TRI
COUNTY PONY LEAGUE
CONSTITUTION &
BY-LAWS
NORTH BRANCH
VOLUME XXI March
20, 2012
ARTICLE I- Name and Purpose
Section I. Tri-County Pony League
Section II. The purpose shall be to promote
baseball for youth and teach
fundamentals and sportsmanship.
Section III. It shall be the policy of this league
that no person shall be
denied the opportunity to participate due to his family’s
economic hardships.
Section IV. All correspondences to the League should be done by email
rockcreekball@aol.com ONLY Phone in an EMERGENCY
Sections V. There are No
Complaints to be addressed to the League concerning
Rules or Umpires, that should be handled on the Field.
ANY COMPLAINT WILL COST $50 a complaint.
ARTICLE II- Executive Committee
Section I. The Executive Committee
shall consist of (5) five members. This
body will be made up of 4) four current officers and the advisor.
Section II. The Executive Committee shall
conduct general business, fill
vacancies, and determine criteria to be discussed at the board
meetings.
Section III. The Executive Committee shall be
responsible annually for
presenting a p roposed budget and for the approval at board
meetings before the playing season begins.
ARTICLE III- Officers
1.
Officers shall serve as board members and vote on all policies of
the league.
2.
Officers will not vote on any policies concerning their teams.
Section I. President
A. The duties shall be to conduct all business at the
board
meetings and Executive Committee meetings.
B. The President is Tri County Pony League’s representative
to
the public.
C. The President is allowed to manage and or coach a
team.
D. The President will vote on all policies of the league.
E. The League President shall be paid from the league funds Six
($6.00) Per Team.(and or League Secretary)
Section II. Vice President
A. The Vice President will assist in conducting all
board meetings.
B. The Vice President will assume all Presidential duties
in the
event that the
President is unable to participate.
C. The Vice President will be a representative on the
Executive
Committee in the event the President or an Ex-Officer is unable
to attend.
D. The Vice President will vote on all policies of the
league.
Section III. Secretary
A. The Secretary shall record all proceedings of every
Board
Meeting.
B. The Secretary shall type notes and make copies to
be distributed
at the next meeting.
C. The Secretary shall purchase hats for All-Star game
and medals
for all participants.
D. The Secretary will vote on all policies of the league.
E. The League Secretary shall be paid from the league funds Six
($6.00) Per Team.(and/or League President)
Section IV. Treasurer
A. The Treasurer shall receive all monies and pay all
bills upon
approval of the
board.
B. The Treasurer shall keep an itemized account of all
receipts and
disbursements,and present a written report at each meeting of
the board.
C. The Treasurer’s book will be audited upon request
of the board.
D. The Treasurer shall buy trophies, medals, certificates
or
ribbons for All-Star Game and 1st place Team in divisions, and
1st, 2nd, 3rd, & 4th places individuals for end of season
tournament.
E. The Treasurer will vote on all policies of the league.
Section V. Advisor
A. The Advisor shall assist by guiding the committee
and offering
input where needed.
B. The Advisor shall be called upon to interpret rules
on appeals
filed with the league.
C. The Advisor will vote on all policies of the league.
Section VI. Managers
A. Managers shall assume responsibility for equipment
and uniforms.
This includes collection of uniforms at the end of the season.
The manager shall maintain upkeep of the equipment.
B. Managers shall not negotiate changing game dates
or times with
other managers or umpires without permission of the schedule
coordinator. Failure to comply will risk forfeiture.
C. Managers shall serve as board members and vote on
all policies
of the league.
Section VII. Umpire/Rule Books
A. The Official Rules of Baseball MLB are the guidelines
to be
followed.
B. Pony League Baseball Rules shall override where applicable.
C. 1st use Tri-County Pony League Rules, then USSSA Baseball, then
MLB.
D. Any amendments to either of these, passed by the
board, will
overrule the above.(Umpire must
be 16 yrs old or older)
ARTICLE IV- Meetings
Section I. Regular board meetings
will be announced with at least (1) one week
notice on website www.rockcreeball.com
Section II. Special meetings may be called
by the President or by (7) seven
board members and another officer.
Section III. All committees are urged to hold
meetings to discuss matters that
they need to bring before the board.
ARTICLE V- Quorum
Section I. Majority by show of hands.
ARTICLE VI- Amendments
Section I. This constitution may be
amended at any board meeting by a 3/4
majority of those present.
ARTICLE
VII- Revenues & Expenditures
Section I. Monies used to operate
this organization shall come from:
A. Entry fees (paid by each competing team)
B. Donations
C. Fundraiser's
D. Concessions
Section II. Individual teams will provide
and supply proof of insurance to the
league President, along with a map to each teams field.
Section III. League shall provide trophies, medals,
certificates or ribbons as
designated from the general fund.
Section IV. A quorum of the board shall
be necessary to approve disbursements
exceeding twenty-five dollars. ($25.00)
Section V. Entry fee of $275.00 in 2011 is to be paid before the season
begins. Fees will be established annually to accommodate for yearly
expenditures.
ARTICLE VIII- Boundaries
Section I. Eastern boundary shall
vary along Rt. 47 only to include the School
District of Kaneland.
Section II. North boundary shall be Rt.
38 to include the School District of
Kaneland.
Section III. Western boundary shall vary from
the School District of Earlville
and Leland, which will include Malta
Section IV. Southern boundary shall vary
along Rt. 52 only to include the
entire School Districts of Serena, Sheridan, and Newark.
ARTICLE IX- League
Section I. League shall be divided
into divisions if:
A. More than (6) but less than (14) team shall be divided
into (2)
divisions.
B. If more than (14) teams but less than (20) , shall
be divided
into (3) divisions.
C. If more than (20) but less than (28), shall be divided
into (4)
divisions.
D. The number of divisions can be changed other than
stated by a
majority of the vote before the season starts.
E. For the year 2011,
will consist of(1)division of
11 teams (no
division less than 6 teams). All teams will play each other
twice (20 games).
2011 Season
Plano #1 Plano #2
Sandwich #1 Sandwich #2 (Host an AS Game)
HBR Earlville
Serena Waterman
Lisbon Somonauk
Leland (Host an AS Game)
Section II. Any new town or organization,
which wants to enter the Tri County
Pony League, shall come to a meeting and ask to join the league.
A. There will be a vote of the existing teams at the
meeting, with
a majority vote winning.
B. All new teams must follow the Tri County by-laws
and rules to
part of the league.
C. New towns joining the league shall pay an extra ($25.00).
ARTICLE X- All-Star Game
Section
I. Site shall rotate between
1. Sandwich (2011) 9. Newark(2006)declined in 2011
2. Leland (2011) 10. Earlville
3. Hinckley-Big Rock (2012)* 11. Harding
4. Waterman (2008) 12. Paw Paw
5. Plano (2009) 13. Sheridan (2000)
6. Serena (2010) 14. Shabbona (2004)
7. Lisbon
15. Yorkville
8. Somonauk(2003)declined in 2011 16. Sugar Grove
*Projected host for that year
Section II. In the event a team is unable
to host a game, the site shall be
moved to the next town, with the rotation order remaining the same.
Section III. Any new towns joining the league:
A. Would
be placed in the last position, which is (17th) position.
Hinckley-Big Rock would
host for 2012.
Section IV. The game shall be held on the
Fourth of July, or a date selected
at the first meeting.
A. If weather causes a postponement of the game, it
shall be
rescheduled on the first Sunday following the Fourth of July.
1. If the 4th of July falls on a Sunday,
game shall be played on
the following Sunday.
B. In the Year 2011 Sunday
July 10, 2011 at Sandwich and Leland
(Skills and Drills start at TBD pm with game to follow.
Expect approximately 4 hours total.)
C. Each team will select 4 players from there team to
represent
them at the All-Star Game These players’ names must be turned
into the League Office by June 30th. Divisions subject to
change. In the year 2011 we will have 2 All-Star games even
though we only have 1 division. We will have 4 players per team
participate. The team who finishes with the top seed will take
6 players to the All-Star game a long with the team paired up
with them. So, All-Star Game 1 would be 3 teams vs. 3 teams,
each team taking 4 players (12 players per team). All-Star
Game 2 would be 3 teams (4 players each) vs. 2 teams (1 of which
is the top seeded team, both teams taking 6 players to the
All-Star Game), (12 players per team).
All Star #1
All Star #2
All Star #3 All Star #4
(12
Players) (12 Players)
(12 Players) (12
Players)
D. Every player must play at least (3) innings.
1. No pitcher shall be allowed to
pitch more than (2) innings.
2. Pitchers innings apply to the week’s
total innings. Except
for playoff games
Section V. The game shall be (7) innings
in length.
A. The game shall be (9) innings in length if there
are more than
(18) players per team.
Section VI. The host town will be responsible
for providing:
A. Umpires (Patched Umpires are preferred)League will
reimburse
$55 a game (one umpire a game).
B. Field in proper condition.
C. Advance Public Notice.
ARTICLE
XI- Schedule
Section I. Schedule shall be compiled
by the schedule coordinator.
Section II. Schedule should have:
A. Play in division to play each team twice. Once at
home and once
away.
B. Out of the division play each team once divided equally
between
home and away.
C. If (2) divisions, shall play each team once.
D.
In 2011 each team will be scheduled a minimum 20 division games
(1 division) and will determine the division champ. If 10 teams
in a division you may be scheduled 18 games. (12 Games must be
played to win Division)(All Division game must be Played to be
the Division Champion (In 2011, at least 16 games must be played
to be the division champion), as long as each team plays at
least 12 division games it is eligible for seeding in the end of
season tournament.
E. Teams can select how many more games, if any, they
wish to play.
They will be scheduled against other teams who wish to play more
games from either division.
Section III. All scheduled games must be played
when scheduled.
A. Unless prohibited by weather conditions.
B. Unless permission to re-schedule is granted by schedule
coordinator.
C. Violations will be considered a forfeit and dealt
with by the
league office.
1. If violation repeats, disciplinary
action could result.
Section IV. All evening games shall begin:
A. At 6:00pm unless noted on schedule
B. Some night games are scheduled for 8:00pm start time
1. 6:00pm games followed by an 8:00pm game should not
start an
inning after 7:50pm
2. Teams that play at 8:00pm please take batting and
fielding
before your team arrives.
3. 8:00pm games shall start 15 minutes after 6:00pm
game ends
4. No inning shall start after 10:00pm on 8:00pm games.
The Umpire and each manager should write down the official
Start time of the game, and the offical end time, before the
game begins, so everyone is aware of the ending time of the
game.
C. Saturday and Sunday games are to begin at 10:00am
unless
otherwise noted.
D. No inning is allowed to begin after 8:00pm. An inning
begins
when the third out of the previous inning is registered.
E. (2-hour limit all games
with Double Headers) including Saturday
games. 2-hour limit not to be exceeded, Please hustle in an
hustle out no stall tactics - *(If a manager goes to the mound
for charge conference when there is less then 15 minutes left in
the time limit and his team is ahead with runs, for every trip
to the mound will result in 5 minutes being added to the offical
end time of the game.)** Playoff games have time limit of 2
Hours except the 1st Place Game.
(No ten rule in Championship Game)
F. Tie games are considered suspended games. They must
be concluded
from the point
where the play stopped.
G. All teams must complete the schedule regardless of
position in
standings.
H. Home team to supply (2) new official Pony League
approved
baseballs for the
game.
I. If the game balls are lost, then use the best available
ball to
be submitted.
ARTICLE XII- Team Structure
Section I. Each participating town shall have a pool of players who register
with their organization. Each organization shall offer open
registration to their respected school district, for which the
organization belongs to. They shall accept and use every legal
registration.
A. Teams shall divide into(2)or more teams when the
registered
players is divisible by(12).
1. Each organization shall use their
own rules in governing the
division of
the teams by either of the following:
a) Blind
draft
b) Regular
draft
c) Balance
of Power (Equalize)
2. Each team shall be as equal as
possible (granted in a blind
draft all skilled
players could end up on the same team)
a) NO HAND
PICKED TEAMS
b) No team
shall hold tryouts and cut players.
3. Returning players from the previous
year may stay on the same
team as long as they live in the school district of the
organization.
4. Player(s) who live(s) in a town’s
school district that does
not offer Traveling Boys Pony League my participate in an
adjacent town’s program provided
that,
a) The player(s)
has (have) been approved by the league
officers.
b) And also
by a majority of the coaches within the league.
Section II. Each team will consist of (20)
players maximum to (9) minimum.
A. Program will be allowed to bat (15) players in a
continuous
batting order, with free substitution in defensive positions
only. Batting order must remain
the same.
1. If a team has more than (15) players,
the extra players
should be substituted into the batting order. (see
substitution rule)
2. Teams have the option to bat their
(15) players or bat as
many players as the opposing team has in their line-up &
substitute the rest of the players into the line-up (see
substitution rule)
a) Any
players dressed at the game and not in the batting
line-up must be substituted into the line-up for at
least (2) innings of defense.(Only if they are not in
the batting order)
B. Minimum number for fielding a team.
1. Team must field at least (7) players
by 10 minutes after game
is scheduled to start or umpire shall declare the game a
forfeit in favor of
team with enough players to play.
2. If neither team can field (7) players,
both teams will be
charged a
loss.
3. If a team plays with less than
(9) players
a) Empty spots in
the batting order must be declared when
turning in the line-up and every time they come around an
automatic out is charged.
b) If a player arrives
late, he is allowed to enter the game
immediately.
Section III. Each team must turn in a roster with birth dates and uniform numbers
to League Office before April 15, 2012. In 2012, the season begins
May 1. Sent in by email.
A. Only roster players of proper age are allowed to participate in
the game.
1. 14 & under league (12-14 year olds)
2. Must be no older than
14 as of May 1st, 2012.
a) Players older than 14 as of May 1st, 2012 are still
eligible if they are still in 8th grade.
3. In U.S.S.S.A. Tournaments the age is 14
years old and under
4. Pony National Tournament has a 13 only
and a 14 only
tournament.
B. Players may be added to or removed from rosters by
notifying the
league office and waiting for approval. There could be up to one
week delay while
contacting officers.
C. Failure to comply will result in a forfeiture if
both teams
knowingly violate a rule, Article XII- Section II, A, each team
will be charged a forfeit.
D. If offense occurs more than once, officers will review
them and
could result in disciplinary action.
ARTICLE XIII- Equipment
Section I. Shall be as outlined in
the U.S.S.S.A. Rules and Regulations.
We will not be joining any affiliate this year, every team that
wants to play in their tournament must register themselves
Section II. Noting the following exceptions.
A. Steel spikes will not be allowed.
1. If a player is wearing steel
spikes, the player is given the
opportunity to remove them. If the player refuses, the
player shall be barred from the game.
Section III. Bat
Rule
A. All (-3) Bats are legal with 2 5/8" Barrel
** (-3 bats are recommended)
All (-4 to -5) Bats can be up to 33" in Length or under
All (-6 to -9) Bats can be up to 32" in Length or under
All (-10 to -12) Bats must be 28" in Length or Under
All Wood Bats are allowed (but why would you use one?)
All Aluminum Bats with 2 3/4" Barrel Bats are Illegal.
** (Only -3 Bats can be used in High School Play and is why -3
bats are recommended)
ARTICLE XIV- Pitching
Section I. A player may pitch a maximum
of (10) innings per calendar week.
A. Calendar week begins at midnight Sunday and ends at midnight
the next Sunday
B. All innings Pitched for the week count towards each pitcher
including Weekend Tournaments,Practice games and non league
games.
Section II. A pitch to one batter will constitute
one inning.
Section III. If a pitcher pitches more than (3)
innings then the pitcher must
have (40) hours rest from the start of the previous game.
Section IV. Violation of Article XIV- Section
III shall result in forfeiture
of all games that said pitcher has pitched in the week of the
violation.
Section V. If a team has 3 scheduled
games in one week, each pitcher is given
an additional 4 innings.
Section VI. Each Pitcher will be given a warning first, before any balk is
called on them.
Section VII. Once
a Pitcher is removed from the mound, he can not be inserted
into Pitch again, in that game.
ARTICLE XV- Fighting
Section I. First offense- shall result
in a 2 game suspension.
Section II. Second offense- shall result
in suspension from the league.
ARTICLE XVI- Substitution/Injuries/Slide Rule
Section I. Tri County Pony League will use free
substitution.
A. A player removed for a substitute must remain out
of the game
for 6 defensive outs.
1. Player may re-enter game
at any position but must bat in
his original place in the line up, or at a lower position
in the line up.
a) The
only exception being player may not re-enter as a
pitcher
if the player has already pitched in the game.
b) If
there are no eligible substitutes and a player
becomes sick or injured, the last player to leave the
game
shall be placed in the injured player’s position.
c) If
a player is injured during the game and can not
continue to play and there is no substitute, an out
will
not be recorded in that players spot.
d) If
a player is ejected and there are no substitutes,
an out will be recorded.
Section II. Slide rule
A. Base runners must avoid contact. If contact will
be made, the
runner must slide. If the runner fails to slide and avoid
contact, he is out. If the shoulder is dropped and the runner
intentionally runs into the fielder, he is automatically out
and ejected.
ARTICLE
XVII- Ten Run Rule & Complete Game
Section I. Applies after 4 1/2 innings if the
home team is leading, or 5 if
the visiting team is leading.
A. If at this point one team is leading by 10 runs the
game is
complete. It may continue if both teams agree, but the outcome
will not change. Any innings pitched will be charged
for the pitchers weekly totals.
B. A game is complete after 5 innings, or 4 1/2 is home
team is
ahead. If games are less than this because of darkness, rain,
2 hour time limit they will be considered suspended games and
must completed at a later date.
ARTICLE XVIII- Umpires
Section I. The umpire is governed
by the Official Pony League Baseball Rules,
with amendments. An Umpires minimum age requirement is 16 yr old.
Section II. Home team supplies 2 umpires
who are familiar with the rules of
Pony League Baseball.
A. A third umpire is encouraged but the absence
of is not to
delay the game.
B. In 2011, Cindy O'Leary will Schedule 1 Patched Umpire for your
games. (630-552-1218, email: martyol@comcast.net)
Each team is responsible for having a Blank Check in the
amount of $55, to pay umpire at the field. Each team is
responsible of getting a base ump and paying for it.
Mininum age is 16 yr. old. Games will not be held up
because there is no base ump. Please Notify Cindy of any
game changes and game cancellations. If an umpire does not
so up, it is the home teams responsiblity to find someone
to replace him, both coaches must a agree on the replacement.
Section III. If the assigned umpire or umpires
fail to attend the game,
both managers must agree on selection of their replacement.
A. If an agreement can not be reached by the managers
acting
responsibly, they are both to report by phone or in person to
the league office. League office will decide if the game
should be rescheduled. If the game is played,
it is final.
B. Game may begin with only 1 umpire present.
ARTICLE XIX- Standings
Section I. All teams must report
score and pitchers used. Winning team must
report score within 48 hours to receive credit for the win. Not
doing so will result in winning team being credited with a tie.
A. New for 2011, each team is to create a facebook page to post
Report of game(s) played. Report can also be emailed to the
league office.
B. Report shall include for each game:
1. All pitchers
used for both teams and number of innings
pitched.
2.
Final score.
3. Winning and losing
pitchers.
C. Coaches who fail to report pitchers used within 48 hours
of the finish of the game, will be suspended from coaching
the next's team game.(NEW FOR 2009, GOOD FOR 2011)
Section II. League official is keep standings
and publish semi-monthly in the
local paper, by web site. www.rockcreekball.com or
www.reapernation.com (Youth baseball)
Section III. The team with the most wins in the
division shall be declared the
winner of the division.
A. If the weather forces a postponement,
the game must be played
at the first available opportunity.
B. 12 games must be played to determine
division winner.
C. Play-off site for ties in division leaders
to be determined
by:
1. Run differential
from previous games.
a)
If no difference, a coin flip shall determine the
site.
ARTICLE
XX- Post Season Tournament
Section I. All teams are included
in the tournament.
Section II. Winning Percentage, Runs Against and Games Played help determine
the seeding. Seeding is done by board members.
Section III. Team with the best winning percentage
will be seeded the highest.
A. Teams will be seeded by the league officials.
B. 2011 seeds will be Winning Pct. times games Played
C. Games played before June 25 midnight will be counted in the
seeds.
Section IV. Team awarded the highest seed will be paired against the lowest
seed. Second highest seed against second lowest and so forth.
A. Highest seed will be home team for 1st,
2nd, and 3rd rounds.
Section V. Each pitcher is allowed
10 innings of pitching for the 1st & 2nd
round and 7 innings in the 3rd round and 10 innings for semi-
finals and finals.
A. All rest periods for pitchers shall apply
if they pitch more
than 3 innings.
1.
With the exception of the semi finals and finals.
B. In 2011 pitchers get 7 innings first week & 7 innings for 2nd
Round 10 innings for Semi's/Finals, unless there is only one
week of playoffs (not two), then all teams will start the week
getting 14 innings each per pitcher. Rest Periods do not apply
to Semi-Finals and Finals (Fri & Sat).
Section VI. Schedule of tournament to be determined
later.
A. 1st round to be TBA (approx June 28 -
July 1)
B. 2nd round to be TBA (approx July 5 -7).
C. 3rd round to be TBA (approx No 3rd Round
in 2011)
D. Semi finals to be Friday, July 8 @ 6:00pm/8:00pm
@ Plano
E. 3rd place game will be Saturday, July 9 at TBD:00pm.
F. Championship game will be Saturday, July 9 at TBD:00pm.
Section VII. Host Town for final four will Be responsible for Providing:
A.Two Patch Umpires
(which League will reimburse cost up to $55(Home) & $45(Bases)
B. Field in Proper Condition
C. 1 Dozen Base Balls Furnished by league 2011
D. Advance Public Notice
E. Sound Sytem for Public Adress Anouncing For Championship Game
F. Concessions
G. Decorations
ARTICLE
XXI- U.S.S.S.A. Tournaments and World Series
Section I. The manager of the team
in first place in the standings at the end
of the regular season shall be manager of the division in the
U.S.S.S.A. Tournament.(The League Will not be paying the entry
fees) THE LEAGUE WILL NOT BE PARTICIPATING
IN THIS. IN 2011
EACH COACH CAN FORM THEIR OWN TEAM AND PAY SAID ENTRY FEES
A. If unable, then second place manager shall
be given the
opportunity.
B. If the 1st & 2nd place managers are unable,
then the 3rd place
manager and so on, until a manager is able to
commit.
C. This rule is for both 14 and under tournament
teams.
D. League will pay entry fee for 14 year old team.
The league
still has red Tri County jerseys.
E. 13 and under team
will need sponsors for jerseys and entry
fees. Call league office with any sponsors.
Section II. The manager then selects the
coaches from a pool of other division
managers.
A. If no managers
are available then a manager may choose whom he
wishes for
his coach
Section III. Manager selects the players from
the rosters of every team in the
division.
A. Every manager must submit a list of 4 players
maximum to attend
a tryout to be selected to the U.S.S.S.A. Tournament
Team.
B. Players may participate on one tournament team
at a time.
Section IV. Pony National Tournament
A. Any team can enter Pony National tournament.
1. You can register your
own team.
ARTICLE
XXII- Protests
Section I. Protests are only allowed on
interpretation of the rules.
A. Protest will be decided by officers of the
Tri County Pony
League Division in which your team plays.
B. There is absolutely NO COMPLAINING to LEAGUE OFFICE ABOUT ANY
MATTER-Handle it between Coaches. ONLY FORMAL PROTEST are
ALLOWED. $50 Protest fee must be paid before your protest
will be heard. If you win your protest, you will refunded
your $50.00 Protest Fee.
ARTICLE XXIII- League Office
Section I. League office for the year
2011
Section II. The Commissioner of Baseball
can be reached at
Greg H. Gould
G-Force Labels & Printing, Inc.
420 W. Rt. 34 Unit #4
Plano, IL 60545
(630)327-9168
Fax (630)552-8960
Work (630)552-8911
Email - rockcreekball@aol.com
Section III. League President
David Lee
PO Box 7
Plano, IL 60545
Fax 630-273-2600
Cell 630-333-2104
Email - dave4lee@yahoo.com
Make Checks Payable to Tri-County Pony League
Email Rosters, Maps, Field Availability to rockcreekball@aol.com
Entry fee of $275 Due by April 15 along with Proof of Insurance and
Roster (Date was Change to April 15, from May 1st, Since the Season
starts May 1st.) Field Availability is Due April 1st.