2012 PONY BASEBALL BAT RULES - Interpretations

It is important to read and interpret each rule unto itself!

PONY RULE 8-C: Defines material and maximum dimensions.
Wooden, metal, graphite or ceramic bats... round not more than 2 5/8" in diameter, not more than 42" in length.

PONY RULE 8-C (1): Defines tee ball and coach pitch bats.
Bats manufactured specifically for use in tee ball play, shall not be used when the ball is pitched by a player, coach or pitching machine. Coach pitch bats will only be used in coach-pitch using a safety ball.

PONY RULE 8-C (2): Defines 2 1/4" barrel bats.
2 1/4" barrel bats are legal in all divisions of PONY Baseball. They must have a Bat Performance Factor (BPF) of 1.15 or less stamped on the bat. In addition the bat must be stamped "approved for play in PONY Baseball."  (on newly manufactured bats starting in 2012). There will be other youth organizations stamped on the bat including: AABC, Babe Ruth, Dixie, Little League, etc.

PONY RULE 8-C (2): Defines 2 5/8" barrel bats.
2 5/8 " barrel bats are legal in all divisions of PONY Baseball. If the 2 5/8" bat is a -3 it must be BBCOR certified (stamped on the bat). Currently there is no testing protocol required for the -5,-7, -9, etc. THEY ARE LEGAL.  NO 2 3/4" BARREL BATS WILL BE ALLOWED IN PONY BASEBALL.

Penalty for use of an illegal bat (Pony Rules):
(a) If detected before the first pitch of an at-bat, the bat shall be removed from the game. The batter is not out and is required to use a bat that conforms to bat regulations. The Manager of the team shall be warned and will be removed from the game on a second occurrence.

(b) If detected after the first pitch (whether the pitch is swung at or not) the batter is declared out and base runners shall not advance. The Manager of the team shall be removed from the game and may be suspended for the next scheduled game.

(c) If detected after a ball is hit, the batter is out and base runners shall return to their original base prior to the hit. The Manager of the team shall be removed from the game and may be suspended for the next scheduled game.

Nations Baseball Rules (Open League Games and Tournaments) -- The following bat rule is in effect at all Nations Events in the Houston/South Texas area.

1. In ages 14U and below, bats with the new BPF 1.15 stamp (on the transition area between the barrel and handle) are legal, regardless of weight and composition.

2. Bats with the old Little League approved stamp (2 ¼" barrel, no composite) on the barrel under the manufacturers model name, will be legal until July 31, 2012.

3. In 14U, bats must either be a BPF 1.15 -5 bat OR a BBCOR bat (BESR -3 bats are not legal).

4. 15U and above must use a NFHS (high school) legal BBCOR bat.

Penalty  (Nations Rules) – The bat will be removed from the playing field by the umpire and the manager of the team will be warned against further use. If the illegal bat is discovered after the end of the play, and the play results in the batter/runner safely reaching first base, the batter/runner will be declared out and all runners must return to the last base legally occupied prior to the play. No run may score on this play. Any out that results on the play will stand. On a second offense, the above penalties will apply and the manager of the offending team will be removed from the field and will be prohibited from managing for the remainder of the game. A batter using an altered bat is declared out, and all runners return to the base occupied at the time of the pitch. A batter is deemed to have used or attempted to use an illegal bat if the player brings such a bat into the batter’s box. Any out or outs made during the play stand.