Post Season Umpire Resources
Attention Federation Umpires working Pony Post Season tournaments (you should read this):
The following are PONY rules and guidance that you should be aware of when working your games.
Always refer to your latest version of PONY Rules before the game.
Understand all substitution rules. Pitcher may not re-enter to the mound once they have been removed. If that happens, let it happen. It is up to the other team to bring it to your attention and ask for an appeal. Once the appeal is made you must enforce the penalty: the pitcher and head coach are ejected.
All substitutions should be noted in the order of their substitution request. This becomes very important should a replacement be needed later in the game for an injury. The last substitution in the game is first replacement used for Injury/Illness/Ejection.
All protests are handled by the Tournament Directors (TD). There are no post game protests allowed during the tournament.
Penalty for the use of an ineligible player shall be the immediate removal of both the player and the manager from the game.
Pitchers reaching their maximum number of pitches in a day while pitching to a batter, may finish pitching to that batter before being removed. All pitchers become eligible at each level of tournament play, provided they have the rest (see pitching chart).
The 10-run rule applies for all divisions except Shetland. If one team is leading after 5 complete innings the game shall be called.
Illegal bat (before the pitch) bat may be removed; batter is called out and head coach is ejected.
Wooden, metal, graphite or ceramic bats manufactured for baseball play, which are round and not more than two and five-eighths inches in diameter at the thickest part, not more than 42 inches in length, are acceptable. No bat shall be used if dented, cracked, modified or misshaped. The bat’s knob may be solid or hollowed to house an embedded metric sensor. If a sensor is used, it shall (1) not affect performance; (2) be secured by a locking mechanism and a back-up mechanism to keep it in place; and (3) have a distinguishing “off-line” mode to prevent data from being accessed during a game. (See sections 1 thru 6)
Penalty for use of an illegal bat after being checked or tested (See PONY rules section 18 (7):
If detected before the first pitch of an at-bat, the bat shall be removed form the game. An out is NOT recorded and a substitute batter shall complete the time at bat. The manager and violating player shall be removed from the game.
If detected after the first pitch (whether swung on or not) the batter is declared out and base runner shall not advance. Manager and violating player shall be removed from game.
If detected after a ball is hit, the batter is out and base runner shall return to their original base prior to the hit. Manager and violating player are removed from game.
Call, email, or text your partner at least 24 hours before game time. Confirm where you’ll be parking and what time you’ll be at the lot. If your partner does not arrive within 30 minutes from game time you should give them a call. If you don’t get a reply contact Steve, then me.
This time of year impressions mean a lot–make sure you clean and press your uniforms before game time.
You can wash your Federation caps (by hand), or through the dishwasher. Give your cap plenty of time to air dry–get all the dirt and sweat stains out now. Make it look new.
Make sure your shoes are shined and your laces are ready to go (keep a back-up just in case). After every game, you should make it a point to clean off the game you just did–when you have time.
Make sure your equipment is ready and working properly.
You should always have a pregame with your partner–make it a point to go over the basics; your experience on the field of play; the level of play; weather conditions; etc.
Make sure that you hydrate before, during, and after the game.
Make sure that you stretch before the game–this time of year can bring some nagging injuries that may last longer than you’d like.
Be prepared to have a formal plate meeting (check in with your TD before the game to confirm the time they’d like you at the plate meeting).
When the game starts you and your partner are in charge of the game.
When you’re at the game site you should always rely on the TD to offer you the best guidance on a situation before the game. During the game consult with your partner–make a decision that’s best for you, your partner, and the game–if you need some additional input ask the TD–ultimately it’s your decision.
I’m sure you all know that post season baseball can be some of the best baseball you’ll see all year. The crowds are bigger and the wins mean more. Make sure you and your partner(s) have a great time this post season and have some fun on the field!