Carmel Unified Youth Baseball

Red Book of Local Rules

Pinto Minor Division

Updated: 10/8/24

CODE OF CONDUCT

PROFANITY, DRUGS, ALCOHOL, & SMOKING
The use of profanity, alcohol, drugs, or tobacco on the playing field or in the dugout during league games, non-league games, All Star competition or practices is strictly forbidden. Smoking is prohibited at all parks including parking lots. The umpire or League officials will eject violators of this policy.

SPECTATORS
Spectators are encouraged to cheer for all the athletes on the field. Positive comments and encouragement of the teams is welcomed. Voicing loud, negative opinions of umpires, managers or players will not be condoned by Carmel Youth Baseball. Team managers and coaches are responsible for controlling their partisan fans. Umpires or league officials may take appropriate action, including warning and/or ejection of individuals not in compliance with this policy.

TAUNTING, SINGING, & CHANTING
Spectators, coaches, and players shall not taunt players in the field. They may give positive encouragement to batters as long as the opposing pitcher is not being harassed or distracted in any manner. Carmel Youth Baseball players or coaches are not permitted to chant or sing with the intent of disrupting the game or the other team/players. Absolutely no taunting or distracting of the pitcher or catcher is permitted by any base runner at any time.

RESPECT FOR UMPIRES
Only the team manager will engage in discussion with the umpire. Such discussion will be with normal tone and volume of voice. Managers are to conduct themselves in a non-threatening manner before, during, and after discussions with the umpire. Person-to-person contact, throwing or kicking dirt or other unsportsmanlike antics are grounds for Board action. Coaches, parents, and spectators are not to talk to the umpires during the game. Members of Carmel Youth Baseball and spectators shall be respectful in all comments to umpires regardless of personal feelings about calls or the umpire's personality.

EJECTION FROM GAMES
The ejection of a coach, parent, spectator, or player from a game for any reason will automatically lead to the suspension of that individual from the next scheduled game. No exceptions. In addition, the Board may take other action.

48 HOURS TO REPORT RULES VIOLATIONS
Coaches, managers, and league officials who witness games or practices where inappropriate acts occur or League policies/rules are violated must report the incident to the appropriate Division Director, Director of Baseball, Vice President or President within 48 hours. Failure to report an incident or violation can lead to Board action.
PARENTS
Parents are encouraged to report inappropriate acts to the team manager or coach. If not given a satisfactory response, they should report the incident to the Division Director. If not given a satisfactory response by the Division Director, then the incident should be reported to the Vice President. If not given a satisfactory response by this individual, then the incident may be reviewed at a special or regularly- scheduled Board meeting.

PHYSICAL CONTACT WITH PLAYERS
League officials and coaches must be cautious in how they touch players. Inappropriate contact will not be tolerated. Keep in mind that parents and children can easily misinterpret even innocent touching by a coach.

LEAGUE’S RIGHTS
The League’s rights involve but are not limited to the fact that the Board of Directors has the authority to suspend or revoke the right to play or otherwise participate in the league for the current season and/or future years any player, parent/guardian, manager or coach whose conduct violates commonly accepted standards of sportsmanship, behavior, attitude or decorum either on or in the area of the playing field or away from the playing field. Such authority may be exercised by a simple majority vote of the Board members present at any regularly scheduled or special meeting. Such a vote is not subject to appeal during the current season.

CELL PHONES
Cell phones, pagers, or any other type of communication device cannot be used in the dugouts or on the field of play.

GENERAL LEAGUE RULES

RULE BOOKS
The rules governing play and policies for Carmel Youth Baseball are contained in separate documents and are to be applied in the following order:

1. Carmel Youth Baseball Red Book of Local Rules

2. Inter-city rules may supersede the Red Book during Inter-city play

3. PONY Baseball Rules and Regulations

4. Sporting News Edition of Major League Rules

LOCAL RULES
The Local Rules in this document are intended to supplement and, when in conflict, to supersede other sources, except when playing inter-city. Inter-city rules would be approved before any games played.

APPLICATION OF RULES
These General League Rules apply to all divisions unless otherwise noted. Local Rules may be amended from time to time (including in season) by a 2/3rds vote of the Board of Directors. Also, the Board will make other rule interpretations by majority vote if required.

ALL STAR TEAMS
Carmel Youth Baseball All Star teams shall not be entered into tournaments without approval of the Board of Directors. All Star teams shall be selected in accordance with applicable rules and regulations. Carmel Youth Baseball All Star teams shall be red, gray or white, with the appropriate uniforms unless otherwise directed by the Board.

EQUIPMENT
Helmets

Helmets with Full Cage Face Guards are required. 

PENALTY: Players can not participate until compliant.

Cleats
Metal cleats are not permitted in this Division.

Athletic Supporter
The league highly recommends all players wear a gender specific protective cup at all times, at all positions. Players playing the catcher position are required to wear a protective cup at all times.

PLAYER PARTICIPATION IN OTHER LEAGUES
Players active in the Carmel Youth Baseball program may not participate in other PONY baseball leagues unless the other program ends prior to the beginning of the Carmel Youth Baseball program or begins after the players last regular season or All Star game. In addition, the Board of CYB, at its discretion based on a majority vote, may suspend and/or revoke the right to play in CYB of any player who has excessive unexcused absences. Player participation in CYB’s Select is an exception. Select players and teams can participate in games and/or practice during the regular season. 

APPROVED COACHES
A Carmel Youth Baseball approved manager or coach must be present to represent each team at every game and practice. Prior approval by the Board of Directors for each additional coach.

TEAM SPONSORS AND DONORS
Team sponsors and individuals that donate to the league will not be given special consideration in draft procedures. Team sponsors will be assigned after teams are selected.

EXECUTIVE BOARD
An Executive Board shall consist of the League President, Vice President, and one other Board Member selected by the Board of Directors. The Executive Board shall be constituted to resolve complaints lodged by any member of the League. All members of the Executive Board shall have served at least one year on the Board.

NUMBER OF COACHES
Each team will be assigned one coach and one manager. During games one additional coach may be on the field provided he/she is approved by the Board. All managers and coaches must follow league guidelines and procedures (i.e. the Redbook of Rules and the Parents Handbook, etc.). An additional “dugout coach” (beyond the three noted above) can assist the team during a game.

DUGOUT ORGANIZATION
Only team members, manager, coaches (assistant, additional and/or dugout coach; a total of four adults) shall be allowed in the dugout at any one time during a game. Team representatives shall wear a team hat to aid in identification. First violation of this rule will result in a warning to the manager and notification to the Board. Second and subsequent violations of this rule will result in the suspension of the manager from the following game. (Suspension means that the manager will not be
allowed to participate in any on field capacity during the following game).

COACH SELECTION AND TEAM LOADING
All managers and coaches must be approved prior to the start of the season. The Board will consider coach pairings, based on recommendations by the Director of Baseball after discussions with the Division Directors, in an effort to discourage team loading. The Director of Baseball would prefer to pair inexperienced coaches with experienced ones in an effort to ensure a continuous pool of experienced coaches for each level of play. This may not always happen, however it should be considered. Managers and coaches with prior Carmel Youth Baseball approval and positive experience may be given consideration over new coaches in the approval process. The Board will consider participation in league activities when selecting coaches. Coaches serve at will of the board or executive committee. The Board will approve managers and coaches by secret ballot. Approval requires a simple majority vote. A suspended coach may request a hearing under GRIEVANCE POLICY listed below unless otherwise noted.

AGE ELIGIBILITY

Pinto Minors is a 7 and under league, also known as 7U. See Pony “AGE Appropriate” for birth dates for player eligibility status. Players may request to play up if the player demonstrates an exceptional skill level and is physically capable to play up. The decision to play up is at the discretion of the Director of Baseball and each Division’s Directors, i.e. Mustang and Bronco, if a player is requesting to move from Mustang up to Bronco. Players will not be allowed to play up if the Director of Baseball and the Division Directors believes such a move would compromise the safety of the player or the team. If approved, a player will be allowed to play up only one level during their last eligible year in a division, based on playing age. There is no guarantee a player selected to play up will be placed with a sibling. Playing up is not recommended by CYB.

DIVISION RULES

TIME LIMITS

• Games are 1 hour, or 6 innings whichever comes first.
  

• No inning may start after the 1 hour time limit, even if the game is tied. A new inning is determined to have started once the third out in the previous inning has been recorded.

• If an inning starts before the time limit expires, the entire inning is to be completed.

• Warm up is to begin no earlier than 30 minutes prior to a game.

RULES OF PLAY

• Coaches will pitch to their own team. 

• The coach pitching will act as the umpire; he/she will have final say in outs and runner advancement.

• (4) overhand pitches will be thrown to each batter. If the ball has not been put into play,  then (4) underhand will be thrown. If the ball still has not been put into play the batter must hit from the batting tee.

• There is no scorekeeping in Pinto Minors.. 

• No league standings will be kept. 

• In the 1st inning only, each team will bat all players during their respective half inning.

• In subsequent innings, play continues in each ½ inning until either three outs or five (5) runs have been recorded.

PLAYER PARTICIPATION

• ALL team members will play in the field. 

• Players should play all normal baseball positions. 

• No more than 6 players shall play in the infield, including a catcher, and pitcher position. 

• There will be no “Rover” position unless the team has more than 9 players. In the case of a Rover, he/she is to play as the 4th outfielder.

• No player may play the same infield position for more than 1 inning in a game. However, coaches can use a player for 2 innings (maximum) at the same position for safety reasons at the 1st base and catcher positions only. 

• Outfielders should be positioned approximately 25 feet behind the baseline while the other team is batting. 

• At the start of the season, the catcher position will not be mandatory. 

• The Division Director after consulting with Pinto Minor coaches, will determine when to shift to including the catcher position.

• When the catcher position is utilized, the catcher must remain in the “catching position” and not chase passed balls. 

• A defensive team coach must stand behind home plate to retrieve any missed, foul or pass balls. The coach will place the balls in a bucket to keep the pace of play going.

• Catchers should only throw the ball back to the pitcher if the pitch is caught clean or directly in front of him/her.

NUMBER OF PLAYERS

• If a team can't field 9 players, up to 3 players can be borrowed. 

• A borrowed player(s) must come from the opposing team. 

• Borrowed player(s) from the opposing team should be the individual(s) who made the final out(s) in the preceding inning.
  

• Borrowed players will play only in the outfield and will not bat for the borrowing team.
  

• A borrowed player may not replace a regular team member who is either present for the game or who arrives late. 

• If a player arrives late, he/she must immediately take the place of the borrowed player.
  

• The first borrowed player must play the outfield position closest to the lending team’s dugout. The second borrowed player will play the opposite field, and the third borrowed player will play center field.
  

• When a borrowed player’s turn “on deck” arrives, the player who made the last out in that inning for the loaning team will replace that player in the outfield. The intent is that no player loaned to the borrowing team shall miss an at bat for their team.

• No automatic out is called for the borrowed player's position in the batting order.

LATE ARRIVALS

In this division, players are considered late if not in uniform and ready to play when the managers start the game. Players arriving late shall be added to the last position in the lineup.

PITCHING

• With coach pitch, batters will receive (3) overhand, then (3) underhand pitches to put the ball in play. . 

• A batting tee will be used if the ball was not put into play after the (6) coach pitches . 

• No walks will be allowed.

• There are no strikeouts in this division.  

SLIDING RULE

No mandatory slide rule. However, a runner who doesn't slide will be called out by the umpire if there is substantial body-to-body contact with a player applying a tag, making a catch in order to apply a tag or making a catch in order to make a play on another runner. After the runner who does not slide is called out, the ball is dead and any other runners return to the last base touched at the time of contact. Managers may also eject the player if he/she feels contact was flagrant or intentional. EXCEPTION: Incidental contact or obstruction.

HOME TEAM DUGOUT

The home team will occupy the third base dugout.

HOME TEAM & SCOREKEEPERS

No score will be kept in this Division. 

BASE RUNNERS

• A “two step” primary lead off is permitted at any base.

• A secondary lead is allowed at any base. Runners shall not take a secondary lead until the ball leaves the pitching machine.

• Baserunners shall remain in secondary lead until the ball is put into play.

• Extra bases are not allowed while the ball is in the infield.

• When a runner is going to a base and the ball is overthrown at that base, the runner may proceed to the next base only. Base runners are not allowed more than one base regardless of the number of additional overthrows on any one play. 

• One extra base will be allowed on an overthrow to first base UNLESS the right fielder makes an attempt to backup the throw, any attempt / motion to backup the throw and runner(s) will NOT take an additional base.

• Extra bases are not allowed while the ball is in the infield.

• Runners must return to the base immediately when the ball returns to the pitcher’s mound.

STEALING

• Baserunners are not permitted to steal bases.

• Runners shall not take a secondary lead or steal until first movement. 

• Runners who leave early must return to the base previously occupied. If the ball is put into play on a pitch where the runner leaves early AND the coach deems there was a significant (coach’s discretion) advantage to the base runner who left early, the runner will be declared out.

• Runners may not steal home even on a pass ball or wild pitch. 

NO CATCHER RULE

There will be no catcher positioned behind home plate while a batter is up to bat.

INFIELD FLY RULE

The infield fly rule does not apply in this Division. 

INTENTIONAL WALKS

Intentional walks are not allowed in this Division.

CONTINUOUS BATTING ORDER 

• All players on a team shall bat in order, regardless of whether they have played in the field. EXCEPTION: Arrival of a late player will be added to the bottom of the order. 

• The Continuous Batting Order Rule shall not be waived. 

EXCEPTIONS: 

• If the coach ejects a player from the game, their spot in the batting order is an automatic out. 

• If a player has to leave the game for any reason other than an ejection, his/her spot in the batting order is eliminated, but it is NOT considered an out when that spot in the order comes to bat. 

DROPPED THIRD STRIKE

There is no Dropped Third Strike rule, therefore a batter may not run. 

TRICK PLAYS

There are no trick plays allowed in this Division. 

BAT THROWING 

• ACCIDENTAL – Any bat that STRIKES or comes DANGEROUSLY CLOSE to striking any person that the coaches deem accidental. 

PENALTY: 

• 1st time – both teams are warned, 

• 2nd time – player causing infraction is called out. Ball is dead. All runners return to the last base touched at time of infraction.

• INTENTIONAL – Any bat that the coaches deem was intentionally thrown.  PENALTY: The player is called out and ejected from the game. Ball is dead. All runners return to the last base touched at time of infraction. Enforcement and rule interpretation are by the managers’ and/or coaches' judgment.

CATCHER COURTESY RUNNER

With 2 outs and a catcher on base, a courtesy runner may be used so the catcher can return to the dugout to put on his/her gear. The runner must be the player who made the last recorded out. The runner is not considered a substitute.

GRIEVANCE POLICY

COMPLAINTS
Parental (or other) complaints on any aspect of the Carmel Youth Baseball program shall be reported to the Vice President within 72 hours. The Vice President for Carmel Youth Baseball may at his/her discretion after reviewing the complaint with the President elect to call a meeting of the Executive Board. All Board members shall be responsible for forwarding complaints within 72 hours to the Vice President who shall, at his/her discretion, expeditiously schedule a meeting of the Executive Board. All involved parties can address the Executive Board, but a Player’s parent or guardian must be present if a player is to address the Executive Board. The Executive Board can place reasonable time limits on each speaker at its discretion. The Executive Board will study the issues and may render an immediate decision or delay making the decision until the next scheduled Board meeting. The matter may be referred to the full Board if majority of Executive Board members agree. Decisions will be made by simple majority vote. The Executive Board may elect, among other actions, to suspend the respective party from the next scheduled game or for the entire season or longer.

GAME PROTEST

Managers and coaches cannot protest a game in this Division.

PLAYER DRAFT RULES AND PROCEDURES

TEAM SELECTION

• Division director is responsible for building teams.

• Every effort will be made to accommodate special requests

• Teams will be built based on balancing players from all schools.

LATE SIGN-UPS

CYB reserves the right not to accept a player’s registration. Reasons for denying registration may include: teams have reached a maximum number of players, or the addition of a player will significantly alter the parity of the teams within the division, etc.

SUGGESTED MINIMUM/MAXIMUM NUMBER OF PLAYERS PER SHETLAND TEAM 

9-10 players per team ideally