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Rules T-ball

The T-Ball league is instructional baseball (non-competitive). The purpose of this program is to teach participants the fundamental skills needed to play baseball and start to learn good sportsmanship. During league play there will be no keeping of score other than to determine when the run limit for the inning has been reached. The league and coaches will not track wins and losses.

Regular Baseball Rules Apply Except as Noted Below

Eligibility - to play in the 5 year old league is determined by the players age as of April 30th of the year. A player is eligible to play at grade level as long as they are not playing with younger children.

The Field of Play - Base distance shall be 40 foot base paths. The pitchers circle/mound shall be at 38 feet measured from home plate. Fair Ball Arc - there will be a 10 foot arc drawn from 1st baseline to 3rd baseline in front of home plate. A ball must go past this line to be fair.

Defensive Players - There shall be 10 defensive players in the field at a time. During league play, all players are to play a minimum of 3 defensive innings. The player playing the "pitcher" position must be positioned in the pitchers circle before the ball is put into play. There is to be 4 outfielders (Right, Right Center, Left Center and Left field). Outfielders must stay behind the baseline and are not to interfere with infield play. A catcher must have a mask and chest protector on when behind home plate. At no time is a coach to place more than 10 players in the field at a time.

Offensive Players - All players shall be eligible to bat. A late arrival is put at the end of the batting order.

Change of Inning - An inning shall end after one of the following has occurred, which ever comes first, 5 runs have been scored or three outs have been recorded.

Game Length - A complete game shall consist of 5 innings or 1 hour.

Batting - All players shall bat using a batting tee. Players have 5 attempts to put the baseball into play. If after 5 attempts the batter has not hit the ball, the batter is out. A coach from the batting team shall stand behind the batter providing instruction during the player's "at bat". This coach shall cry "Batter Up!" prior to allowing the batter to strike the ball and also this will serve to ensure the defense is ready.

Time Out - Time shall be called when an infield defensive player is attempting to throw the ball to the pitcher. The current play will stop and the next batter will be brought to the plate.

Other Rules:

• There is no leading off or stealing.

• There is no infield fly rule.

• There is to be 1st and 3rd base coaches only while their team is batting.

• The defensive team may have a maximum of 2 coaches in the outfield. These coaches are not to interfere with the progress of the ball.