(A Downloadable PDF of This Can Be Found in Forms>Rules)

FOX CHAPEL AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT BASEBALL FEDERATION

“T-BALL” DIVISION BASEBALL RULES

(5 AND 6 YEAR OLDS)

The goal of T-BALL is to introduce the youngsters to the most basic concepts of baseball.  This should be accomplished in a low stress atmosphere conducive to learning.  Coaches should downplay the competitive aspects of the sport.

Any 6 year old player eligible for the T-BALL Division can play in the next higher division at the sole discretion of the member organization board or FCAAA.  The main criteria will be the safety of the player and the other players in the T-BALL Division

Rules:

1.         Bases shall be 50’ apart.  A hash mark shall be placed half the distance between first and second base, second and third base, and between third and home.  An arc shall be drawn 15’ from home plate.  Batted balls, which do not cross this line, are considered foul.  A line shall be placed 45‘ from home plate.  The player at the pitching position shall not cross this line until the ball is hit.

2.         There will be 6 infielders:  First base, Second base, Third base, Shortstop, Rover and Pitcher.  The Rover plays directly behind second base.  A parent coach will serve as the catcher.

3.         The outfield will consist of all the remaining players arranged in an arc at least 20’ behind the bases. 

4.         Players shall rotate positions and all players shall play at least one inning in the infield.  No child shall play more than one inning per game at pitcher or first base or more than two Innings at any other infield position.

5.         The game will be a maximum of 4 full innings.  Games will run no longer than 1 hour and 45 minutes.  Unless otherwise scheduled, games will begin at 6:15 PM and end by 8:15 PM.

6.         All players will bat in a continuous batting order.  Each team should keep a batting order for their players to insure the players bat in the proper order.  Players arriving after the start of the game shall be added to the end of the order.  All players will bat each inning.  Only  runs, which score before there are 3 outs, will count and a maximum of 5 runs will be counted each Inning.  Keeping a game score is not necessary and is discouraged.

                        THIS IS NOT ABOUT WINNING!

7.         The home team manager is responsible for canceling the game and notifying the other manager as soon as possible.  Once the game is started, stopping or terminating the game is the responsibility of the home team manager.

                        GAMES SHOULD BE STOPPED IMMEDIATELY IF LIGHTNING IS SEEN.

8.         Each batter will hit from the batting tee until a fair ball is hit.  In addition to the standard foul lines, any ball not hit past the 15’ arc will be ruled foul.  Any time the player loudly strikes the tee, the play will be ruled dead by the batting team’s manager and the swing will be retaken.  Full swings must be taken at all times, as there is no bunting.  A batter may not throw the bat.  If this occurs, play is ruled dead and offending batter is warned.  If the player throws the bat for the second time in the same at bat, the player shall be declared out.

9.         There are no leads or stealing.  The base runner must stay on the base until the ball is hit.  Once the ball is in play, runners may advance until play is stopped, at which point the runner is awarded the base entitled to by the half way line between the bases.  The base runner should stay within the baselines.  The only exception is to avoid a batted ball or interfering with a fielder attempting to field the ball.  If the runner interferes with a fielder attempting to field a batted ball, the base runner is declared out and play stops.  The runner may round first base in either direction providing there is no deliberate move toward second base.

10.       After a fair ball is hit, play continues until: an outfielder or infielder throws the ball in a forward motion toward home plate, an infielder holds the ball after a throw to him or her, or the ball goes out of play.  On an errant throw by an infielder or a subsequent errant play by the receiving infielder, no base runner (including the batter) may advance beyond the base to which he or she is going.  The ball is dead when it eludes the receiving infielder and the runners may not advance.

11.       There is no infield fly rule.

12.       No outfielder can make a direct play at a base.

13.       A team should use as many coaches as possible at this age level.   Besides the manager, the normal base coaches are utilized and a batter coach is used to set the ball on the tee, adjust the player’s stance, and to serve as the catcher.  Two outfield coaches are allowed to keep the outfielders organized, alert and in position.

14.       By March 1^st, registrants for each organization should be submitted to the FCAAA Secretary for insurance purposes by age category per organization. By April 1^st, team rosters should be submitted to the FCAAA.  Any changes thereafter must come before the Board.