Back

SUPPLEMENTAL T-BALL RULES

These rules are intended to be supplemental to the Dixie Youth Baseball Suggested T-Ball Rules.  Where conflicts exist, these supplemental rules will prevail.                                          

PLAYING FIELDS

1.       The home team will be on the first base side.

2.       Each team is responsible for cleaning its dugout and spectator areas of all trash.

3.       The playing field will have fifty (50) foot baselines.  The pitcher's circle will be centered thirty-five (35) feet from home plate and will have a ten (10) foot diameter.  Halfway markers will be drawn between all bases, except between home and first base.  An arc will be drawn ten (10) feet from home plate, extending from the first base line to the third base line. An outfield fence line will be drawn 115 feet from home plate.  Any hit ball which travels beyond the 115 foot line in fair territory is automatically a ground rule double.

EQUIPMENT

1.       All players must wear regulation uniform.  Jersey, cap and socks issued by Fairfield Sports.  All players on a team must be wearing the same color baseball pants.

2.       Sneakers/cleats must be worn, no exceptions.

3.       No jewelry.

4.       All batters, on deck batters, catchers and base runners must wear helmets.

T-BALL RULES

  1. A complete game consists of five (5) innings.  A new inning may not be started after an elapsed game time of one hour fifteen minutes.  Any inning started shall be played to completion regardless of time.  In the event time does not allow for the playing of a complete game, the final score shall be as of the last complete inning. In the event of a tie score at the completion of five innings or elapsed time, the game results shall be recorded as a tie.  
  2. Defensive teams will consist of ten (10) players.  Four of these players will be outfielders and one player will be a catcher.  A team may start a game with 8 players.  The 9th and 10th players must go into the game when they arrive.  In the event a team is short players, the coach may choose to vacate any position.
  3. Teams will bat in the order in which the players appear on the team roster.  The entire roster will bat regardless of whether or not a player is currently playing a defensive position.
  4. The ball will be hit off an approved batting tee, to which no alterations may be made.  The tee will be set on home plate and the ball will be placed on the tee.  The coach of the team that is batting may adjust the tee to suit the batter.  This coach must also remove the tee from the home plate area before a runner rounding third is half way to home plate.  Any base runner that passes the halfway mark between third and home before the tee is removed will be automatically out (no appeal can be made).
  5. The pitcher must be inside the pitching circle when the ball is hit or a defensive penalty will be called (i.e. the play goes over with no penalty to the batter unless he gets a hit, in which case the hit will stand.
  6. Teams may have a first and third base coach and a coach at home plate when their team is at bat.  The home plate coaches will have10 seconds to position a batter in the batter's box.  At the end of the allowed time the umpire will instruct the coach to avoid further contact.  The batter will be called out if the coach continues to touch the batter after the time limit.  A base runner will be called out if the first or third base coach touches him while the ball is in play.  A defensive coach is allowed to stand in foul territory beyond the infield limits behind both first and third bases.  All other coaches must remain inside the dugout.
  7. Each team has 2 minutes from the last out of an inning or 1/2 inning to take their respective positions of play so play may resume.  The 2 minutes begin with the third out of the previous inning or half innings.  PENALTY:  After 2 minutes the umpire must declare PLAY BALL.  If the offensive team is ready and the defensive team is not, a warning will be given, if the defense is not ready 30 seconds later, the batter will be awarded first base.  This procedure will be continued until the defense is ready.  If the defense is ready and the offense is not, a strike will be called every 15 seconds until the offense is ready to play.  If neither team is ready, the responsibility is on the defense and the same penalty will be called as if the defense is not ready.  This time will only be extended if a player injury or damage to equipment occurs and has a direct impact on a team being able to play.
  8. Players will not be allowed to "roll" the ball to first or any base in an attempt to retire the batter/runner.
  9. A roster of players will be exchanged before each game by both head coaches.  This roster will also represent the team's batting order.
  10. Every player must play at least every other inning.  Every player must play the infield (pitcher, first base, second base, shortstop, third base) a minimum of one inning per game.  A player can not play the same position for 2 consecutive innings and may not play any position more than 2 innings per game.
  11. If a player arrives at any time after the game has started, he will be added to the bottom of the roster.
  12. If a base runner is injured and unable to run, the team must use the last batter that was out to replace the injured base runner.
  13. Games may be called if the fields are not playable due to mud, standing water, adverse weather warnings in the area or lightning in the area.
  14. Games may be called before they have started by the Baseball Commissioner. After the game has started the umpire has the authority to call the game.
  15. A team is permitted to have a maximum of three (3) activities per week.  An activity is defined as a game, practice, scrimmage, or any other activity at which player attendance is expected.

COACHES

  1. Coaches are responsible for the conduct of their players, their parents, friends of the team, and their own conduct, both on and off the field at practices and games.
  2. Good sportsmanship is required at all times.  Foul language and inappropriate behavior is not permitted.
  3. All reasonable efforts should be made to start games at the scheduled starting time.
  4. An adult (preferably a coach) must be in the dugout with the players at all times.
  5. Coaches must not leave the playing area after games or practices until all players have departed with a parent.

Back