2016 INTER CITY PONY LEAGUE (IPL) RULES

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1 SECTION DESCRIPTION Governing Rules Last Date Updated: Annual Rules Review 13U-14U KVBSA, USSSA & AABC Governed by Major League Baseball Rules 3/18/2016 These rules will be reviewed, updated and approved by the Pony Directors from the member communities on an annual basis. The Pony Directors involved in this rules approval process should be the same individuals who will be responsible for Pony team operations in the future season. If a community cannot provide a Pony Director for the future season the voting rights on IPL rules will go to the President of the member communities' youth baseball organization or his delegate. Any rules changes will be agreed upon by a simple majority vote. In the event of a tie the deciding vote will be made by the Pony director with the longest tenure within his youth baseball organization. All rules changes must be adopted before the final game schedule is published on April 15th each year Northville - Mike Shaw mshaw070901@gmail.com Novi - John Toloff jtoloff@mi.rr.com South Lyon - Bob (Guido) McLaren rmclaren33@gmail.com Lakes - Mike Goff mgoff@destaco.com Plym/Canton - Jeff Holt jeffreyholt2010@hotmail.com Van Buren - Marc Littleson marclittleson@yahoo.com League Format Member teams will play a varying number of intercity games Member IPL teams will play a verying number of games against the teams from the other member communities. Home and away games for the intercity games will be based on field availability and the opponents' game schedule, but an effort shall be made for each team to play half the games on home fields and half the games on away fields in IPL play No interleague games are planned May 27 - May 30, during the Memorial Day holiday weekend. No interleague games are planned June 30 - July 5, during the Independence Day holiday weekend. 1 of 10 pages

2 1.2.4 A one-day intercity "All-Star" tournament will be attempted to be scheduled - date in June to be determined. 1 team from each member community shall participate. An "All-Star" format shall apply to each team sent to the tournament. IPL teams may use any criteria they wish to assemble their "All-Star" teams. The tournament shall consist of quarter/semi-final games and a final game. The quarter/semi final pairings shall be determined by random draw A coin flip will determine the home teams during the intercity "All-Star" Tournament Game Scheduling Any incremental costs associated with conducting the IPL "All-Star" Tournament will be shared equally among the four teams involved. After each member community determines their own community schedule, each member will supply the IPL Scheduling Coordinator with these schedules, as well as available play dates and field availability. The IPL will produce a master schedule of all games to be played across the IPL. Any proposed changes should be sent to the attention of the IPL Scheduling Coordinator. For the 2016 season, the IPL Scheduling Coordinator will be John Toloff from Novi. John will be responsible for maintaining the league schedule Final Game Scheduling Deadline The IPL's final game schedule should be published to all member communities' Pony Directors no later than April 15th of each year Rescheduling Games RAIN OUTS: Any game rained out or rescheduled for any reason should be communicated by the HOME TEAM head coach to the IPL Scheduling Coordinator. This notification should be done within 24 hours after the decision has been made not to play the game on the scheduled date and time. The IPL Scheduling coordinator will attempt to reschedule the rained out game RESCHEDULING FOR ANY OTHER REASON: A 24 hour notification period is needed if a game is to be switched due to any issue other than a rain out. Switching a game or field from a posted schedule must be communicated by phone or to the coaches and directors involved in the game to be rescheduled. Please refer to the Coaches' Directory for all contact information. 2 of 10 pages

3 As a courtesy to visiting teams the HOME TEAM head coach will be responsible to provide direct notification of any game day decisions that may affect game date, time, location or field conditions. Please refer to the Coaches' Directory for all contact information Northville Rain Out contact info to be provided Game Time Decisions Affecting Scheduling (Novi) Weekday games played on Novi fields follow a procedure whereby Novi Parks & Rec may determine whether a game will be played. Game day decisions are recorded on the Weather Hotline number at 4:30pm. Please call before leaving for a Novi ball field if the weather appears to be bad conditions for safe baseball play. Plymouth/Canton Rain Out contact info to be provided Lakes Rain Out contact info to be provided South Lyon Rain Out contact info to be provided Standings Standings will not be kept for Intercity games, and the results of Intercity games will have no bearing on member community standings withing their own community standings Scores Each team will provide the official game score keeper and maintain their own score sheet. 3 of 10 pages

4 1.6 Age Limit The IPL is a Pony Level League with players qualifying as a maximum age level of 14u. Age level is determined by the players age on May 1st of the regular playing season. 1.7 It is the responsibility of the HOME TEAM head coach to schedule umpires for the game. Umpires The HOME Team will pay all umpire fees for games played at their home fields. 2.0 GAME 2.1 Minimum # of Players All IPL games must begin and end with eight (8) defensive players regardless of reason for absent players. If the number of defensive players available is less than eight, the teams may loan each other additional players in order to play the game # of Innings Played for Regulation Game 7 innings Extra innings can be played if (a) the score is tied at the end of a regulation game and (b) the time limits for a game have not been reached innings (3-1/2 innings if home team is winning) Complete Game Or determined by time limit. If a game cannot be completed prior to qualifying as a complete game it will be considered a suspended game. League directors must be notified of a suspended game promptly, so the game can be rescheduled. When resumed, a suspended game will be played as a make up game. No record will be used from the suspended game previously played hours Game Time Limit New inning can not begin after time limit. New inning begins immediately after third out of the previous inning. During weather delays, the clock is suspended until play restarts. 4 of 10 pages

5 2.4.3 Under no circumstances will game play take place after 10:30pm. In the event that a night game is still underway at 10:30pm the game will be stopped by the head umpire at 10:30pm and the final score recorded as the score at the time of the last full inning played Suspending play due to lightning and weather-related incidents will be governed by the home team's community rules. If a community does not have defined rules, the NFHS rules are in effect. NFHS rules call for a 30 minute suspension of play when lightning is seen or thunder is heard. Any subsequent lightning strikes or thunder after the beginning of the 30-minute count should reset the clock and another count should begin. Weather If a game is called due to weather or darkness prior to the time limit and the required innings for a complete game have not been played, the makeup game is restarted from the beginning of the game. If a game that has qualified as a complete game is called before an inning is completed, the score reverts to the score at the end of the last complete inning played and will be recorded as the final score of the game Mercy Rule Maximum Runs/Inning Tie games allowed 12 runs after 5 complete innings or 4.5 innings if the home team is winning. The team in the lead shall be declared the winner. 6 runs maximum per inning during innings 1-6. No run limit after the 6th inning. Yes Extra innings may be played if time limit allows. Complete games ending in a tie prior to time limit due to inclement weather or darkness may reschedule for completion if both coaches agree 2.90 Ejections or Lack of Umpires Both teams' head coaches are responsible for reporting ejections and lack of umpires to their respective Pony Division Directors. 3.0 PITCHING 3.1 Balk Warnings One (1) Warning Per Pitcher Per Game Fake to 3B Throw to 1B Hit Batter Limitation A balk will be called For all IPL games a maximum of 3 hit batters per pitcher per game can occur. Pitcher is removed from the pitching position immediately after 3rd hit batter. Player may remain in game unless determined to be intentional per umpire discretion. The pitcher may be ejected if umpire determines that any hit batter was intentional. 5 of 10 pages

6 Maximum Number of Innings Pitched Four Innings Per Pitcher Per Game. Throwing one pitch constitutes an inning pitched. In the event of a double header, pitchers shall pitch a maximum of 4 innings in a 24 hour period. Once a pitcher is removed from pitching, he/she can not pitch again in current game. 3.6 Pitchers are required to have 36 hours of rest after pitching 4 innings in a single game. 3.7 Pitching Logs 3.8 Automatic Walks 4.0 BASE RUNNING Pitching Logs must be kept by the member team's head coach and may be reviewed by opposing teams, league officials or umpires upon request. Automatic walks are allowed - no pitches will be required. If a pitcher wishes to automatic walk a batter he must inform the home plate umpire of this decision instead of taking the mound to pitch to that batter. 4.1 "Legal" Sliding "Legal " sliding shall be defined as: sliding, attempting to avoid contact, or the base runner giving themselves up. "Legal" sliding is mandatory on ALL close plays. If there is significant contact between the runner and the fielder, and the runner did not attempt to "Legal" slide, he shall be automatically called out. If he does not legal slide, the team shall be given a warning, and the next time it occurs with the same runner, the runner is out. Ejection of the runner is the umpire's discretion if malicious intent is determined. 4.2 Lead-off Yes 4.3 Stealing Yes 4.4 Stealing Home No limitation 4.5 Legal Sliding A legal slide can be either feet first or head first. If a runner slides feet first, at least one leg and buttock shall be on the ground. If a runner slides, he must slide within reach of the base with either a hand or a foot. 6 of 10 pages

7 4.6 Illegal Slide A slide is illegal if: a. the runner uses a rolling, cross-body or pop-up slide into the fielder, or b. the runner s raised leg is higher than the fielder s knee when the fielder is in a standing position, or c. the runner goes beyond the base and then makes contact with or alters the play of the fielder, or d. the runner slashes or kicks the fielder with either leg, or e. the runner tries to injure the fielder, or f. the runner, on a force play, does not slide on the ground and in a direct line between the two bases BATTING Dropped 3rd Strike Rule Applies? Infield Fly Rule Applies? Exception: A runner may slide or run in a direction away from the fielder to avoid making contact or altering the play of the fielder. Yes Yes One warning per batter per game Thrown Bats Upon second thrown bat the batter is declared out and any base runners must return to their base positions held before batter threw bat. Upon third thrown bat the batter is ejected ROSTER / PLAYERS 6.1 Minimum/ Maximum # of Hitters in Line-up 6.2 If at any time the thrown bat strikes a fielder or the umpire, the umpire has the latitude to call the batter out at the conclusion of the play. All uniformed players will hit in the order as documented on the batting order submitted by that team's coach to the official score keeper at the start of the game regardless of fielding or bench placement. Continuous batting order for 14U and younger Minimum Defensive Playing Time Every player must play a defensive position a minimum of 2 innings by the 4th inning and 3 innings by the 7th inning. No player may sit 2 consecutive innings unless ill, injured or by exception as described below. EXCEPTION: A coach may disregard this rule if the player involved is ( a ) being punished for disciplinary reasons, ( b ) is ill and cannot return to the game or ( c ) is injured and cannot return to the game. The coach must inform the head umpire and opposing coach of the disposition of the player involved. 6.4 Defensive Substitutions Coaches are free to make defensive substitutions with all defensive positions except Pitchers. 7 of 10 pages

8 6.5 4 th Outfielder Not Applicable 6.6 Late Players In the event that less than seven (7) players are available at game time, a fifteen (15) - minute grace period is allowed from game time for a 7th player to arrive and enter the game. If seven (7) players are available at game time, the game must begin with those players available. In the Pony division continuous batting order any players arriving after the start of the game are to be inserted at the bottom of the batting order. 6.7 Absent Without Injury or Illness If a player is a hitter in the batting order, this position will be declared an out should this player become absent during the game for a reason other than injury or illness. Another player may replace the absent player defensively but may not hit in the absent player s position in the line-up. A team must play with a minimum of seven (7) defensive players to complete the game. 6.8 Absent with Injury or Illness If a player is removed from a game due to injury or illness, his/her position in the batting order will be skipped without penalty with no out recorded. The ill / injured player will not have his at-bat recorded and the next hitter in the batting order will become the next at bat with a count of zero balls and zero strikes. The injured / ill player may re-enter the game if their position in the batting order has been skipped. The injured / ill player may reenter the game and he will be placed in his original spot in the batting order. A team must play with a minimum of seven (7) defensive players to complete the game. In the Pony Division continuous batting order, if a batter is injured and unable to complete the atbat, the at-bat is skipped without penalty. 6.9 Substitute Players If a coach knows ahead of time that his team will be short on players for a game, the coach may substitute a maximum of 2 players from another team from their home league provided that ( a ) the players do not have a game scheduled with their proper team, ( b ) the players wear their original team's uniform, ( c ) play only outfield defensive positions and ( d ) bat at the bottom of the batting order. 7.0 EQUIPMENT Bats should not exceed the 1.15 BPF (Bat Performance Factor) as defined for baseball bats by ASTM Standards. Bats must have the 1.15 BPF mark easily visible on the bat to be legal. 7.1 Big barrel bats (diameters of 2-5/8" or 2-3/4") must have the USSSA 1.15 BPF mark. Older big barrel bats will not be allowed. Small barrel bats (diameter of 2-1/2") must have the USSSA 1.15 BPF mark as well. Bat Restrictions: Also, BBCOR-certified and solid (one-piece) wood bats are legal. 8 of 10 pages

9 7.2 Team managers will be responsible for enforcing bat rules. Prior to the start of play, the manager from each team should identify which bats are legal and remove from the dugout any bat identified as illegal Spikes/Shoes If a player steps into the batter's box and is found to be using an illegal bat, that bat will be removed from play at that point, the player will be issued a warning and play will continue. If that bat is used again during the game, the player will be ejected and a subsequent out recorded for their spot in the batting order for the remainder of the game. Rubber or Plastic Cleats are preferred, metal spikes will be allowed, 7.5 Game Balls Each team is responsible for providing one new game ball at each game. If both new game balls are hit out of play and are not recoverable the HOME TEAM is responsible for providing enough game balls to complete the game ACTIONS TO SPEED UP GAME PLAY Courtesy Runner for Pitcher and/or Catcher At the offensive coaches option, a catcher or pitcher on the base paths may be replaced anytime during the inning, the courtesy runner is to be the last recorded out by a player other than the pitcher or the catcher. For purposes of this rule, the position of pitcher or catcher is determined by the player's position in the previous defensive half inning. The courtesy runner is the player that made the previous out, either batted or on bases. If an improper substitution is made, the correct substitution will be made upon notification of the improper substitution. 9.0 FIELD DIMENSIONS 9.1 Pitching Distance 54' 0" 9.2 Base Distance RULES DISPUTES 10.1 Protests 80' 0" If the field dimensions are found to be incorrect after play has started, corrections to the field should be made at the end of the current inning. League games may not be protested Official complaints may be written to the league directors. The directors will consider appropriate action on complains related to code of conduct and/or rules violations 10.2 Complaints including player eligibility, player participation, pitcher eligibility, etc. Complaints involving umpire decisions should be brought to the attention of the applicable league Director of Umpires for their prompt consideration GENERAL AGREEMENTS 11.1 Weekday Game Times Weekday games will begin at 6:00pm prior to June 1st and 6:30pm after June 1st Field Availability The visiting team will have access to a warm-up area 30 minutes prior to game time. 9 of 10 pages

10 11.3 Dugout Assignments Home teams will utilize the dugout / bench on the 3rd base side of the ball field. The visiting team will utilize the dugout / bench on the 1st base side of the ball field All ball/strike and judgment calls made by an umpire are final and will not be disputed. Head coaches may, however, ask for clarification of a call or calmly discuss the interpretation of a rule. Coaches from BOTH teams should speak to the umpire TOGETHER, not separately, for such clarificatoins. The intent is for sportsmanlike conduct to prevail. ANY HEATED ARGUING SHALL NOT BE TOLERATED Umpire Interaction Special Note: Umpires in Novi will be enforcing a zero tolerance policy for umpire interaction. Questionable calls can be discussed calmly between innings with both head coaches present. Umpires will reserve the right to eject any player, parent or coach who the umpire deems is acting in an unsportsmanlike manner such that it is causing a disruption to the game. Failure of the ejected person to leave the ball field area in a reasonable amount of time will result in a warning by the umpire to the offending team's coaching staff. If the ejected individual still does not leave the ball field the umpire may, at his discretion, stop the game and declare a forfeit. The game will be recorded as a 1-0 victory for the team not involved in the ejection. 10 of 10 pages