Azle Baseball & Softball Association

Pinto 8U

PINTO 8U™ LEAGUE is an instructional league to teach eight and under (Minimum age 3 in Baseball, 4 in Girls Softball) players the fundamentals of baseball and Softball.

PINTO 8U™ LEAGUE teams are full members of PONY, receive supplies and the full support of the headquarters staff and Field Director organization. International tournament play is not conducted at these age levels. Leagues may play in regional invitational tournaments, but it is recommended they do so with regular season team rosters. The focus should remain on training more than competition.

Managers and coaches at this level must be concerned with the development of all of the players on their team. These are training leagues and the development of a player's skill and personality must remain the prime goal of the manager and coach, rather than the winning of a league title.

PINTO BASEBALL FIELD SPECIFICATIONS AND DIMENSIONS

BASES : 60 feet (UPDATED FOR 2017 RULES)
PITCHING : Pinto Baseball (Machine & Coach Pitch): 38 feet, Pinto Baseball (Player Pitch): 40 feet.

FAIR PLAY AREA : Within the first base and third base foul lines and a fence or marked line 150 feet from home plate. A ball hit beyond that distance on the fly will be a home run. A minimum home run distance of 125 feet or a maximum of 200 feet will be recognized, with the recommendation that the home run distance be 150 feet at the foul lines and 200 feet in center field to a six or eight foot barrier wherever possible.

BASES, PLATES : The home plate, pitcher's rubber and the bases shall be official size as used in regulation baseball.

PITCHING MOUND : Shall be raised by a gradual slope to a height of four inches above the level of home plate and the base paths.

RESTRAINING LINE : Located along first base, beginning 25 feet from home base and extending three feet beyond the first and second base line. The line, paralleling the first base foul line and extending three feet (36 inches) into foul territory, shall be marked with chalk or other white material two inches wide.

DISTANCE TO BACKSTOP : Recommended distance from home plate to the backstop is 20 feet.

CATCHER'S BOX : By local option, the catcher's box may be rectangular in shape 43 inches wide and eight feet deep from the point of home plate or it may be triangular in shape extending eight feet from the rear of home plate, being a continuation of the foul lines, in which case the line closet to the backstop shall be 16 feet in length.

BASEBALL RECOMMENDED Field Size:

PINTO FAST PITCH SOFTBALL FIELD SPECIFICATIONS AND DIMENSIONS

BASES : 55 feet

PITCHING : 35 feet

RECOMMENDED FENCES : 150 feet to 175 feet

FIELD DIMENSIONS DRAWING :

PINTO SLOW PITCH SOFTBALL FIELD SPECIFICATIONS AND DIMENSIONS

BASES : 50 feet

PITCHING : 40 feet

RECOMMENDED FENCES : 150 feet to 175 feet

FIELD DIMENSIONS DRAWING :

8U Interlock Rules (Voted 03.06.22)

Game time is 1:15, no new inning after 1:05
USA Stamped bats must be used - NO tee ball bats allowed even USA stamped
Run rule is 6 runs per inning
Pitchers must be even with or behind the coach pitching the ball.
Pitchers can not run down a player at 1st base, the pitcher must attempt a throw to first base unless they are in arm's reach of the runner.
A play can only be stopped if the lead runner has stopped running and an infielder has the ball.
4 outfielders are allowed. However if both coaches agree at the plate meeting then 3 or 5 outfielders may be used
6 Pitches but at bat will continue if the ball is fouled off on the last pitch.
Coaches cannot contact players while players are running and the play is still going on or the runner can be called out.
Runners have to be in contact with the base when the ball is hit or it will result in the runner being called out.

*Plate meetings are very important in this division in order to make sure both coaches are aware of all the rules.