"I won't be happy until we have every boy in America between the ages of six and sixteen wearing a glove and swinging a bat."--Babe Ruth
Click here for a printable version of the Pre-Game Checklist

 

2024 Per-Game Checklist

 

____ Score books or tablets must have players full names and uniform numbers listed

         Uniforms: MUST have numbers on uniforms to participate in the game

 

 

         Declared prior to the start of the game if any of these are used

         Extra Hitter (EH)

         DESIGNATED HITTER (DH)

         ALL PLAYERS IN LINE UP (APL)

 

 

         Reviewed TIME LIMIT / MERCY RULE

         DIDGET:    Any Inning started after Eighty (80) minutes or (7:20pm) will be the

                            "OPEN  INNING"  -  No Exceptions.

         BRONCO: Starts when 1st batter gets into batter’s box and NO NEW INNING starts

                            after 2 Hour Time Limit.

                           The 2 Hour rule SUPERCEDES the Mercy Run Rule

         PONY:       15 after 3    -    10 after 4    -    8 after 5

 

        Pitches Allowed Between Innings

        Returning pitcher is FIVE (5)

        NEW PITCHERS is EIGHT (8) (New inning or relief)

 

       Strike Zone

       Didgets - Bottom of chin to top of ankle’s.

       Bronco and Pony - Armpits to top of knees

       ALL DIVISIONS - Outside to outside of plate including black border.

 

       Slide Rule

       Runners MUST make an attempt to avoid contact with an opposing player on 1st / 2nd / 3rd

       bases.

       Sliding is ONLY REQUIRED AT HOME PLATE

       If a player is protecting home plate and the ball is catchable then the runner MUST slide

       Failure to slide will result in the player being OUT (NO EXCEPTIONS)

       If an umpire feels there was CLEAR INTENT to CAUSE BODILY INJURY BY EXCESSIVE

       CONTACT THE UMPIRE MAY EJECT THE PLAYER FROM THE GAME.

 

       Cather MUST allow runner opportunity to home plate – CANNOT BLOCK BASE PATH

       Catchers may NOT go up the third base line and block the runner from reaching home plate.

       If this occurs, then the catcher will be called for interference and runner will be awarded home.

       plate and the run

       Umpire’s decisions ARE FINAL

 

___  Defensive Substitution – Must be reported immediately (cannot wait till up to bat). Those

        Players and then married together for rest of game. Violation will result in a “WARNING”

        and incident reported to League President and violating team Trico representative>

        Offensive Substitution -  MUST  reported when player reports to bat (Follow League Flow

        Chart provided at coaches meeting

 

 

 

Base running Exception

 

                  Didget Division

        No leading off of any base until ball crosses over home plate

        No running on dropped 3rd strikes

        Cannot steal bases when ball is being returned to pitcher

        Home is CLOSED on pass balls & attempted throwbacks to the pitcher (from anywhere on field)

 

                  Bronco Division

        8 Foot rule is observed at first base - Player CANNOT touch the 8-foot chalk line.

            (This is measured from side of 1st base facing 2nd base)

        Runner may attempt to steal 2nd base as soon as the pitcher makes any movement toward

        home plate or to pick off a runner on a base
 

        1st Offense: All runners will return to their original base and the pitch is considered a dead ball.
        2nd Offense: Any runner at 1st base that crosses the line a second time during the game,

         The player is called OUT and the pitch is considered a dead ball. 

         Other runners will return to their original base.
         Players can lead off of any other base without any restrictions.

 

                Pony Division - Normal baseball rules

 

          Balks

         Pitchers in both Bronco & Pony divisions will receive one warning per game.

         2nd balk by same pitcher follows normal baseball rules.

         NOTE: Movement by the pitcher to 3rd base then to 1st base is considered a balk

 

        Check Base & Mound Distances

        BASES:    Didget - 60 feet               Bronco - 70 feet               Pony - 80 feet

        MOUND:   Didget - 42 feet               Bronco - 48 feet               Pony - 54 feet

 

        Equipment

        Helmets: MUST have face guards or chin guards

        Shoes: Rubber Cleats or football style cleats (Steel Cleats NOT ALLOWED)

        Bats: Max diameter is 2 3/4 inches / Max length is thirty-four (34) inches

        Sunglasses: No longer ALLOWED to be wore by Pitchers - effective 2024 Season