Rules for Boys T-Ball:
Philippians 1:27 Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ
1.
Games are 5 innings or a time limit of 1 hour, and 15 minutes in length. If the time limit is invoked, the game is official
regardless of complete innings played, as long as both teams have had an equal number of at-bats. If the game is tied, it shall
be recorded as such. Time limit begins upon the conclusion of the opening prayer. There will be a 10-minute grace period
for the first game of the day only.
2.
Run Limit:
3.
Each team may have a total of 4 coaches in the field/dugout. You may have 2 defensive coaches in the outfield, and they
must stay in the outfield until time is called. If they enter the infield, touch a player, or are hit by a live ball, the runners will
advance to the next base.
4.
The batting tee will be optional for all players for a specified amount of games. Batters will receive any combination of 5
pitches (3 pitches & 2 tee swings or 4 pitches & 1 tee swing or 5 pitches). Each player must receive a minimum of 2
pitches. Both teams will use the same tee. After the specified date, all players will be removed from the tee with the
exception of up to 4 players per team. If you have 11 or more players in the lineup, 4 tee hitters. 9 or 10 players in the lineup,
3 tee hitters. 8 players in the lineup, 2 tee hitters. These players will be shown as tee hitters on the line-up card before each
game. The coach can change these players from game to game, but not once a game has started. The date to come off the tee
will be announced at least two weeks in advance.
5.
Adult pitchers must pitch over-handed. If a batted ball hits the adult pitcher, a dead ball single will be awarded.
6.
A semi-circle will be drawn in front of home plate measuring 3 feet from the back corner of home plate, and a batted ball
must either stop on or go beyond this line to be a fair ball.
7.
The player-pitcher is the only one allowed in the circle during the pitch, and he must have at least 1 foot inside the circle. No
defensive player may be closer to the batter than the player-pitcher. Adult pitchers may not interfere with any defensive
player. PLAYERS ARE LIMITED TO TWO (2) INNINGS PER GAME IN THE CIRCLE AND FIRST BASE
COMBINED (Ex: A player cannot play two innings at first base and then go play in the circle).
8.
The play becomes dead when the player-pitcher is STOPPED and has full control of the ball inside of the pitchers
circle OR if the defense has stopped the lead runner. There will be a halfway mark between the bases. If a runner is over
the mark with both feet when the pitcher steps into the circle with both feet and has control of the ball the runner will be
allowed the base. If the runner is not over the halfway mark, he will be directed to return to the last base he last occupied. It is
the judgment call of the umpire as to when to call time-out. Time out will also be granted when a player has possession of the
ball and is in front of the lead runner.
9.
No more than a total of 3 games/practices per week.
10.
Mercy Rule:
11.
Rolling or intentionally grounding the ball towards a base or another player is not allowed and the runner will be called safe.
In the case of an over-throw at first base ONLY, the batter is awarded second base and all runners are awarded a base if
forced.
12.
Outfielders may not be positioned on the infield dirt, however, once a ball is hit, they may make a play at a base and also
counts as a fielder having possession of the ball in #8 above.
13.
Defensive coaches should instruct their defensive players to move out of the base runners way when the ball is in live play,
unless they are making a play on the ball.
5 runs per inning through the 4th inning
10 runs in the 5th inning
If a team is ahead by 11 runs after 4 complete innings, the game will be called.
14.
All players will bat and play in the field.
15.
PLAYER DOMINATION RULE- There will be a line/hash from Home Plate to Second Base. A player may not run
across that line/hash to make a play, they must throw the ball to make the play. Example- If the a player fields a ball on
the Third Base side of the line/hash, his options are: Throw the ball to First Base, Run/Throw to Second Base,
Run/Throw to Third Base, or Run to Home Plate.
1.
2.
Player Domination Rule Modification 2011
The outfield player must throw all balls hit to the outfield back into the infield in an attempt to stop the advancement of
runners. No outfielder is allowed to field the ball in the outfield grass and run into the infield to get a force out or tag a
runner trying to advance to another base. If this happens, the base runner is not out and will be allowed to stay at the
base to which he was running. If an infielder goes into the outfield grass to retrieve a hit ball, he then becomes an
outfielder and must throw the ball back to the infield.
If the ball is hit to the infield, the fielder may not carry the ball across a line drawn from home through second base in
an attempt to run down a base runner, the ball is to be thrown to the base to record an out on the runner. The penalty
for this will be to allow the runner the base he is running to.
Example 1: The Pitcher, 1st baseman or 2nd baseman fields the ball on the first base side of the hash, in an attempt to get a
runner going from 2nd to 3rd the Pitcher, 1st or 2nd baseman must throw the ball to third. They are not allowed to run the player
down. If this happens the runner will be allowed to stay at 3rd base.
Example 2: The Pitcher, short stop or 3rd baseman fields the ball on the 3rd base side of the hash, in an attempt to get the
batter-runner out, the Pitcher or short stop must throw the ball to 1st base to get the forced out. They are not allowed to run
the player down. If this happens the runner will be allowed to stay at 1st base.
Example 3: Any infielder making a play on the ball on either side of the hash can run or throw to 2 nd base in an attempt to get a
runner advancing from first to second base. Also, any infielder can run down a player advancing from 3rd to home plate
because there is not a catcher at this position. So it is possible for an infielder to make a tag out on a runner and then run
home to tag out a runner advancing from 3rd to home plate.