Revised January 24, 2001

AUGLAIZE COUNTY PONY LEAGUE (ACPL)

The Auglaize County Pony League is a summer recreational baseball program for Auglaize County communities and original founding members in close proximity of. The purpose of the league is to provide a place for youth finishing 7th and 8th grades to play baseball.

LEAGUE RULES

1. There will be a board of league commissioners. The commissioners will be appointed by each community's own board or committee. The commissioners are responsible for setting up officers among themselves for conducting League meetings; also scheduling games, tournaments, collecting League fees, rosters and birth certificates, and ensuring the League Rules are enforced. There may not be more than one commissioner from any school district or community. Commissioners from first year teams are prohibited. When voting on rule changes being presented by the board, each team in the League receives one vote only.
2. This is a recreational league. NO STACKED TEAMS ARE ALLOWED. Communities or school districts with more than one team in the League must divide their teams equally by draft, lottery or some means of fair distribution. Teams wishing to join the League must demonstrate to the commission that teams will not be hand-picked teams. Teams accepted into the League will be on probation for the first year and may or may not be accepted into the League for a second year.
3. Regular season games will be played on Wednesday and Friday nights at no earelier than 6:00 p.m. unless agreed upon by both teams. Forfeit time will be 15 minutes later than scheduled game time.
4. All games must be played (weather permitting) on scheduled game dates except by mutual agreement of both coaches. Any team two (2) or more games behind in playing scheduled games must notify a commissioner. Commissioners may declare games forfeits in order to determine League standings.
5. League fees will be determined by League vote each year. Current fees are $85.00 per team. Fees must be paid before the first game.
6. Any boy or girl in the high school district is eligible to play. Players finishing the 7th or 8th grade and not 15 years of age before January 1 are eligible. Any 6th grader who turns 13 before August 1 is eligible. (Players in 8th grade with birthday before January 1 must apply for board approval to play and pitch. 6th graders with 13th birthday after August 1 may play with board approval only.)
7. Rosters must be turned in before the first game. Copies of birth certificates must be turned in with the roster. Players may be added to teams up to June 10. Players must be registered with the League Commissioners before they play in a game. Rosters must be turned in or teams forfeit until they are on record.
8. Players may play in more than one league at a time. Players that move up to a higher level may not move back down to this level.
9. Any team playing an ineligible player will forfeit all games in which he has participated. It is the responsibility of the coach to make sure that all players are eligible.
10. The home team is responsible for providing and paying for a licensed high school umpire when at all possible. The use of others such as college baseball players when licensed umpires are not available will be at the agreement of both coaches before game play. No appeals once umpire(s) are agreed upon. The home team coach must make every effort to find licensed umpires and notify the other team prior to their arrival at the park if one could not be found.
11. Both teams will provide one new ball and one white ball Pony League approved or higher grade. No vinyl balls.
12. Senior League or High School approved or better equipment is to be used. Senior League bats -8 or less, maximum 2-3/4" diameter. All Little League bats are legal.
13. Steel spikes are allowed.
14. Players on the team batting or otherwise must wear helmets on the field including on deck, and any area outside of the fence dugouts.
15. Pitching distance measured from back of the plate is 56 feet. Bases are 80 feet.
16. Games are 7 innings.
17. Any game called for weather or darkness shall resume at the exact point at which the game was called, unless the game has been completed past 4-1/2 innings and there is an established winner. The umpire will decide whether field conditions are playable. There will be a maximum 30 minute grace period before a game is called. Late games played under lights will have no innings started after 11:00 p.m.; if game has been completed past 4-1/2 innings and there is an established winner the game will be called. All others resume at exact point at which game was suspended. All suspended games must be completed as soon as possible to keep league standings current.
18. All tournament games must be played the full seven (7) innings exept for run rule.
19. All catchers must wear a helmet and mask while warming up pitchers while on field or in bull pen. Catchers must have a throat flap unless the mask is designed to incorporate throat protection.
20. Players must wear numbered jerseys with no duplicate numbers.
21. Any baserunner making malicious contact may be called out at the umpire's discretion. Attempt to avoid contact!
22. All Coaches, Players and Fans are expected to display good sportsmanship. Head coaches will be held responsible for their coaches, players and fans. Any complaints about unsportsmanlike behavior will be referred to the board of commissioners and reviewed along with the umpire in charge of game. The following actions may occur:

    a. Warning

    b. Suspension of player or coach

    c. Banishment of a fan from future games

    d. Placing of a team, coach or player on probation

    e. Ejection of a team from the League

    Any action by the commission must be the result of a unanimous decision.
23. All teams within a school district must agree on a plan to equalize ages of players and talent per team.
24. All teams are to set team roster limitations according to program participation levels. The cutting of players is strongly discouraged and expansion teams welcomed because of increased participation.
25. Extra hitter may be used by one or both teams. The use of a designated hitter is optional.
26. High School Rules apply in all cases except those noted in these League Rules.