Registry of Umpires to be maintained at

and women who wish to provide competent, affordable

and dedicated umpiring services to the thousands

of PONY Baseball and Pony Girls Softball

teams across the United States and elsewhere.

Pony also has umpire liability insurance available only

to registered umpires.

Register online at www.pony.org

For additional information write, fax or call:

PONY Baseball, Inc.

P.O. Box 225, Washington, PA 15301-0225

Phone 724-225-1060 • FAX 724-225-9852

Players born during the month and year shown above on this chart are eligible in 2007 for play in the league indicated only.

Under no circumstances can a player "play up" out of their age bracket.

Palomino and C/P Combined teams may have up to 3 League Age 19 players on their roster.

leagues. Protective headgear for batters, baserunners, on deck batters, player

coaches and catchers is required. Regulation size home plate, pitching plate

and bases are recommended for all leagues. An official ball, bearing an

emblem of PONY BASEBALL, is required in league and tournament play.

For purposes of administration and tournament elimination, PONY Baseball

divides the contiguous United States into four zones, North, East, South and

West. The volunteer force of Field Directors at the Division, Region, Section,

District and Area are headed by a Vice President in each zone. There is also

an Asia-Pacific Zone.

D. PONY is a non-discriminatory organization, which prohibits actions against an

individual or league on the basis of race, sex, creed, religion or national origin.

E. Leagues shall be composed of any number of teams.

F. The league shall apply annually, prior to April 15, for a ‘‘Membership

Certificate,’’ using the ‘‘Membership Application Form’’ provided by PONY

Baseball.

G. The Membership Certificate shall be issued annually to each league, by the

Division Director, subject to the following conditions:

(1) The Division Director shall have the authority to withdraw or refuse

membership for just cause, and shall give written notice to the presiding

officers of the league, as indicated by the current Membership

Application form on file. The league has the right to appeal such action

to the Vice President in that Zone.

(2) The Membership Certificate does not imply that in future seasons a new

league cannot make application for operation within a portion of the present

boundaries of the league, but only that no other league shall be permitted

to operate within the boundaries established for the current season.

(3) The Membership Certificate expires at the conclusion of the actual play

of the season for which it has been granted and is subject to renewal

upon application and re-examination the following year.

H. All leagues are required to send rosters, with address information, to PONY

Headquarters, annually.

A. Accidents and injuries can occur while participating in baseball games. To protect

our members, all leagues and teams must purchase accident insurance

coverage and show proof by registration for the players, managers, coaches,

official scorekeepers and volunteer umpires in their league with a policy provided

by the league. Such coverage is available through PONY Baseball, Inc.

B. All affiliated leagues and teams must purchase league liability insurance with

minimum limits of one million dollars, on an occurrence policy basis, and

naming PONY Baseball, Inc. as an additional insured. The liability policy must

also include participant legal liability coverage of one million dollars. Such

coverage is available through PONY Baseball, Inc.

of not more than 15, nor less than 12 players and should not exceed

more than eight players of the older age. The names of these players shall be

registered with the league player agent.

and should not exceed more than 12 players of the older age.

B. Age, for the league purposes, means “league age,” which is that age attained

by a player prior to August 1 of the season in question.

May 1, 1998 and April 30, 2000.

1996 and April 30, 1998.

1994 and April 30, 1996.

1992 and April 30, 1994.

May 1, 1990 and April 30, 1992.

May 1, 1987 and April 30, 1990.

NOTE: Where desired, players of league age 15, 16, 17, 18 and 19 may

than 3 league age 19 year old players are allowed on a roster.

proper age whose residence, as determined by the residence of their parents

or legal guardians (supported by school records), is within the approved

league boundaries shall be considered ‘‘legal’’ players for league and tournament

competition.

(1) Players shall not participate with more than one PONY Baseball

and/or Softball league at the same time.

(2) A player shall not move from one league to another within a common or

overlapping boundary in the same season.

parents or legal guardians, player’s residence while attending school or legal

voting residence.

(1) The intent of this rule is to prohibit the recruitment of players who would not

otherwise reside within the player selection area of the team.

(2) In the event of a question or protest of team player selection areas within a

Palomino league, the decision of the Division Director shall be final.

(3) Any player whose parents move and establish a new permanent residence

shall submit a written request to compete for the team recruiting in his previous

address or the team recruiting from his present address. This request

shall be received by the Division Director by June 1st.

D. Dates of birth of candidates shall be certified by birth certificates, hospital certificates,

baptismal certificates, driver’s licenses or equivalent religious or legal

documents which shall be presented to a league officer prior to the league’s

first regularly scheduled game.

(1) Exact copies of birth documents are acceptable and may be made by

anyone on any copy machine or mechanical duplicating process.

(2) Documents presented as proof of date of birth shall be legible and bear

the signature of an authorized official of the issuing agency.

(3) Player identification cards are issued by PONY Baseball, Inc. upon

receipt of the proper forms from league officials and verification by a

PONY Baseball Field Director. These cards are acceptable as evidence

of birth. Photo copies of these cards are not acceptable.

(4) Notarized statements from parents are not acceptable.

has been approved by the Player Agent.

F. Players cannot receive money, favors or gratuities for playing baseball,

accept money or favors for reimbursement for time lost at work while playing

baseball, or expenses incurred while playing. Such acceptance shall

not be direct or indirect, through parents, trustees or guardians, or for

future payment. Any player who has signed a professional baseball contract,

or who has accepted remuneration for his services as a player shall

not be legal.

G. League officers are given the option of prohibiting players from participating

on teams in other non-scholastic baseball programs. Local League policy in

this matter shall be adopted in written form and made a part of the Local

League Bylaws.

H. Please refer to rule 1A concerning PONY’s policy on disabilities.

A. League boundaries shall be determined by the officers and executive committee

of the league but are subject to annual approval by the Division Director.

B. A map clearly indicating the current boundaries of the league shall be sent to

the Division Director and shall be replaced upon request.

(1) Unless specifically stated otherwise, the center of the street shall be considered

the actual dividing line when streets are used as boundaries.

(2) Maps shall indicate specific boundaries such as streets, railroad tracks,

rivers, or school districts, postal zones, city limits or similarly specified

areas. A definition of boundaries such as “five-mile radius” is not

acceptable.

C. The Division Director, based upon the recommendations of the Field Directors

concerned, reserves the right to adjust boundaries in the event of overlapping

of territorial requests or because of inequitable conditions. Though boundaries

are not specifically restricted by population or geographic area, both

shall be considered when boundaries are submitted to the Division Director

for approval.

League boundaries need not be identical.

E. Leagues shall identify to the Division Director the boundaries from which

they intend to select their players, either on a school population basis, or on

a geographical basis.

A. Selection of players shall be in accord with provisions set forth in the Player

Selection Plan adopted by the league. It is expected that each legal player

residing within the approved league boundaries shall be given an opportunity

to become a player candidate for the league.

B. The selection of players for league teams shall be under the direction of a

Player Agent who shall be selected by the league officers.

shall be responsible for determining player eligibility as to age, amateur status

and residence, based upon documentation submitted by the team.

approve all Player Contracts.

(1) League and team officials shall be expected to cooperate fully with the

Division Director, or his representative, in providing such documentation

as shall be requested to verify the age, amateur status and residence

of players.

(2) It shall be the duty of the team Business Managers to keep the Division

Director, or his representative, advised of any changes in the players

participating with his team.

(3) The original copy of each Player Contract is to be retained by the team.

Two copies shall be provided to the Zone Palomino Director, not later

than June 30. The Zone Palomino Director will forward copies to the

commissioner’s office by July 15th.

for disciplinary reasons, before June 30, may be replaced with the approval of

league officers, but such players shall not participate with any other Palomino

team for the remainder of the current playing season.

the Division Director, by June 30, replacement of players shall require the

approval of the Division Director. Replacement shall be approved only in the

event a player becomes ill or injured, loses his amateur status, or because

of a vacancy created by the signing of a player to a professional baseball

contract. Players replaced under this rule shall be considered illegal for the

remainder of that playing season.

A. Distance between bases:

B. Pitching Distance:

C. Home plate to center of second base:

D. 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.”

E. The height of the pitcher’s mound above the level of home plate and the

base paths, raised by a gradual slope shall be:

F. There shall be a restraining line, located along the first base line and extending

3 feet (0.91m) beyond first base. This line, paralleling the first base foul

14

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.

G. The recommended distance from home plate to the backstop shall be:

H. 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.

I. By local option the catcher’s box may be rectangular 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.

A. The ball shall weigh not less than five nor more than five and one-quarter

ounces (142-149 gms.) avoirdupois, and measure not less than nine nor

more than nine and one-quarter inches (22.9-23.5 cm) in circumference.

Baseballs, specially manufactured and designed in such a way as to reduce

injuries, or the seriousness of injuries, are approved for use in local league

B. Both leather and vinyl covered baseballs bearing the emblem of PONY

Baseball are manufactured to specifications by several companies and are

the baseballs required for league play and tournament play.

C. 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.

D. Metal cleated baseball shoes, rubber soled or rubber cleated shoes are permitted.

Alteration of metal cleats, such as sharpening, which might make

them dangerous to participants, is specifically prohibited.

E. The batter, players in the on-deck batting area, baserunners 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. These items shall be NOCSAE approved.

(1) Use of face masks and properly fastened chin straps on protective headgear

is recommended.

(2) 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.

F. Catchers are required to wear proper protective equipment including a

mask with throat guard, chest protector, shin guards and NOCSAE

approved headgear which gives protection to the top of the head and both

ears 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.

15

G. It is recommended that managers make every effort to encourage the wearing

of athletic supporters by all male players.

recommended. Baseball caps and t-shirts or conventional baseball uniforms

may be worn.

required in league AND TOURNAMENT PLAY include a shirt, pants,

cap, and socks as used by teams in the Major Leagues, and shall be worn

by all players.

(1) 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.

(2) Any exception to the uniform rule shall have the specific written

approval of the Headquarters Office.

(3) Where commercial advertising is used on team uniforms it is strongly

urged that the letters be limited to two inches or less.

I. 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 .

J. No jewelry shall be worn by any player, except for medical identification.

K. Cell phones, pagers or any other types of communication devices can

not be used on the field of play.

A. The official playing rules, with the exceptions and variations contained in

this book, shall be ‘‘Official Rules of Major League Baseball’’ completely

revised, as released through the office of the Commissioner of Baseball.

B. 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.

shall bat in rotation.

must be positioned 15 feet behind the baselines when the pitching motions is

made.

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. 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.

Pitch is a strike and the ball is dead.

three swings at the ball on the tee. Batter is not out on a foul or foul tip

unless it is a third swing.

pitches are delivered by a pitching machine or coach-pitcher. The batter is

16

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.

G. SHETLAND: The catcher shall stand away from the plate until the batter swings,

then field the position defensively. (There is no dropped third strike rule.)

PINTO: The catcher may assume the catcher’s position or stand away until

H. SHETLAND and PINTO: Base runners are not permitted to steal bases and

I. SHETLAND and PINTO: There is no infield fly rule.

J. MUSTANG: It is recommended that each player on the team play in at least

K. SHETLAND and PINTO: No player participation rule applies. Free substitution

L. MUSTANG, BRONCO, PONY, COLT and PALOMINO: In any instance in

M. SHETLAND and PINTO: When the ball is in the possession of an infielder

tee or coach-pitcher method is used, or before the ball is ejected from

the pitching machine.

(2) When an appeal is requested after the ball has been returned to the

pitching machine, the coach-pitcher or 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.

(3) PINTO only: If a batted ball hits the coach pitcher or the coach operating

N. MUSTANG leagues shall adopt one of the following three optional rules for

(1) Runners may lead-off and steal bases, as in Official Baseball Rules.

(2) Runners at first and second bases may lead off and steal bases, as in

Official Baseball Rules, but runners at third base shall remain in contact

with the base from the time the pitcher steps on the rubber with possession

of the ball until the pitched ball has been hit or has reached or

passed the batter. Once the pitcher has stepped on the rubber, in possession

of the ball, runners at third base who leave base before the

pitched ball reaches or passes the batter shall be called out and the

pitch shall be considered as a dead ball.

(3) Runners may steal bases, but shall not leave the base they are occupying

at the time of the pitch until the pitched ball has reached or passed

the catcher. Once the pitcher has stepped on the rubber with possession

of the ball, runners who leave base before the pitched ball reaches

or passes the catcher shall be called out and the pitch shall be considered

as a dead ball.

P. The batter must keep one foot in the batter’s box at all times in order to

speed up play. PENALTY: Umpire will call play ball and call the pitch a

strike.

Q. COMMUNICABLE DISEASE PROCEDURES

While risk of one athlete infecting another with HIV/AIDS during competition is

close to non-existent, there is a remote risk that other blood borne infectious

diseases can be transmitted. For example, Hepatitis B can be present in

blood as well as in other body fluids. Procedures for reducing potential for

transmission of these infectious agents should include, but not be limited to,

the following:

(1) The bleeding must be stopped, the open wound covered and if there is

an excessive amount of blood on the uniform it must be changed before

the athlete may participate.

(2) Routine use of gloves or other precautions to prevent skin and mucous

membrane exposure when contact with blood or other body fluids is

anticipated.

(3) Immediately wash hands and other skin surfaces if contaminated (in contact)

with blood or other body fluids. Wash hands immediately after

removing gloves.

18

(4) Clean all contaminated surfaces and equipment with an appropriate disinfectant

before competition resumes.

(5) Practice proper disposal procedures to prevent injuries caused by needles,

scalpels and other sharp instruments or devices.

(6) Although saliva has not been implicated in HIV transmission, to minimize

the need for emergency mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, mouthpieces,

resuscitation bags, or other ventilation devices should be available for use.

(7) Athletic trainers/coaches with bleeding or oozing skin conditions should

refrain from all direct athletic care until the condition resolves.

(8) Contaminated towels should be properly disposed of/disinfected.

(9) Follow acceptable guidelines in the immediate control of bleeding and

when handling bloody dressings, mouth guards and other articles containing

body fluids.

A. SHETLAND: Players are not permitted to pitch.

B. Any team member may pitch, subject to the restrictions of the pitching rules.

C: SHETLAND, PINTO and MUSTANG: Pitching options:

(1) For use with batting tee:

(a) 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.

(b) The batter shall not swing at the ball until the pitcher has made a

pitching motion from the pitcher’s plate.

(c) 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.

(2) For use with pitching machine:

(a) The pitching machine shall be located approximately 38 feet

(44 feet in MUSTANG) from home plate.

(b) The pitcher shall take position, ALWAYS TO THE REAR OF THE

PITCHING MACHINE, and on the left or the right side with one foot

on the dirt portion of the mound.

(c) If a batted ball strikes the pitching machine and remains in fair territory,

the ball is in play.

(d) If a batted ball strikes the pitching machine and goes into foul territory,

the ball is dead, the batter is awarded first base and all runners

advance one base.

(e) The coach operating the pitching machine shall not direct or coach in

any way on offense. PENALTY: The coach will receive one warning

and the second time he/she must be removed.

(3) For use with coach pitchers:

(a) Coaches or managers shall pitch from a pitching plate 38 feet (44

feet in MUSTANG) from the point of home plate.

(b) The player fielding the pitcher’s position shall take position always

to the rear of the pitching plate, and on the left or right side of the

coach-pitcher with one foot on the dirt portion of the mound.

(c) Coach-pitcher must remain in contact with the pitching rubber while

pitching. He/she must throw the ball overhand. No kneeling or

pitching from the knee is allowed.

(d) 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.

19

D. PINTO: While PONY Baseball does not recommend pitching by players,

the following may be used for player pitching at the league's

discretion:

(1) Pitchers shall not pitch in more than two innings in a calendar day.

(2) Pitchers shall not pitch in more than four innings in a calendar week.

(3) Pitchers shall have 40 hours rest after pitching in two innings on the

same calendar day.

(4) When pitchers are used, a third strike is an out even if the catcher

drops the ball.

the same calendar day.

PALOMINO (League age 17, 18 and 19): Pitchers shall not pitch in more

than nine innings on the same calendar day

F. 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.

G. MUSTANG pitchers shall be allowed to pitch in no more than eight innings

and BRONCO, PONY and COLT age 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.

H. Pitchers shall have at least 40 hours rest after pitching on the same calendar

day in:

MUSTANG: Three innings.

BRONCO, PONY, COLT: Four or more innings.

PALOMINO (League age 17, 18 and 19): Five or more innings.

I. 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.

J. As soon as a pitcher delivers one pitch to a batter the pitcher shall be considered

as having pitched in one inning.

K. 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.

L. 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.

M If a relief pitcher comes in ‘‘cold’’ the umpire shall allow the pitcher to warm

up properly with at least ten warmup pitches.

N. Pitchers in violation of any of the pitching rules shall be considered ineligible

players, subject to penalties outlined in Rule 18 - Penalties.

O. 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.

20

B. PINTO: Once play has begun, the game shall be played to regulation

25

with other teams in the local area and is to be conducted with

league or “All Star” teams at the discretion of the Division Director. PONY

sanctioned tournaments may include District, Section, Region and Zone

levels of tournament play.

A. To be eligible for tournament competition a league shall have:

(1) Filed the membership application form, paid the team membership fee

and met all other membership regulations as set forth in the “Rules and

Regulations for Shetland League, Pinto League, Mustang League,

Bronco League, Pony League, Colt League and Palomino League.”

(2) Filed the Tournament Application Form and paid to the Division

application form shall be provided to each league by the Division

Director after receipt of the league membership application by PONY

Baseball headquarters.

tournament play. Any program operating with more than 10 league teams,

may select tournament players from any ten teams within their operation.

All-Star teams can be selected from any teams in the league, regardless

of the number of times a team is used. The number of teams the league

desires to enter in tournament play shall be indicated on the membership

application form.

tournament play and/or form an all-star team of 15 and 16 year olds

and enter Colt League tournament play. All-Star teams may be entered

are not permitted.

C. Documentary evidence of accident medical insurance, preferably in the

form of a certificate of insurance, shall be carried to all tournament

games in the event a team member needs medical attention.

D. A medical release form for each player, bearing the signature of the player’s

parent or legal guardian, shall be carried to all tournament games.

(See page 36.)

teams shall consist of a minimum of 12 and a maximum of 15 players.

consist of a minimum of 12 and a maximum of 18 players.

B. At their first level of tournament competition, tournament teams that do

not list 12 or more eligible players on their tournament eligibility affidavit

shall be disqualified from tournament play.

players, who are physically able to play, present at the start of all

present within 15 minutes after the scheduled starting time of the game,

the game shall be forfeited.

D. At each league’s option, tournament teams shall be composed as follows:

league age 5 year old players and/or any combination thereof.

league age 7 year old players and/or any combination thereof.

league age 9 year old players and/or any combination thereof.

league age 11 year old players and/or any combination thereof.

league age 13 year old players and/or any combination thereof.

league age 15 year old players and/or any combination thereof.

league age 17 year old players and/or any combination thereof.

Three 19 year old players are allowed per team.

age 18 year old players or any combination of 15, 16, 17, 18 year

old players. Three 19 year old players are allowed per team.

E. Only players listed on the tournament team eligibility affidavit, one manager,

one coach and one business manager (one extra coach is permitted

all of whom shall be dressed in full baseball uniform with the official tournament

team emblem, sewn on their right sleeve, shall be on the field or

bench. Under this ruling, “bat boys,” male or female, or “mascots”, animals

or human, shall not be permitted on the field or bench.

F. Competing youth league organization’s logos and marks are prohibited

from being worn on uniforms of coaches, players and umpires in

all levels of tournament play. PENALTY: These logos or marks must

be removed immediately. If not removed immediately, the individual,

or team shall be removed from tournament play.

G. All tournament teams shall have a team photo available when they

begin Section level tournament play.

27

A. Tournament players shall:

(1) Be of proper age, as stated in these rules;

(2) Reside within the boundaries of the league represented by the tournament

team;

(3) Have participated in at least one-half of a team’s games in the

league represented unless excused because of a scholastic competition.

Upon written request from a league, Region Directors may

lower this requirement to participation in one-third of a team’s games

for a player or players who are engaged in a state high school baseball

tournament and are prohibited from PONY Baseball play until

scholastic competition is completed. Any players who participates in

the USA Baseball Tournament of Stars will have those games count

towards this total.

(4) Comply with the rules and regulations for league and tournament play.

B. Tournament team players shall be required to wear an official tournament

team emblem, sewn on the right sleeve of the uniform, when participating

in tournament play at all levels. These emblems are available

through PONY Baseball.

A. In the event a PALOMINO team does not have more than 15 players

under contract or listed on the player roster form, that team may add up

to three players to the team.

(1) Added players shall be selected from among players for other

teams in the same regular season league which have been previously

eliminated from tournament play.

(2) Such additions shall be made after the completion of the team’s

first level of tournament play and before the team’s second level of

tournament play.

(3) Teams hosting tournament play after the first round of play shall

select additional players, from previously eliminated teams in their

own league, at any time prior to the level of play they are hosting.

B. No eligible player shall be dropped from the regular season team to

permit the addition of players from other teams.

C. Each league shall determine the manner of selection of additional players

by various teams within the same local league.

A. Each league president or designated league officer shall examine the

birth certification documents of all players on the league tournament

team and, using the eligibility affidavit form provided by PONY

Baseball, shall confirm by this affidavit the eligibility of the players on

the tournament team representing the league.

B. The name of the player shall be listed on the eligibility affidavit exactly

as it is shown on the birth document. (Example: “John William Jones,”

not “Johnny Jones”).

28

C. Two copies of the eligibility affidavit shall be presented to the tournament

director at the team’s first tournament game.

(1) The original copy, bearing the team pitching record on the reverse

side, shall be returned to the winning team following completion of

the tournament and shall be presented for examination at all future

tournament games.

(2) A copy of the winning team’s eligibility affidavit shall be forwarded

to the Division Director by the Tournament Director at the team’s

first level of tournament play.

(2) PALOMINO players added to teams under Rule T-4 are an exception

NOTE: Players of league age 15 or 16 playing on a COLT-PALOMINO

COMBINED tournament team are governed by all Colt League pitching

C. BRONCO, PONY, and COLT: In tournaments involving four or less

D. BRONCO, PONY, and COLT: In tournaments involving five or more

rest after pitching in four (five for PALOMINO) or more innings on the

for SHETLAND League.

30

A. Tournament teams shall play until eliminated, at the sites and times

designated by the Tournament Director or his representative, with the

full realization that to do so may require competition with teams composed

of players of various race, creed, color and sex.

B. When a team wins the championship of any level of tournament play

and refuses to advance to play in the next level of tournament play, that

team shall be replaced by the runner-up team. When a team refuses to

advance to the next level of play, the Division Director will review the

action and may suspend the league‘s membership in PONY Baseball,

Inc. for the following year.

C. The various field directors of PONY Baseball shall have full responsibility

for determination of team pairings, playing brackets, scheduling

and rescheduling of tournament games.

A. The various tournament directors shall have full responsibility for providing

competent umpires for tournament play under their jurisdiction.

Tournament umpires shall be 18 years of age or older.

B. When circumstances permit, umpires who have not worked in the games of

the two competing leagues shall be assigned. When it is necessary to

assign umpires from the leagues in competition, the umpire-in-chief shall be

selected by the toss of a coin or some other mutually satisfactory method.

C. All umpires shall be familiar with the rules and regulations, particularly

that phase which deals with forfeiture and protest.

D. No league officer shall umpire in a tournament game when the league

of which he is an officer is participating.

E. National officers of PONY Baseball, Inc., field directors, tournament

chairmen and tournament directors shall not be permitted to umpire in a

tournament game.

F. Only Pony Baseball registered umpires are eligible to umpire Pony

sanctioned tournament play. Those umpires who are calling Pony tournament

play shall wear the Pony umpire emblem on their right sleeve

or a Pony Umpire hat.

A. A field manager and a coach, who shall each be of legal age in the state

in which they reside, shall be selected with each tournament team.

(1) SHETLAND and PINTO: Teams may have a total of four coaches

E. Penalty for use of an ineligible player shall be the immediate removal of

both the player and the manager from the game and continued ineligibility

for the next scheduled tournament game played by that team.

If such ineligibility carries over from one level of tournament play to the

next, the tournament director concerned shall notify the tournament

director at the next level of play.

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F. Penalty for use of illegal equipment shall be removal of such equipment

from the game.

G. The manager, coach and business manager with a tournament team are

considered representatives of the league which the team represents.

Seriously inappropriate conduct on the part of these adult leaders, on or

off the playing field, may result in penalties assessed against the league.

Such penalties, to be imposed by the Zone Vice-Presidents following

consultation with headquarters, may involve rejection of the league’s

application for membership in PONY Baseball the following year, or

acceptance of the membership application on a probationary status.

H. Grievous individual misconduct, on the part of adult leaders or players,

on or off the field, such as, but not limited to, fighting, drinking, publicly

audible use of foul or abusive language, may result in the removal of an

individual from further tournament play for the remainder of the tournament

season. Players removed under this section shall not be replaced

on the tournament roster.

I. The use of artificial noisemakers is prohibited.

A. Each league shall assume full responsibility for expenses incurred in tournament

competition. Expenses shall be reimbursed to as great a degree

as possible from tournament entry fee receipts and host guarantees.

When possible and practical, arrangements shall be made to have food

and housing costs at the tournament site wholly, or partially assumed by

the tournament sponsor or host.

B. The sponsoring organization at any tournament level shall not assume

responsibility, under any circumstances, for transporting, feeding, housing

or otherwise providing for any players, other than those listed on the

tournament team eligibility affidavit, a manager, a coach and a business

manager with each participating team, as covered by the tournament

agreement.

A. The World Series level of tournament play shall be by pairings and format

determined annually by the Board of Directors of PONY Baseball, Inc.

B. Travel expense reimbursement for participating teams shall be at the rate

determined by the Board of Directors of PONY Baseball, Inc.

C. Transportation arrangements to and from World Series sites shall be

made or approved by the Division Director, working in cooperation with

the business manager of the team concerned.

D. World Series sponsoring organizations shall provide housing in private

homes, in motel, hotel, college, military or similar facilities which have

been approved by the World Series Tournament Director.

E. Sponsoring organizations shall provide meals, or a meal allowance, for

all participating teams.

F. Participating teams which choose not to accept housing and/or meals

provided by the sponsoring organization shall reside and eat elsewhere

at their own expense, and shall be responsible for their own

local transportation.

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Tournament play is exciting. Disputes will arise. Tempers may flare.

The example set by managers and coaches will be reflected by the players

and coaches. As adults guiding, setting an example for young people,

make it a good example. Violent displays of temper will not only give the

program a bad name, but may cost the league fan and financial support

in future years.

SINCE TIME AND DISTANCE ARE A FACTOR IN TOURNAMENT PLAY,

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF PONY BASEBALL HAS RULED THAT

TOURNAMENT PROTESTS SHALL BE DECIDED ON THE SPOT — THAT NO

APPEAL OF RULINGS MADE BY THE DECISIONS COMMITTEE IS TO BE

ACCEPTED. THE DECISION COMMITTEE IS THE FINAL ARBITRATOR.

Managers are urged not to begin play in any tournament game until a

Decisions Committee has been appointed and its members made known

to them.

If, for any reason, a Decisions Committee is not present, and the

Tournament Director is not present, and has not designated anyone to serve

as a representative of the Tournament Director, the competing managers

shall agree upon a Decisions Committee before play begins.

If a Tournament Director is not present and a Decisions Committee is not

appointed, the decision of the umpire-in-chief shall be final.

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A PONY Baseball OFFICIAL PLAYER REGISTRATION CARD, or a

medical release form similar to the above, both of which are available from

PONY Baseball, Inc; signed by a player’s parent or legal guardian, MUST

BE provided in advance of any participation, for each player on the tournament

team in order that physicians and hospitals may accept players for

treatment in the event of illness or injury where the parent(s) or legal

guardian(s) are not available. This form may be copied and is acceptable.

Documentary evidence of accident insurance is also required. As such evidence

of insurance may be requested by a physician or hospital when a

team member is treated. A certificate of insurance is the preferred format.