Tee Ball Rules 

SAN LORENZO VALLEY LITTLE LEAGUE “T-BALL” GROUND RULES (Revised 11/2023)

“T-BALL” DIVISION MANAGERS AND COACHES WILL FAMILIARIZE THEMSELVES WITH THE CURRENT YEAR LITTLE LEAGUE OFFICIAL RULE BOOK, AND THE DISTRICT RULES FOR THE CURRENT YEAR, AND ADHERE TO THOSE AND TO THE FOLLOWING RULES. 

1. Tee Ball is for Players ages 4, 5, and 6 
   
   
2. LINE-UPS:
   

1. Every team member bats. Make your line up to include all players.

2. All players take the field. No player shall start play from more than 3 feet in front of the baselines with exceptions of the pitcher who shall stand at the “pitchers rubber” (Adopted 2/16/2023)

3. All players should play both infield and outfield during each game. Only the infielders (P, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, SS & Buckshort (2014) may stand within 3 feet of the base path. Outfielders must be at least 10 feet behind the base paths.(Adopted 2/16/2023) 

4. Buckshort (2014): Tee Ball and Buckshort: Tee Ball may have a "buckshort" or extra infielder, making six total infielders. This player is expected to play over second base.

5.  There is NO Catcher. The infield is limited to NO MORE than 6 players and only the pitcher is allowed to play in front of the base lines between 1st & 2nd and 2nd & 3rd, the outfield is all remaining players.

3. BOTH TEAMS:

1. HARASSMENT OR RIDICULE BY THE PLAYERS, MANAGERS, COACHES AND FANS TOWARDS THE OPPOSING PLAYERS OR UMPIRES WILL NOT BE ALLOWED. 

2. All chatter is illegal

3.  Prepare the field prior to the game. Last game returns the equipment to the equipment box or room, and locks it. REPORT ANY MISSING ITEMS to the division representative. Refer to Official League Rule book for proper field set up.

4. CLEAN UP THE FIELD, DUGOUT and BLEACHER AREA AFTER EACH GAME.

5. Equipment will be kept in a designated area in or near the dugout.

6. Provide one snack bar worker per team at SLV High School field, if playing at that field.

7. At least 1 manager/coach/parent (Adopted 2/16/2023) shall be in the dugout at all times. 

8. T-Ball needs Parent/Adult participation during practices & games more than any other level.

4. HOME TEAM Uses first base dugout.

5. PITCHING: 

1. Players hit off of the Tee.

2. Starting in the second half of the season: The tee MAY be removed and the team Manager/Coach MAY “toss” 3 pitches to the batter (2013) if it is deemed appropriate for the player’s ability level. After 3 pitches (counting fouls) if the batter is unable to place a ball in fair play the tee will be brought back out for that batter. 

3. There are no strike-outs and the ball must still travel 15 feet from home plate to be considered fair. This rule is meant to prepare players for A-Ball where they will face coach pitches from day one

4. There is a defensive player in the pitcher’s position and that player shall keep both feet at the 46 feet distance until the batter hits the ball. 

6. RUN RULE:

1. All players bat in a continuous order for the half inning. The half inning ends after 3 outs or when the last batter puts the ball in the field of play and the play ends. (Adopted 2/16/2023)

2. The game shall not be more than six innings or 1 1/2 hour, whichever comes first (a 3-4 inning game is recommended, at least during the first half of the season).

3. There is NO ON-DECK BATTER in any level of Little League. No player other than the batter may have a bat in their hand.

4. The ball is Foul if it travels less than 15’ in fair territory from home plate.

5. If a ball is hit, bounces in fair territory before 1st or 3rd base and then bounces/rolls into foul territory, the ball is FOUL.

6. If the ball is hit, lands in fair territory beyond 1st or 3rd base, then bounces/rolls into foul territory, it is a FAIR ball.

7. All batters MUST wear a batting helmet and keep it on while being a base runner.

8. If a batter bats out of turn, there is NO penalty. That player shall not have another turn at bat, but shall resume the normal position next time up.

9. Each batter will take only 1 base per hit. Optional: If the batter is the last batter of the half inning, all runners may continue to advance until the batter crosses home plate. (Adopted 2/16/2023)

7. HOME RUN / GROUND RULE DOUBLE:

1. There is NO Ground Rule Double or HR in T-Ball. 

8. MISCELLANEOUS PLAYING RULES:

1. No infield fly rule. No stealing. No leadoffs. No sliding.

2. Coaching (including designated parent coaching) is allowed on the field during the game.

3. Play stops when the batter reaches 1st base. (Adopted 2/16/2023)

4. The game shall not be more than six innings or 75 minutes. (Adopted 1/16/2024)

5. Games must end if darkness creates an unsafe situation. Managers are responsible for determining the safety level of available daylight.

5. Three outs per team constitute an inning.

6. There are no dogs allowed on school property or at any facility where dogs are clearly prohibited. Dogs are permitted at a game or practice provided they are 1) Leashed, and 2) Kept clear of traveled walkways and paths. Failure to clean up after one’s dog or abide by the above-mentioned rules will result in a revocation of allowing dogs at Little League games.

7. Players must NOT wear watches, pins, jewelry or other metallic items except medic-alert jewelry. 

8. Winning is secondary to the concept of sportsmanship, fair play and the instruction of the fundamental skills and rules of baseball. Managers and coaches who continue to lose sight of this fundamental goal will be dismissed and replaced by those who don't. 

9. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED:

1. Fill out your team batting order and keep it the same throughout the season. If the 1st game ends with the batter assigned to the 4th spot, then the next game would start with the batter assigned to the 5th spot and so on. This will help to ensure that all players will have an equal number of bats. If batter 5 arrives late to a game and their turn should have already batted, they will not be able to bat until their turn comes again (E.g. First game ends w/ batter in the 3rd position. Second game starts w/batter in the 4th position. Third game ends w/ batter in the 7th position. Fourth game starts w/batter in the 8th position. Fifth game ends w/ batter in the 5th position. Sixth game starts w/batter in the 6th position). 

2. Remember, we are here to facilitate a good time, a love of baseball, to teach and to demonstrate the kind of behavior we wish our children to model in society. 

3. WHILE WE WANT TO TEACH THE PLAYERS HOW TO PLAY THE GAME, T-BALL’S BIGGEST EMPHASIS SHOULD BE TO SHOW THE CHILDREN THAT PLAYING BASEBALL IS FUN!!!

4. NO SCORE OR OFFICIAL STANDINGS ARE KEPT.
   BE SURE TO MAKE SAFETY A HIGH PRIORITY!