for making a mistake. The offending coach will be asked to leave the playing field. The Technical Committee will then slap a corresponding penalty or fine, depending on the gravity of the offense, on the coach.

The following may be adopted by the league as a guide for the handling of player or adult discipline problems.

• The League Board shall have the authority to suspend, discharge or otherwise discipline any player, manager,
  coach, umpire, league officer or other person whose conduct is considered detrimental to the best interests of
  the league.

Persons subject to such discipline shall have the right to a hearing before the league officers prior to the imposition
of the appropriate penalty.

In the event of such a hearing involving a player, or other person under the age of 18, that person's parents shall
be invited to attend.

Persons, youth or adult, who refuse to comply with the rules of the League, may be considered for disciplinary action.

Recognizing the difficulty of establishing specific penalties for a variety of violations of acceptable conduct, the following penalties are suggested. The League Board may impose the one which, in their opinion, appears to match the severity
of the offense.

Warning The offending person is lo be advised, in writing, of the offense, and further
            ...advised that repetition of the offense shall result in a more severe penalty.

Suspension The offending person is to be advised in writing that he or she has been
....................Suspended from all league activity for a specific number of games, or days

Dismissal The offending person is to be advised in writing that he or she has been dismissed from the league for the
.................remainder of the current year.

Barred The offending person is to be advised in writing that he or she has been barred from present and future participation
.............in the league, permanently, or for a specific number of years.

TOURNAMENT FORMAT

The format may vary depending on the number of teams in a Division. The normal format will be a single round robin. There will
be a FINAL FOUR playoff round, (1 vs. 4 and 2 vs. 3 with nos. 1 & 2 having a twice-to-beat advantage). Winners of the Final 4 playoff will face each other in a Championship Game. Decision of the format will be at the discretion of the Division Commissioner and will be discussed in the membership meetings before the tournament.

LEGAL PLAYERS

Legal age of players for the 2007-2008 SEASON shall be:

SHETLAND    Players of league age 5 and 6, born on or after January 1, 2001.

PINTO           Players of league age 7 and 8, born on or after January 1, 1999.

All teams shall submit to the person in charge of the division the following:

• Copies of the players’ birth certificates or passports (for community teams)
• Principal’s or registrar’s certification (for school teams)
• A gallery folder with 2x2 pictures (signed by team manager or coach)

There shall be a minimum of 9 players in the line-up.  Only players with complete documents will be allowed to play. The ideal number of players in a team is 12.  Teams that have less than 12 players in their roster will be allowed to complete a 12-man line-up by acquiring the services of players from another school (Import Players), provided:

1. That the school where the import player studies is not part of the Metro Schools League membership, or
   
   
2. That the member-school does not have a team in the division where this import-player is eligible to play. If the member
   school has a team, the student who belongs in that school can play for another team if he/she is allowed by the member school.
   
   
3. That the maximum number of guest players is 3.

• An import-player will not be allowed to pitch or catch in any game of the season unless the opposing teams allow him to.
• Teams are allowed to change players during the season provided they are cleared by the rules committee.
• Teams with children above the age limit required in a particular division will still be allowed to play in the tournament as
  guest teams. All their games will be considered as practice games and will not win the division trophy. However, they shall
  receive a special award for their participation.

PLAYING FIELDS

SHETLAND  Distance between bases: 50 feet (15.24m)
....................Home plate to center of second base: 70 feet 8 1/2 in (21.56m)
                       
PINTO Distance between bases:  50 feet (15.24m)
............Pitching Distance: 20 feet
............Home plate to center of second base: 70 feet 8 1/2 in (21.56m)
           
The fair play area shall be within the first base and third base foul lines and a fence or marked line establishing the outfield
limits of the play­ing area, referred to here as "Home Run Distances."

RECOMMENDED HOME RUN DISTANCES

                                                Foul Line                                 Centerfield
                       
           SHETLAND            125 feet (38 16m)           ......... 200 feet (60.96m)

            PINTO                  150 feet (45.22m)                 ....200 feet (60.96m)

• There shall be a restraining line, located along the first base line and extending 3 feet (0 91 m] beyond first base.
  This line, paralleling the first base foul line and 3 feet (0.91m) into foul territory, shall be marked with chalk or other
  white material 2 inches (0.05m) wide. Point of origination for the restraining line from home base shall be one half
  the distance between home plate and first base.
  
  
• Home plate, the pitcher’s plate and the bases shall be official size as used in regulation baseball. Portable pitching
  mounds, meeting the cor­rect size requirements, are also approved.

• By local option, The catcher's box may berectangular in shape, 43 inches (1.09m) wide and eight feet (2.44m) deep
  from the point of home plate or it may be triangular shape, extended eight feet (2.44m) from the rear of home plate,
  being a continuation of the foul lines in which case the line closest to the backstop shall be 16 feet (4.88m) in length.

• There shall be a line marked by chalk halfway between all bases except that between home plate and 1st base to
  signify the “Point of No Return”.  Any player who passes this line must continue running to the next base.  If a player
  has not passed this line, he will then be has the option to go back to the base of origin. 

EQUIPMENT

• BALLS
  
  

  SHETLAND KENKO Soft Tee-Balls are required for league play and tournament play.

  PINTO Soft leather Safety Baseball approved by the Technical Committee.

• BATS
  
  

  SHETLAND: for safety reasons, only tee-ball equipment such as balls, tees, bats and bases recommended by the Japan
  Tee-Ball Association will be used. No metal or wooden bats will be used. The Metro Schools League will provide the balls,
  bats for the use of all participating teams during tournament.
  
  PINTO: Wooden, metal, graphite or ceramic bats, manufactured specifically for baseball play, which are round and not more
  than two and three-fourths inches (7.0 cm) in diameter at the thickest part, nor more than 42 inch­es (106,7 cm) in length,
  are acceptable. Bats manufactured specifically for use in T-ball play, shall not be used when the ball is pitched by a player,
  coach or pitching machine. However, due to the different circumstances surrounding the baseball situation of the country,
  the availability and affordability of bats, and the ground rules used, the technical committee will allow other kinds of bats
  commonly used in the specific age group.

• Rubber cleated baseball shoes, rubber soled or rubber cleated shoes are permitted.

• The batter, players in the on-deck batting area, base runners and players coaching in the baseline coaching boxes shall be
  required to wear protective headgear which gives protection to the top of the head, temples, ears and base of the skull.
  Use of face masks and property fastened chin straps on protective headgear is recommended

• Catchers are required to wear proper protective equipment including a mask with throat guard, chest protector, shin guards
  and protective headgear which gives protection to the top of the head when catching behind the plate. Any player serving as a catcher to warm up a pitcher shall wear a mask, whether the pitcher is warming up from the mound, in the bullpen or elsewhere.

• It is recommended that managers make every effort lo encourage the wearing of athletic supporters by all male players.

• Conventional baseball uniforms are recommended. Baseball caps and t-shirts or conventional baseball uniforms may be worn.
  All players must have a common shaded t-shirt and should have numbers on their uniforms that can easily be identified by officials.

This rule prohibits the wearing of shorts (defined as trousers which do not cover the knees of the wearer) or full length slacks by the players. Any exception to the uniform rule shall have the specific written approval of the League Board.

Where commercial advertising is used on team uniforms it is strongly urged  that the letters be limited to two inches or less.

• The use of bases with safety features, such as those with tapered sides, those that release upon sufficient impact and the
  double bag at first base have been approved.

• No jewelry shall be worn by any player, except for medical Identifi­cation.

• Cell phones, pagers or any other types of communication devices can not be used on the field of play.

PLAYING RULES

• The official playing rules, with the exceptions and variations contained in this book, shall be
  "Official Rules of Major League Baseball"

• No more than three players shall "huddle" on the playing field at any time during the game.
  Umpires shall discourage such gatherings when they tend to delay the game.

• Each team will be given FIVE (5) minutes to warm up on the field prior to their game.

• There is no limit on the number of batters per inning. No designated hitters.
  
  
• The entire roster of players present for the game shall bat in rotation. All team members present should play at least
  TWO (2) defensive and offensive innings in a game. In a game with a time limit, players who have not yet played should
  be placed in the inning that falls within the final 30 minutes of the game. In a game without a time limit, all players who
  have not yet played should be placed in the game at the start of the 4th inning. A coach who fails to comply may be
  subjected to disciplinary action by the Technical Committee or may forfeit the particular game.
• Batters are not permitted to bunt or soft swing at the ball. PENALTY - Pitch is a strike and the ball is dead.
  

  A 10-foot arc shall be inscribed in front of home plate, from the first to the third base foul line, and any batted ball which
  does not travel beyond that line will be considered a foul-strike for purposes of this rule.

• Only TEN (10) players in the roster can be used defensively. The outfielders must be positioned 15 feet behind the baselines
  when the pitching motion is made. The infielders must stay within the 3-foot wide base paths of 1st base to 3rd base.

• BATTING

SHETLAND The batting tee shall be placed on home plate. The umpire is responsi­ble for removal prior to any play at home plate. The batter will not be allowed to adjust the tee or take practice swings after the pitcher has made the pitching motion with one foot on the rubber. PENALTY: Strike.

The batter shall be called out after failing to hit the ball after SIX (6) swings at the ball on the tee. Batter is not out on a foul or foul lip unless it is a third swing.

PINTO A batter shall be declared out after failing to hit a fair ball after SIX (6) pitches are delivered by a pitching machine or coach-pitcher. The batter is out if there are three strikes before the sixth pitch. Missed swings are counted as strikes, as are foul balls and foul tips. A batter is not out on a foul ball or a foul tip unless it is also the sixth pitch.

• The catcher shall stand away from the plate until the bat­ter swings, then field the position defensively. (There is no dropped third strike rule

Base runners are not permitted to steal bases and shall remain in contact with the base until ball is hit or crosses home plate. PENALTY: If a runner is off the base and the ball is hit, the runner is out and the ball is in play. If the ball is not hit, the runner must return to the base and the ball is dead.

• There is no infield fly rule.
• Free substitution on defense including pitching position
• For safety reasons, there will be no tag plays to put out base runners. The defensive player only needs to step on the base
  where the runner intends to go and the runner will be called out. However, the defensive player may opt to tag out a base
  runner if he is within an arm’s length of the runner.
• If a batted ball hits a coach or a player, the play will continue and the ball is “live and in play”. If a coach deliberately uses this
  rule to the advantage of his team, he will be thrown out of the game by the umpire. The Technical Committee will then slap a corresponding penalty or fine on the coach, depending on the gravity of the offense.
• When a fair ball is hit to the out field and consequently thrown back anywhere inside the infield or the foul area in its immediate vicinity, it will now be considered a dead ball situation then all succeeding plays will be stopped. The ball shall then be given to
  the home plate umpire to start play with the next batter.

Appeal plays can be made, following the play that is to be appealed, at any time before the pitcher makes a pitching motion.

When an appeal is requested after the ball has been returned to the batting tee, the umpire shall retrieve the ball and give it to the player-pitcher at the pitcher's plate, and the player-pitcher may then proceed with the appeal.

PITCHING RULES

SHETLAND  Players are not permitted to pitch. Any team MEMBER except Import Players may occupy the pitcher’s position

• The ball shall be hit off of a batting tee placed on home plate.
• The umpire is responsible for removal prior to any play at home plate.
• The batter shall not swing at the ball until the pitcher has made a pitching motion from the pitcher's plate.
• The pitcher shall remain in contact with the pitcher's plate until the ball is hit by the batter. PENALTY: A balk shall be called

PINTO Coach Pitched - Coaches or Managers shall pitch from a pitching plate TWENTY (20)feet from the point of home plate.

• The player fielding the pitcher's position shall take position always on the left or right side of the coach-pitcher with
  one foot on the dirt portion of the mound.
• Coach-pitcher must remain in contact with the pitching rubber while pitching. He/she has the option to pitch overhand or underhand. No kneel­ing or pitching from the knee is allowed.
• The coach pitcher shall not direct or coach his team in any way on offense. PENALTY:  The coach will receive one warning
  and the second time, he must be removed.

LENGTH OF GAMES      

• REGULATION GAMES
  

SHETLAND  Once play has begun, the game shall be played to regulation length of six (6) innings or five and a fraction if the home team is leading, or forfeited by the decision com­mittee.  In games with time limits, teams shall not score more than FIVE (5) Runs per inning except in the sixth or extra inning where they may score twelve (12)runs. Games shall be considered over when it is mathematically impossible for one team to catch up in six innings.

PINTO Once play has begun, the game shall be played to regulation length of six (6) innings or five and a fraction if the home team is leading, or forfeited by the decision com­mittee. In a game with time limits, teams shall not score more than FIVE (5) runs per inning except in the sixth or extra inning which is open.

• League games shall be six (6) innings.
  
  
• If a game is called for any reason, it shall be a complete game if FOUR innings have been com­pleted, or if the home
  team has scored more runs in THREE innings or FOUR and a fraction innings, than the visiting team has scored in FOUR
  completed innings
  
  
• If a game is called for any reason before it is a complete game, as described in Sections A, B, and C or when the score
  is tied, it shall be considered a suspended game and shall be resumed from the point of curtailment at the time scheduled
  by league officials.
  
  
• If a game is called for any reason in an uncompleted inning, after hav­ing reached complete-game length as described in
  Section A, B and C and the visiting team ties the score or takes the lead in the uncom­pleted Inning, and the home team
  does not tie the score or retake the lead in its portion of the uncompleted inning, the game shall be considered a suspended
  game and shall be continued from the point of cur­tailment at the time scheduled by league officials.
  
  
• If a game is stopped before the end of the 1st inning, then the game will be replayed in its entirety at a later date to be
  determined by the Technical Committee.
  
  
• 10-Run Rule: If a team is leading an opponent by at least 10 runs after four or more complete innings have been played or
  after four and one half innings, if the home team shall have a 10 run lead at the end of its fourth inning, or before the completion
  of its fifth Inning, the game shall be terminated and the team in the lead shall be declared the winner. (This rule shall apply only in games without time limits)
  
• In the Elimination Round, there shall be a time limit of 1 hour 30 mi