C.O.B.R.A. Rules

Central Ohio Baseball Recreational Association (C.O.B.R.A.)

Pony League Rules – 2025 (Version 2.0)

Effective Date: January 22, 2025

All rules not addressed herein conform to the current official OHSAA High School Baseball Rules Book.

1. AGE GROUPS

• Middle School Division: Players entering 6th, 7th, or 8th grade for the current season.
• High School Division: Players entering 9th, 10th, 11th, or 12th grade for the current season.

2. MINIMUM PLAY REQUIREMENTS

• Game Changer must be used for all COBRA games.
• Rosters and batting lineups must include full names and jersey numbers.
• All players must play at least 2 defensive innings within the first 4 innings.
• Batting order includes all players present at game start; late arrivals bat last.
• No changes to batting order unless due to injury.
• Teams must field at least 7 eligible players or forfeit.

3. EQUIPMENT

• Cleats: Metal cleats allowed on natural fields, prohibited on turf.
• Catchers: Must use a proper catcher's mitt.
• Bats: Only BBCOR -3 or wood bats permitted.

Violations:

• • 1st offense: batter out
• • 2nd offense: player ejected
• • 3rd offense: team forfeits; disciplinary review

4. TIME LIMITS

• Regular games: 7 innings
• No new inning after 2 hours (single game) or 1:45 (doubleheader)
• Inning completion required once started
• Max 1:20 between innings
• Courtesy runners allowed with 2 outs (last out must run)
• Pitcher/catcher replaced must play that position next inning

5. RUN RULE

• Game ends if losing team trails by 10+ runs after their half of the 5th or 6th inning
• 7-run limit per inning except 7th (unlimited)

6. UNIFORM

• League-supplied hat and shirt required; baseball pants mandatory
• Non-baseball pants (e.g., jeans, sweatpants) prohibited
• Pitchers may not wear white or gray sleeves
• Only prescription sunglasses allowed for pitchers
• Catchers must wear protective cup/supporter

7. FIELD DIMENSIONS

• Middle School: Mound 54', Bases 80'
• High School: Mound 60'6", Bases 90'

8. PITCHING RULES

• Max 4 innings or pitch count (95 for MS, 105 for HS)
• Doubleheader max: 7 innings/day
• Weekly max: 12 innings (Mon–Sun)
• Balk: 1 warning per pitcher per game
• Removal required:
  • • 2 mound visits in same inning
  • • 3 mound visits in game
  • • 3 hit batters by same pitcher
• No re-entry at pitching position
• Rest requirements by age and pitch count (see chart)

9. BASE/HOME PLATE PLAY

• Runners must not initiate avoidable collisions
• Catchers may not block path without possession
• Bona fide slides exempt from interference calls
• Illegal slides or roll blocks result in outs and possible double outs

10. GAME RESULTS

• Outcomes: win, loss, tie, suspended, protested
• Forfeits recorded as 7–0

11. POSTPONED GAMES (Pre-Start)

Host coach or umpire may postpone due to field conditions

12. POSTPONED GAMES (In Progress)

• 4 innings (3.5 if home team leads) = complete game
• Suspended games resume from point of stoppage
• Pitching limits apply across both parts of suspended games
• Player availability rules for resumed games

13. PLAYOFF RULES

• All playoff games aim for full 7 innings
• 10-run rule applies after 5th or 6th inning
• Extra innings played until outcome is determined