2009 Tee Ball Rules for 5 and 6

Tee Ball  

Mission :  

Tee Ball is an introductory league designed to expose players to the basic fundamentals of batting, throwing, fielding, and baserunning. 

Rules:

• Games will consist of three innings.  No inning will start after one-hour and forty-five minutes.  Our goal is to complete all games within two hours.
• All players will bat each inning.  The bases should be cleared after the third out and any subsequent third out in the half-inning.  The inning is over after every player has batted in the inning.
• The batter will put the ball in play by hitting off a tee placed at home plate.  After the ball is hit, the batter and runners may advance as many bases as possible as long as the ball is in the outfield.  Once the ball reaches the infield, the runners should be held at the next base they reach.
• Each team should play all players on the field each inning.  Please maintain normal infield positions, and the pitcher must stay within the pitcher’s mound area until the ball is hit.  Extra players should be placed in the outfield.  As many as six outfielders can be accommodated with a four-across and two-deep alignment (LF, LC, RC, RF, Deep LC, and Deep RC).  Players should be played at a different position each inning, and all players should have an equal opportunity to play the infield.  No preference to more talented players.
• The pitcher and catcher should wear a caged-face batting helmet while on the field.  Please take every precaution to keep the catcher a safe distance from the batter until the ball is in play.
• Defensive coaches are permitted on the field behind the infielders.  Offensive coaches will serve as umpires.
•  There should be no sliding, no leadoffs, no stealing, no advancing on passed balls or overthrows.  Runners should not leave the base until the ball is hit
• There is no intentional bunting and no infield fly rule will be used.
• All batters and base runners must wear a batting helmet.  All players should wear long white baseball pants for practice and games. Players in shorts can’t participate in the game for safety purposes.
• The length of the baselines should be measured at forty-five feet.

Sportsmanship:

• There should be no taunting, teasing or belittling of another player.  Infield chatter (“Hey Batter”) is acceptable as long as it does not cross the line of good sportsmanship.  Due to proximity to the batter, the catcher should refrain from chattering.  Encourage your players to congratulate a teammate or competitor on a good play or hit.  Both teams should shake hands at the conclusion of each game.
• Coaching complaints should be directed FIRST to Joe Keating, 335-7262. If not satisfactorily resolved THEN call Harry Mc Keen, 336-6032.  Please remember coaches are well-meaning volunteers. Please try to resolve any issues directly with the coach prior to registering a formal complaint. The WYBSA takes formal complaints very seriously and each complaint registered goes through a formal investigative process. We guard the kids' safety and well being first and foremost!

Scorekeeping:

• There should be no scorekeeping, batting averages, or any other player statistics maintained for Tee Ball play by players, parents, or coaches.  Please discourage any such conduct and promote the ideals of fun, player development, and the spirit of competition. Parents are strongly urged to offer to help coach. Get involved in the WYBSA now and stay involved throughout your child’s playing years.