General League rules govern all divisions. Please click on tabs for individual levels.
GENERAL LEAGUE RULES
NOTE: Applies to the entire League, unless otherwise noted in the individual division rules.
1.All rules will be governed by League Rules, Pony Baseball Rules (excluding age
restrictions), Babe Ruth Rules (whichever is applicable), and Sporting News Rulebook, in the order listed for priority.
2.If any player is injured, the umpire will use his/her discretion to stop play, at which time
the ball is dead.
3.If a player, while swinging at the ball and missing, or after hitting the ball, accidently throws their bat, they will be warned by the umpire the first time. If it occurs a second time the player will be called out.
4.No metal cleats are allowed from T-Ball through Bronco.
5.Any runner is out when, the runner does not slide or attempt to get around a fielder who has the ball and is waiting to make the tag.
6.No “Slug Bunts” are permitted. A slug bunt is when a player squares around to bunt, or shows bunt, and then takes a full swing at the ball. Any batter deemed slug bunting by the umpire will be ruled out.
7.If the playing field is not available due to bad weather or other circumstances, the league
will make a reasonable attempt to reschedule the games at the next earliest convenient
date. It is the responsibility of the Player Agent and the Vice President of Operations to
set the dates of make-up games.
8.Baseball bats can only be swung in on deck circle or batter’s box during the game. Baseball bats cannot be swung in dugout.
9.At the discretion of the umpire, a player who intentionally throws his or her helmet or bat out of anger can result in an ejection.
10.Any spectator, player, manager or coach acting in a disorderly, demeaning or vulgar manner shall be ejected from the game and immediate park area at the discretion of the umpire.
11.All players must wear League issued uniforms. All shirts must be properly tucked in to ensure safety. Improperly attired players may be subject to a one game suspension at the discretion of the protest committee. It is required that all players wear a protective cup.
12.No harassment or intimidation by any person will be allowed. Persons who fail to comply may be asked to leave the premises.
13.All games will start promptly according to schedule. Starting at the Mustang level if after fifteen (15) minutes, a team does not have 8 or more players, that team shall forfeit. If neither team has enough players present, the game shall be a DOUBLE Forfeit. If a game does not start on time due to one team not having enough players, once the game starts, the game start time is based on the scheduled start time and shall not exceed the 2 hour time limit.
14.The ball is live upon hitting the fences and dead upon leaving the playing field. The runner is entitled to two bases from the last base he had possession of the ball leaving the field of play.
15.Spotter Rule: Any player that is warming up to pitcher must have a spotter. The spotter must wear a helmet at all times and face the field of play. Any player that is catching must be fully equipped when warming up the pitcher. Catchers must have their back toward the field of play and pitchers must face the field of play. Catchers must wear a helmet and chest protector at all times.
16.Instructional to Pinto Call-up:
Players may be moved up one division to fill a roster of ten (10) players with the
approval of the Player Agent, but may not pitch or catch. A player moving up from one
division to another may not start or play more innings than a regular roster player.
Players moving up must play at least three (3) innings or half the game, whichever is the
least. Instructional Managers will supply players' names to the Player Agent of the Pinto
Division.
17.Pinto to Mustang Player Call-up:
Players may be moved up one division to fill a roster of ten (10) players with the
approval of the Player Agent, but will not pitch or catch. Managers must notify the Player Agent or the Vice President of Operations at least 1 hour before game time to be given the possibility of getting a player. A player moving up from one division to another may not start or play more innings than a regular roster player. Players moving up must play at least three (3) innings or half the game, whichever is the least and cannot play more innings then any rostered player, except in case of injury, whichever is the least. Players moving up will bat at the end of the order. All mustang rules apply to all players. Pinto Managers will supply up to three (3) players' names to the Player Agent of the Mustang Division.
18.Mustang to Bronco Player Call-up:
A pool of players will consist of current 10 year-old Raptors first and will be used to fill a roster of ten (10). The Vice President of Operations and the Player Agent shall supervise use of this player pool. Managers must notify the Player Agent or the Vice President of Operations at least 1 hour before game time to be given the possibility of getting a player. Players moving up must play at least three (3) innings or half the game, whichever is the least and cannot play more innings then any rostered player moving up must play at least (3) innings or half the game, whichever is the least and cannot play more innings then any rostered player, except in case of injury and they cannot pitch or catch. Players moving up will bat at the end of the order. If a player is used, it is the responsibility of the team Manager to notify their player agent.
19.Bronco to Pony Player Call-up:
A pool of players will consist of current 12 year-old Raptors first and will be used to fill a roster of ten (10). The Vice President of Operations and the Player Agent shall supervise use of this player pool. Managers must notify the Player Agent or the Vice President of Operations at least 1 hour before game time to be given the possibility of getting a player. Players moving up must play at least three (3) innings or half the game, whichever is the least and cannot play more innings then any rostered player moving up must play at least (3) innings or half the game, whichever is the least and cannot play more innings then any rostered player, except in case of injury and they cannot pitch or catch. Players moving up will bat at the end of the order. If a player is used, it is the responsibility of the team Manager to notify their player agent.
20.PHYSICAL VIOLENCE IS NOT PART OF OUR BASEBALL PROGRAM. ANY
MANAGER, COACH, PARENT, PLAYER, OR FAN CAUGHT FIGHTING WILL BE
SUBJECT TO DISCIPLINARY ACTION INCLUDING POSSIBLE SUSPENSION FOR
THE REMAINDER OF THE SEASON. DISCIPLINE WILL BE DECIDED BY THE
HEARING BOARD AS PROVIDED FOR IN THE BY-LAWS.
21. If the Frankfort Square Park District Lightning Alarm system goes off all players, coaches, and fans must leave the fields immediately and leave the park district property. Site specific rules are:
- Union Creek 1-4. All parties must leave the fields and cross the bridge to the parking lot behind Hilda Walker until the all clear sounds (3 short blasts from the lightning warning system)
- All other fields. All parties must leave the fields and wait in the parking lot until the all clear sounds (3 short blasts from the lightning warning system)
- It is HIGHLY recommended that all persons wait in their cars until the all clear is given
All managers, coaches, umpires, or board members have the right to delay / cancel any game if lightning and or thunder is observed even if the lightning detection system does not go off.
22.Bat Rules for In-house teams:
BPF - "Bat Performance Factor". A measure of a non-wood bat's performance relative to
wood bats. A BPF of 1.15 means that bat will perform at a rate of 115% to a similar-sized
wood bat.
PINTO/MUSTANG DIVISIONS 8's/9's & 10's
•No bats shall be more than two and five-eighths in diameter at the barrel.
•Non-wood bats which are manufactured to achieve a Bat Performance Factor (BPF) of 1.15
or less through the life of the bat are approved for play in FSBL. A BPF stamp of 1.15 or less should be on the bat.
BRONCO DIVISION 11's & 12's
• Same rules as 8's /9's and 10s.
• If game is played on a Little League field (60 foot bases), then only bats with a 2 1/4 barrel dimension can be used.
PONY In-house Rules Same rules as 8's /9's and 10's above, except a drop cannot be greater than a (-10) length to weight drop differential.
If an illegal bat is used during game play and,
1. Detected before batter enters box or during at bat, warning issued and bat is changed with no penalty.
2.Detected after ball is in play and before the next batter bats the batter is out and runners return to original bases if advanced. Warning is issued and bat is removed from dugout to prevent use again.
23.Before the start of each season, playoff brackets (where applicable) will be shared with managers and posted on fsbl.net with information on how pool play will work following the regular season.
24. The Mercy "Slaughter" rule applies to Pinto, Mustang, Bronco, and Pony divisions where the score is kept. The rule is if a team is up by 15 runs in the 4th inning or 10 runs in the 5th inning, the game is over.
