Bronco Rules

WRA House League Baseball Rules

5TH & 6TH GRADE LEAGUE (REFERRED TO AS “BRONCO LEAGUE” BY BOTH WPD & NTRA)

With the exception of the following age-specific rules, Bronco League play will be outlined in the IHSA Baseball Rule Book.

Any questions or disputes should be directed to the individual league representative for clarification or resolution.

1. ELIGIBILITY

Players must have just completed 5th or 6th grade in 2021.

2. PLAYING FIELD

  • Base distance: 70 feet
  • Pitching rubber distance: 48 feet

3. NUMBER OF PLAYERS

  • Minimum 8 players to begin a game.
  • Forfeit occurs 10 minutes after scheduled start time if minimum is not met.
  • Umpires are not required to stay after a forfeit.
  • Only 10-year-old Mustang players may be called up (with coach permission and no schedule conflict).

4. LENGTH OF GAMES

  • No new inning after 90 minutes.
  • Maximum of 6 innings.
  • Timer used to track official game time (starts after pre-game meeting).
  • Time limits for postseason may vary.
  • New inning: defensive team ready, batter in box, umpire initiates play.
  • Umpires may declare a new inning if pace of play is too slow.

5. PRE-GAME WARM-UP

  • Visiting team: field time from 30 to 15 minutes before game.
  • Home team: field time from 15 minutes before to start time.
  • Warm-ups may occur adjacent to field if needed.
  • Late games may have limited warm-up time due to daylight.
  • Teams must be ready on time.

6. TEAM ON DEFENSE

  • All players must play defense for at least half the game (recommendation: every other inning).
  • Only 9 defensive players are allowed.

7. TEAM ON OFFENSE

  • All players must be in the batting order.
  • Late arrivals are added to the bottom; missed turn = out.
  • 3 outs per inning.
  • Bunting is allowed.
  • Catchers reaching base with 2 outs must have a pinch runner (last batter out).

8. MERCY RULE

  • Game ends if:
    • Visiting team leads by 12 after 4 innings.
    • Home team leads by 12 after 3.5 innings.
  • Coaches may continue game; umpires not required to stay.

PITCHING RULES

9. PITCHING

  • Follows Little League pitch count policy.
  • One game per day per pitcher.
  • Pitcher removed may not return to pitch that game.
  • Pitch counts must be tracked and submitted.

Pitch Count Limits

League Age Max Pitches/Day
17–18 105
13–16 95
11–12 85
10 & under 75

Required Rest

  • 61+ pitches: 3 days rest
  • 41–60 pitches: 2 days rest
  • 21–40 pitches: 1 day rest
  • 1–20 pitches: no rest required

Other notes:

  • Max 5 warm-up pitches between innings (10 for new pitchers).
  • Pitchers may finish an at-bat even after reaching the pitch count limit.
  • Calendar day rest is required (e.g., 46 pitches Tuesday = eligible Friday).
  • If inning ends while pitching and batter leads off next inning, pitcher may not return.

Abuse Penalties:

  1. First offense: 1 game suspension
  2. Second offense: remainder of season + 1-year coaching ban

10. PITCHING FROM THE STRETCH

  • Coaches must instruct proper form.
  • Umpires may issue warnings and call balks on repeated infractions.

11. MOUND VISITS

  • One visit per pitcher per inning.
  • Second visit = mandatory pitcher change.

12. LEADING OFF & STEALING BASES

  • Runners may lead off and steal any base, including home.

13. PACE OF PLAY

  • Coaches and umpires are expected to encourage hustle to maximize play time.

14. BAT LIMITATIONS

  • No bats with diameter over 2 5/8” allowed.

15. CALL-UPS

  • Only 12-year-olds can be called up to Pony TAP.
  • No conflict with Bronco game schedule allowed.
  • Bronco coaches must approve.
  • Mustang players must also be approved before Bronco call-up.
  • No player borrowing between Bronco teams.
  • Call-ups must come from lower league only.

16. OFFICIAL GAME SCORECARD

  • Signed by both coaches and umpires.
  • Turned in to concession stand after game.
  • Used for standings, pitch tracking, and umpire payment.
  • No changes allowed after signature.
  • Tie-breakers:
    1. Head-to-head result
    2. Fewest runs allowed (head-to-head)
    3. Most runs scored (head-to-head)
    4. Fewest runs allowed (overall)

17. MISCELLANEOUS

  • Rainouts rescheduled by WRA.
  • Game is official after 4 innings (or 3.5 if home team leads).
  • Notify league rep of player loss ASAP.
  • Protective cups are highly encouraged.

18. DROPPED THIRD STRIKE

  • If player heads toward dugout and gives up opportunity to run, umpire may rule them out.
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