CFGAA Ponytail page
PONYTAIL
(A) Ponytail players shall use an eleven (11) inch softball.
(B) A regulation game may start with seven (7) players,.
No outs will be recorded for the missing batters (i.e. the short handed rule is not in effect).
Up to ten (10) players may be placed in the field.
All players on the roster and present will bat.
No out shall be recorded for injured/sick players unable to bat.
(C) The pitching distance is thirty-five (35) feet and the base paths are sixty (60) feet.
(D) There are two umpires, home plate umpire and field umpire.
(E) Game time is one (1) hour and fifteen (15) minutes or five (5) innings, or in the case of inclement weather, three (3) innings.
(F) There is a five (5) run limit per inning.
(G) T-Ball and Little League bats may be used.
(H) The infield fly rule will not be observed.
(I) All base runners may leave the base when the ball leaves the pitcher's hand (either the player-pitcher or the coach-pitcher).
; Runners will be allowed to steal one base per pitch from the player/-pitcher.
Runners may not advance any further as a result of a pick off play following a pitch from the player/-pitcher.
Runners will not be allowed to steal home.
Runners may not steal a base on a pitch from the coach-pitcher
(J) A runner may score as a result of one of the following:
1. A batted ball
2. A walked batter with bases loaded
3. A hit batter with bases loaded
4 Catcher obstruction with bases loaded
(K) Look back rule will be enforced.
(L) The dropped third strike rule will not apply, (i.e. a batter cannot run to first base on a dropped third strike).
(M) The player -pitcher(s) will have to walk one (1) batters in an inning before no more walks will be allowed and the "coach -pitcher" comes in.
From there on during that half inning, if a batter receives four (4) pitches which are called balls by the umpire,
a representative of the offensive team, not a player, will pitch to the batter.
This representative is called the - "coach -pitcher".
A batter will have up to two (2) pitches from the "coach -pitcher" with which to put the ball legally in play.
On the second pitch and any succeeding pitch the batter following can remain alive in an at bat
(and eligible to receive an additional pitch) by fouling off the ball.
The strike count immediately before the "coach -pitcher" entered the field is retained.
The first pitch from the "coach -pitcher" cannot be strike three, unless the batter swings and misses,
and had a two strike count before the "coach -pitcher" entered the field.
If the first pitch from the "coach -pitcher" is fouled off, regardless of the count,
the batter will receive the second pitch from the "coach -pitcher"
The "coach -pitcher" will have thirty (30) seconds to take his or her position on the pitcher's plate after being instructed to do so by the plate umpire.
Failure to do so may result in the batter being called out.
The "coach-pitcher" must have one foot in contact with the pitcher's plate when the pitch is delivered.
After the pitch, the "coach -pitcher" will vacate the field, moving away from the ball and defensive play.
If a "coach pitcher" touches or is hit by a "live" ball, the umpire will have the final decision on a possible "interference" call.
The "coach pitcher" may not coach/speak to the batter-runner or other runners after the ball is pitched.
The umpire will issue a warning.
Repeated failure to comply may result in the replacement of the adult picher.
The umpire may issue as many warnings as they deem appropriate.
The defensive player who is the pitcher shall position herself to the left or right of the "coach -pitcher" in the pitching circle.
(N) A batter hit by a pitched ball thrown by the "coach -pitcher" is not awarded first base.
If the batter swings at the pitch, it is a strike.
(O) In the event a player -pitcher hits three (3) batters in one inning,
or cumulatively hits five (5) batters in a game,
the player must be removed from the pitching position for the remainder of the inning and the next full inning.
(P) Bunting will be allowed at all times, including when the "coach -pitcher" is pitching.
(Q) Whenever the player occupying the catcher's position reaches base with two outs,
or is on base when there are two outs, a courtesy runner will replace that player.
The courtesy runner will be the last player to have completed their "at bat" who is not currently on base.
For the purposes of this rule, the player occupying catcher's position is defined as the player listed as catcher on the starting lineup
or the last player who played catcher in the last half inning.
The catcher who is removed from base for the courtesy runner is expected to go to the dugout and begin putting on the catcher's equipment in preparation for the next half inning.