The Pinto 8 level of Spring House League is a co-ed baseball league for players at the 8U level. Players in this league must be 8 years old prior to September 1st of the same year they intend to play.
Pinto 8 is also the first year that pitching is introduced to the players. Players will pitch up to four balls (non-strikes) before a coach pitches. Coaches can strike out their own players. Balls & strikes are called and innings change at three outs rather than at the end of the batting order.
There is typically one practice per week. Practice dates and times are set by the coaches. Games are played on Saturdays between 8:30am and 7:00pm. Pinto 8 games are played primarily at the Crowley and Westbrook fields
(a) Players will pitch overhand.
(b) Pitchers must pitch from the pitching rubber, which will be 44 feet from home plate.
(c) Players may only pitch 2 innings per game.
(d) No walks. If the batter is pitched four balls from the pitcher, the designated adult pitcher (batting team’s coach) will finish pitching to the batter.
(e) A coach coming in to pitch must pitch from the pitching rubber.
(a) A continuous batting order shall be used. Changing the batter order every game is encouraged.
(b) An inning will end after three outs or one time through the batting order, whichever comes first.
(c) Hits off the designated adult pitcher are limited to one base.
(d) “Hit by Pitch” Rule: a batter is considered “hit by pitch” if a thrown pitch by the pitcher strikes the batter before the ball passes the batter, even if the ball hits the ground prior to striking the batter. The pitch will be considered a “strike” if the batter swings at the pitch prior to or simultaneously to being struck by the pitch.
(e) “Taking First Base.” In the event a batter is “Hit by Pitch” that batter shall have
(a) All players will play defensively each inning. Rotating players into new positions throughout the game is encouraged. Each player must play at least one inning of each game at an infield position.
(b) Only 7 infielders are allowed (pitcher, catcher, first base, second base, shortstop, third base and a short-center, who plays on or near second base).
(c) All other players should play in the outfield (grass area).