2022 - Pre-Game Umpire & Coaches Review List

Ensure that Score books have players full names and uniform numbers recorded

Extra Hitter (EH) - Must be declared prior to the start of the game

DIDGET GAMES HAVE A TIME LIMIT - PLEASE REVIEW AND UNDERSTAND LEAGUE REQUIREMENTS

BOD Recommendation (4/2/17) - All Umpires are asked to wear shirts with full sleeves (No cut offs)

Check Base & Mound Distances

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

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

Pitches Allowed Between Innings (BOD) - No exceptions to this Rule

Maximum NUMBER OF PITCHES between Innings for same pitcher is FIVE (5)

Maximum NUMBER OF PITCHES FOR NEW PITCHERS is EIGHT (8)

Equipment

Helmets: MUST have face guards

Shoes: No Steel Cleats allowed (Football cleats ARE allowed)

Bats: Max diameter is 2 3/4 inches / Max lenght is 34 inches

Uniforms: MUST Have numbers to play

Strike Zone

Didgets - Bottom of chin to top of ankles

Bronco and Pony - Armpits to top of knees

        ALL DIVISIONS - Outside to outside of plate including black border

Balks

All pitchers will receive one warning

2nd balk by same pitcher follows normal baseball rules

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

Baserunning

Didgets

No leading off of any base until crosses over home plate

No running on dropped 3rd strike

Cannot steal bases when ball is being returned to pitcher

Home is CLOSED on pass balls and attempted throw back to the pitcher (in middle of field)

Bronco

8 Foot rule is observed at first base - Player CANNOT touch the 8 foot chauk line.(This is measured from side of 1st base facing 2nd base)

Runner at 1st base may attempt to steal (cross white chauk line) 2nd base as soon as the pitcher makes any movement

to start to pitch to home plate or to pick off a runner on base
 

Penalties:
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

Normal baseball rules

Slide Rule

All runners MUST make every attempt to avoid contact with an opposing player

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)

Catchers and Runners MUST both have opportunity to score a run and/or get an out at home

Catchers may NOT go up the third base line in the running lane and block the runner from home plate - if this occurs then the catcher will be called for interference

Runner will be awarded home plate and the run

Umpires decision is FINAL

Sliding is NOT REQUIRED at any other base - but if the umpire feels the runner made an intentional motion to run into the defensive player then it is the umpires decision whether the runner is OUT 

If there is CLEAR INTENT to CAUSE BODILY INJURY BY EXCESSIVE CONTACT THE UMPIRE MAY EJECT A PLAYER FROM THE GAME