The following rules amendments can be found in our league Policies, Procedures, & Rules document. These were last updated on February 15, 2023.

Pinto Rule Amendments

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

8.4.1 It is mandatory that each player on the team play in at least two innings of each game and 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 before the game begins.

8.4.2 Upon the unintentional throwing of the bat by the batter, the batter will be warned. On the second offense, the batter will be called out. On the third offense, the batter will be called out and ejected from the game. On the second and third offenses, the ball will be considered dead.

8.4.3 There is no balk enforced in Pinto play. If an illegal pitch is detected by the umpire (such as delivering a pitch without being in contact with the rubber, dropping a ball while in contact with the rubber, or any other violation according to baseball rules) instruction shall be given to the pitcher as to why their action is illegal, unless in the opinion of the umpire it is done intentionally, then a ball will be added to the ball-strike count of the batter and no advancement of the base runners (if any).

8.4.4 No new inning will start after 2 hours from the start of the game on a weeknight or if there is a game scheduled after that would be impacted, or after 2½ hours if no scheduled game would be impacted. Weeknight games will drop dead after 2 hours, 15 minutes. There is no time limit in the EOS tournament.

8.4.5 Either score keeper should notify the manager concerned if an ineligible player or improper batter is about to be used in the game, but the failure of a scorekeeper to do so has no effect upon the rules.

8.4.6 Each team will supply a scorekeeper. The home team shall be the official scorekeeper.

8.4.7 It is a principle of WSB is not to protest games. 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. The final decision will be made by the plate umpire.

8.4.8 Mediation rule. When time has been granted, a coach or manager may request that the umpire allow a mediation (or clarification) of a ruling. This is to be granted at the mercy of the umpire, who is not obligated to honor the request. If the umpire does allow the manager the opportunity to mediate the ruling, the umpire still has the final ruling. No judgment calls may be questioned or mediated.

8.4.9 Pinto players will pitch from 40 feet.

8.4.10 The offensive coach shall pitch to the batter for the last four innings. A player (from the Defensive team) will be used to pitch the first two innings. If the game goes into extra innings, coach pitch will be used.

8.4.11 A batter will be declared out after failing to hit a fair ball after six pitches are delivered by the coach-pitcher unless the 6th pitch is a foul ball, or if the batter reaches 3 strikes (called strikes or swings) before the 6th pitch. Again, an at bat cannot end on a foul ball.

8.4.12 Normal catching position will be used for both the coach-pitch and player-pitch.

8.4.13 Coaches or managers will pitch from either pitching rubber. Coach-pitchers may squat or kneel when delivering the pitch provided they are in contact with the pitching rubber.

8.4.14 The player fielding the pitcher position shall take position always to the rear of the pitching plate, and on the left or right side of the coach pitcher. The player must have at least one foot inside the pitching circle when the ball is pitched.

8.4.15 If a batted ball strikes the coach pitcher, it is a live ball and the play continues

8.4.16 PLAYER PITCHER RULES:

8.4.16.1 Walks are not allowed in the Pinto division. During player-pitch, if a batter has 4 balls in the count, a coach pitcher will finish the at-bat. The player has 4 pitches to finish the at-bat and retains the number of strikes called during the player pitcher part of the at-bat. The batter is not out if the 4th pitch is a foul ball.

8.4.16.2 A batter will not be awarded a base if the batter is hit during coach pitch.

8.4.16.3 During the first two innings of the game, if the batter is hit by a coach pitch on any of the first 3 pitches thrown by the coach, the player continues the at-bat. If the batter is hit by a pitch on the 4th and final coach pitch, the batter shall be out.

8.4.16.4 Following the first two innings of the game, if the batter is hit by a coach pitch on any of the first 5 pitches thrown by the coach, the player continues the at-bat. If the batter is hit by a pitch on the 6th and final coach pitch, the batter shall be out.

8.4.17 Dropped third strike is not in effect.

8.4.18 Time will be called when any “infielder” (see below for clarification on this area), standing on the “Infield Dirt” (see below for clarification on this area), has possession of the ball and raises it above his / her head – runners will advance to the next base if, in the judgment of the umpire, they were more than ½ way there. If not, runners must return to the prior base. “Infielder” is a defensive player on 1B, 2B, SS, 3B, Pitcher or Catcher. “Infield Dirt” is the area from home plate to the “grass” in fair territory.

8.4.19 No base stealing is allowed.

8.4.20 RUN LIMITS. If the offensive team is tied with or ahead of the defensive team, the offensive team may score only three runs per inning. After three runs, that half of the inning will be considered complete. If the offensive team is behind, it may score until it goes ahead of the defensive team by three runs. More than three 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. In the sixth (final) inning, the run limit rule operates the same way except the limit is six instead of three.

8.4.21 12-RUN MERCY RULE. If the home team is ahead by 12 runs after 3 1⁄2 innings, or the visiting team is ahead by 12 runs after 4 complete innings, it shall be considered a completed game. Play will stop unless both managers agree to continue play. After 4 1⁄2 innings a 10-run mercy rule is in effect

8.4.22 In the event that the game is tied at the end of 6 innings and the time limit has not been exceeded and the umpire determines that it is light enough for play to continue, extra innings will be played in accordance with “California rules” where each half inning starts with the runner who earned the last out in the preceding inning placed on second base, and one out.

8.4.23 The entire roster will be batted and there is free substitution in the field.

8.4.24 The Infield Fly Rule is NOT in effect for Pinto games.

8.4.25 Bat must adhere to the standard put forth by the league. *All bats must have a USA Bat stamp as of 2018 Spring season.

8.4.26 POST SEASON

8.4.26.1 A coin flip prior to each playoff game will decide the home and away teams..

8.4.26.2 Regular season rules apply to all playoff games (playing time, pitch counts, etc)

8.4.26.3 The PInto bracket will be determined by random draw. In the event that there is an odd number of teams, one team will receive a first round bye.

8.4.26.4 Fill in players such as kids from a younger division or other teams are not allowed in the playoffs. Teams must field at least 8 players for an official game. Teams unable to field the required number of playoffs must forfeit. *If the coaches agree before the game to provide a player so the kids can play, the game is allowed BUT the team who needed help is still considered the losing team, regardless of outcome.

8.4.26.5 Coaches are REQUIRED to provide pitch counts for each pitcher used in every game following the game. The method for providing will be decided by the division commissioner before the playoffs.

8.4.26.6 The playoff tournament is double-elimination until the championship round. The championship game is considered the final game, even if the losing team suffers their first loss of the tournament in the final. The advantage of being undefeated is the additional rest days for your players and pitchers.

8.4.26.7 EXTRA INNINGS IN POSTSEASON TOURNAMENT. After one extra inning, the game will be decided by “California rules” where each half inning starts with the runner who earned the last out in the preceding inning placed on second base, and one out. In the event of darkness, the umpire will have the ability to stop the game. The game will revert back to the inning in which there was a clear winner where one team had the lead. In the event that the Championship game is called due to darkness, the game will be continued at a mutually agreed upon date until there is a clear winner.