Mustang (10U) Rules Amendments

January 3, 2022

The following amendments have been adopted by WSB for play in the Mustang Division:

  1. Participation Requirements
    1. Each player on the team shall play defense for at least two innings of each six-inning game.
    2. No player may sit more than two consecutive innings, unless being disciplined by the manager, who must inform the parents of the player of such action.
    3. The entire roster will be batted, and there is free substitution in the field.
  2. Player Safety Rules
    1. Bat Throwing
      1. When a hitter unintentionally throws their bat, the hitter will be warned.
      2. On the second offense, the ball will be declared dead and the batter will be called out.
      3. On the third offense, the ball will be declared dead and the batter will be called out and ejected from the game.
  3. Pitcher/Catcher Rules
    1. A pitcher that throws more than 35 pitches in a game may not then play the catcher position in that game (Threshold Rule Applies).
    2. A player that plays the catcher position more than two innings in a game may not then pitch in that day.
    3. A player that plays catcher and then enters the game as pitcher, may not catch again in that game.
  4. Time Limits
    1. No new inning shall be started once two (2) hours have elapsed since the published start time for games played on a weeknight or if there is a following game scheduled that would be impacted.
    2. If no scheduled game would be impacted, no new inning will begin once 2½ hours have elapsed since the published start time.
    3. Games will “drop dead” (i.e. end immediately) after 2 hours, 15 minutes have elapsed following the start of a game on a weeknight.
    4. During the postseason tournament, time limits will not be in effect.
  5. Scorekeepers
    1. Each team will supply a scorekeeper.  The home team shall provide the official scorekeeper.
    2. Either scorekeeper should notify the team manager concerned if an ineligible player or improper batter is about to be used in the game. If the scorekeeper fails to prevent the mistake, the normal consequences follow according to the OBR and PONY rules.
  6. Dealing with Umpires
    1. When time has been called, a coach or manager may request that the umpire clarify a ruling or interpretation of the rules.  The umpire may grant this request, but is not obligated to do so.
    2. If the umpire chooses to discuss the ruling with the manager, the umpire retains final authority and may end the discussion at any time.
    3. Judgment calls may not be questioned or mediated.
    4. It is a principle of WSB is not to protest games.
    5. Discussions regarding interpretations of our rules will occur between the umpires on the field at the time of play and the head coach from each team.
  7.  Pitching Rules
    1. Mustang division pitchers shall pitch from 46 feet, regardless of age.
    2. Balks are not enforced in Mustang division.  When a balk would normally apply, a pitch and/or play shall not count and may be replayed at the batting team’s discretion.
    3. An Intentional Walk is not automatic.  Balls must be legally pitched with the catcher positioned behind home plate at the time the ball is released.
  8. Base Running
    1. When the pitcher has control of the ball and is in contact with the pitcher’s plate (aka “the rubber”), the runner may not leave the base they are occupying.
    2. Runners may leave base when a pitched ball crosses home plate.
    3. If a runner is determined to have left his base early, the ball is declared dead and the runner must return to the base. The offending team will be warned.  Upon subsequent violations of this rule, runners will be called out, and the pitch shall be considered a dead ball.
    4. Once a runner, coming off third base after a pitched ball, ceases advancing towards home plate, the runner is obligated to return to third base at his or her own risk. If the defensive team attempts to make a play on a runner or loses control of the ball (passed ball, dropped ball or overthrow, etc.) that runner may then proceed home, without retagging, at their own risk.
    5. Head-first sliding is not allowed, except when diving back to a base. Players sliding head first will be called out.
    6. Base runners must “slide or avoid” when coming into a base where a defensive play is imminent:
      1. Base runners are required to slide or avoid fielders attempting to make a play on said base runners. (Note: If the ball is not in possession of a fielder or imminently arriving to them, there is no “play” being made).
      2. Failure to slide or avoid results in the base runners being called “out”.
      3. If, in the umpire’s judgment, the slide (or failure to) was done with malicious intent, the base runner shall be called out and ejected from the game immediately.
  9. Defensive players must not interfere with base runners.  If a defensive player presents a fake tag in an attempt to cause the offensive player to slide, the offending team will be warned. Upon subsequent violations the defensive player will be ejected from the game.
  10. Run Limits
    1. If the offensive team is tied with or ahead of the defensive team, the offensive team may score only five runs per inning.  After five runs, that half of the inning will be considered complete.
    2. If the offensive team is behind, it may score until it goes ahead of the defensive team by five runs.
    3. More than five runs may be scored in an inning if the additional runs score due to a ground rule double or home run batted fairly over the outfield fence.
    4. In the sixth (final) inning, the run limit rule operates the same way except the limit is eight instead of five.
  11. Mercy Rule (15 after 4, 10 after 5)
    1. If the home team is ahead by 15 runs after 3 1⁄2 innings, or the visiting team is ahead by 15 runs after 4 complete innings, it shall be considered a completed game. Play will stop unless both managers agree to continue play.
    2. After 4 1⁄2 innings a 10-run mercy rule is in effect.
  12. The Dropped Third Strike (DTS) Rule is NOT in effect for Mustang games.
  13. The Infield Fly Rule is in effect for Mustang games.
  14. All bats MUST have a USA Bat stamp.
    1. For more info on the USA Bat standard, please refer to this FAQ.
    2. Team coaches are responsible for assuring that no non-eligible bats are used in game play.
    3. If a non-legal bat is found to be in use, the bat is immediately removed from play and
      1. If detected after a pitch has been delivered, the player is declared out and the player and coach are removed from the game and will be suspended for one additional game.
      2. If detected after a ball is hit, the batter is out and base runners are returned to their original bases prior to the hit and the player and coach are removed from the game and will be suspended for one additional game.