Pinto
Regulations
In general, the Official Rules of Baseball shall apply, but with these specific exceptions for this age division…
- “Coach pitch” from pitching circle with use of adult (or other non-player) catcher.
- Defense plays 4 outfielders and a Pitcher’s Assistant (“PA”) who is positioned next to the adult pitcher.
- Batter gets 6 pitches per at bat (8 to start the season). Batter is out after 3 swinging strikes/fouls or 6th/8th pitch unless the last pitch is hit foul.
- Ball in play is “dead” when defensive team has a player (usually the PA) with (i) both feet in the pitching circle, (ii) possession of the ball, and (iii) intent to end the play (i.e., a play is not dead if a player fields the ball in the circle or runs through the circle with the ball in an effort to make a play at a base). When the play is dead, runners return to the last base they reached (i.e., a runner who is a step short of 3rd base when play is dead returns to 2nd base).
- 1st base is a “double bag”; fielder uses inside portion of base and runner uses outside portion of base.
- Runner must have contact with the base when batter makes contact with pitch; no leadoffs or stealing.
Guidance on Bats
Bats marked with the USABaseball (or USABat) stamp are allowed. USSSA 1.15 stamped bats are NOT allowed. No length, barrel size or drop restrictions. Most players will use a 27”- 28” bat with a drop between -10 and -12.
Age Requirements
For the 2024 Spring season, a player is eligible for Pinto if they were born after May 1, 2016 and before April 30, 2018. Players born outside of the age range (i.e., after April 30, 2018) may also be eligible to play, depending on space and other factors.
Scoring/Mercy Rules
There is no “mercy” rule in Pinto but scoring is limited as follows. Each offensive half-inning lasts until (i) defense records 3 outs or (ii) the team “bats around” the lineup.
Pitching Limits
Pinto is a coach pitch, so there are no pitch limits.
Time Limits
Games are 6 innings but no new inning may be started after 90 minutes from start of the game. There are some variations for extra innings and playoff games.
