INSERTION: 2026 (Approved 2024 as 2024-R-30) 

DESCRIPTION: Clarify for players what is a legal bat. 

RULE: 8-C 

RULE CHANGE: C. Single piece wooden, metal, graphite or ceramic bats manufactured for  baseball play, which are round and not more than two and five eighths inches in diameter  at the thickest part, not more than 42 inches in length, are acceptable. No bat shall be  used if dented, cracked, modified or misshaped. The bat’s knob may be solid or hollowed  to house an embedded metric sensor. If a sensor is used, it shall (1) not affect  performance; (2) be secured by a locking mechanism and a back-up mechanism to keep  it in place; and (3) have a distinguishing “off-line” mode to prevent data from being  accessed during a game. 

(1) Bats manufactured specifically for use in tee ball, shall not be used when the ball  is pitched by a player, coach, or pitching machine, unless using a Level 5 or less safety  ball. 

(2) Coach-pitch bats with the USA Baseball mark will only be used in coach-pitch  using a safety ball. Penalty: removal of the bat only. (Not subject to rule 18-E-7(a),  (b) and (c). 

(3) With the exception of the -3 bat (BBCOR certified), all bats must be certified with  the USA Baseball mark on the bat in order to be used for league and tournament  play. 

(4) 2-¾” barrel bats are prohibited in all divisions of PONY Baseball. 

(5) COLT 16U™ and PALOMINO 19U™ are only allowed to use 2-⅝″ -3 BBCOR certified  bats. 

(6) THOROBRED 23U™ League must use wooden bats only as specified by Major  League Baseball. 

INSERTION: 2026 (Approved 2024 as 2024-R-20) 

DESCRIPTION: Jewelry Rule Eliminated 

RULE: 8-J 

RULE CHANGE: Eliminate Rule 8-J prohibiting jewelry.  

INSERTION: 2026 (Approved 2024 as 2024-R-33) 

DESCRIPTION: Electronic Devices 

RULE: 8-J 

RULE CHANGE: J. Players may not use cell phones, pagers, or any other types of  communications devices wearable or handheld cannot be used on the field of play with  the exception of medical devices. The field of play includes bullpens, dugouts, coaches’  boxes and other such areas where the coaches, players, and umpires have access.