T-Ball Rules

The T-Ball program is designed to orient the boys and girls to baseball fundamentals of hitting, fielding, and good sportsmanship. The organizational rules are the same as other age groups: however playing rules must be somewhat different.

 

Game Duration – The game shall be four innings. No inning shall start after 55 minutes of play. Play is considered to have begun when the umpire first declares “Play Ball” and the next inning shall be considered as started the instant the last out is made in the preceding inning. The timepiece selected by the umpire shall be official.

Pitchers – No player may play the pitcher position for two consecutive innings in any game. The player playing the pitcher’s position must have at least one foot in contact with the pitching rubber at the time the ball is hit. Violation of this rule shall result in each base runner being awarded one base and the batter returning to bat, unless the results of the initial hit would be of greater benefit to the team at bat. In this case, the umpire shall warn the pitcher and the play will count as it occurred (if a pitcher fields a hit ball while in contact with the pitcher’s rubber the ball is not dead until the pitcher has first broken contact with the rubber in an attempt to put out a runner. If the pitcher holds the ball and remain in contact with the pitcher’s rubber while making no attempt to put out a runner, the umpire shall declare the ball dead and award the batter first base and each base runner one base.)

Defensive Positions – All players must play in a normal defensive position. Specifically, infielders should be no more than five feet in front of the baselines and outfielders should be no less than ten feet behind the baselines. There will be ten players on the field – six infielders and four outfielders.

Putting The Ball In Play - The umpire is responsible for placing the ball on the tee for the batter and for moving the tee off of the plate after each hit. The ball is put in play in the following manner:

The umpire must say “Play Ball” before the batter swings at the ball.

The batter attempts to put the ball in pay by hitting it off the tee.

Illegal Hits –

If the ball is not hit from the tee in five swings then it is considered a strike out.

The ball must travel beyond the ten-foot circle from home plate to be fair, playable ball. Otherwise, it is considered a foul ball if it remains in the circle.

A ball hit in foul territory is played as in regular dead ball will be called. This is considered a strike.

If the tee is knocked over as a result of a swing, a dead ball will be called. This is considered a strike.

Any part of the ball may be hit to place the ball in play. The ruling of the official is final.

 

Stopping Play – The ball is dead when one of the following happens:

The pitcher has control of the ball and is on rubber.

The catcher has the control of the ball and is on home plate.

The ball is in the infield and is controlled by a defensive player, after it has been hit to the outfield.

Umpire declares time (when no action is being initiated.)

When the ball becomes dead by any of the previous rules, all runners will be returned to the last base legally touched.

Slinging The Bat – After a hit the batter must leave the bat so that part of the bat remains within the ten-foot circle. Failure to do so will result in the batter being called out and runners may not advance. Each team will receive one warning.

Base Runner – If a runner is forced off his base by a hit ball, he may advance to the next base regardless of the fact that the ball is made dead according to the procedures of Rule 6 above. This includes the batter attempting to reach first base. If the base runner crosses the 40-foot lines with any part of his body the runner will be awarded the next base.

No Stealing – Tight bases are in effect.

No Bunting

Base Length – Is 60-feet, the pitchers rubber is 40 feet.

Length of Inning – Innings will be three outs or five runs, whichever occurs first.

Abbreviated Games – In the event of inclement weather, a game will be ruled official if the game has gone at least two full innings or the home team is ahead at one and half innings.

Minimum Playing Time – Each player in attendance at a game must play in the field for at least two innings or six outs or ten runs.

Substitutions – Free substitution will apply for all positions. Any player may re-enter the game at any position (exception if the player played pitcher in the previous inning).

No Infield Fly Rule

Advance On Overthrow – When a thrown ball goes past a fielder and hits a designated dead ball area (dugout, fence, backstop, or out of play), the ball will immediately become dead. All runners will be entitled the next base.

All players in attendance will be on the batting order.

Player voluntarily leaving a game will not create an out.

No Steel Cleats.

Play Safe and Have Fun!!