(as of August 31, 2026)
Delwood is a PONY recreational baseball and softball league. We generally follow all rules from the previous year’s Official MLB rules with PONY modifications for baseball, and we follow all PONY rules for softball. Below are the main exceptions and clarifications.
Length Of Games
(Baseball and Softball)
- 6U: No new inning can start after 50 minutes. Finish the game if the outcome is still in question once a new inning starts, otherwise time expires at 60 minutes.
- 8U: No new inning can start after 65 minutes. Finish the game if the outcome is still in question once a new inning starts, otherwise time expires at 75 minutes.
- 10U: No new inning can start after 80 minutes. Finish the game if the outcome is still in question once a new inning starts, otherwise time expires at 90 minutes.
- 12U: No new inning can start after 95 minutes. Finish the game if the outcome is still in question once a new inning starts, otherwise time expires at 105 minutes.
Time Between Innings / Pitching Changes
(Baseball and Softball)
Delwood encourages a fast pace of play to keep games moving, and to get more at bats for the players. For 10U and 12U, the maximum time between innings (or pitching changes) is 2 minutes, 30 seconds. The pitcher must be ready to throw a pitch at this time, otherwise they are penalized with an automatic ball 1. Each additional 15 seconds is another ball if the pitcher is not ready.
Number Of Innings
(Baseball and Softball)
We typically run out of time before innings thresholds are met, but at all levels there is a maximum of six innings. No extra innings in the event of tied games.
Runs Per Inning
(Baseball and Softball)
Maximum of 5 runs per inning at all levels.
Mercy Rule
(Baseball and Softball)
If a team is down by 11+ runs after 4 innings, or 6+ runs after 5 innings, the game is called.
Number of Players
(Baseball and Softball)
For 6U, Delwood plays 10 players in the field (4 outfielders). 8U allows up to 10 players if both coaches agree before the game. All other divisions field the typical 9 players in the field.
All teams must bat their full lineup in attendance. Games can be played with 8 players, and Delwood does not penalize teams with an automatic out who are batting fewer than 9 players due to a player shortage.
Safety Rules: Bat Throwing
(Baseball and Softball)
We have a 3-tier policy for bat throwing, which applies to the team (not an individual player).
- 1st team offense = team warning after the play, nothing stops during the play.
- 2nd team offense = player is automatically out, it’s a dead ball, no other runners can advance; even if it’s that specific player’s first time throwing the bat.
- 3rd team offense = player is ejected, it’s a dead ball, no other runners can advance; even if it’s that specific player’s first time throwing the bat.
Safety Rules: Slashing And Suicide Squeezes
(Baseball and Softball)
Delwood does not allow suicide squeezes at any level. The batter is out, and it’s a dead ball, if attempting a bunt while a player is stealing home.
Delwood does not allow slashing, which is when a player squares up to bunt but then pulls back their bat and takes a full swing. The batter is out, and it’s a dead ball, if this is attempted.