Tee Ball Rules

The Tee Ball Division of Alpine LL is generally for players league age 4 and 5.  The intent of the Tee Ball Division is to have the experience be exclusively instructional and that each child have a positive experience during their first years of baseball.  All competitive aspects of the game should be eliminated and winning and losing will not be recognized. Therefore, scores will not be kept and random positioning of players in the batting order and, within the limits of safety, liberal movement of players to different field positions is encouraged. Outs are not recorded. Reminder that these are very young players just beginning to learn a very complicated game.

GAME LENGTH

Typically players practice for 30 minutes prior to the start of the game. Teams should try to play 3 complete innings. However, no new inning should start after 1 hour of play.  A new inning starts immediately after the last out of the prior inning. 

Due to field capacity issues, Alpine LL is not obligated to reschedule games for Tee Ball.

PLAYER PARTICIPATION

Offense
All players bat each inning. No out should be accounted for. A batter that is out should remain on base or continue their base running.

Defense
There will be only 5 infield players (1B, 2B, 3B, SS and Pitcher). There is no Catcher position. The rest of the roster should be positioned in the outfield.  No players are to be left sitting on the bench.  Outfielders are not allowed in the infield. 

Managers/coaches should equalize playing time in the infield and outfield for all players throughout the season. Players shall be given the opportunity to play a variety of positions.

Note: The Pitcher position tends to get the most “action.” Coaches are encouraged to rotate this position every inning and game to give every player equal opportunities. 

HOW THE GAME IS PLAYED

Ball - The Tee Ball Division will be using a “soft tee ball” during practice and games. The use of hard balls is prohibited for this age group. 

Coach Role
Coaches of the defensive (fielding) team will handle all umpiring from their positions on the field during play. Coaches of the offensive (batting) team will work with their team’s batters as necessary to instruct players and will attempt to maintain a consistent pace of play.

Up to three coaches are allowed in the field during play to provide instruction and guidance to players. If a ball accidentally touches a coach, the ball shall remain a live ball. If a coach intentionally touches a ball, the ball shall be dead and the runners shall be allowed to take the base they were attempting to reach and one additional base.

An At-Bat

  • Play will begin when coaches in the field tell the batting team’s coach that they are “ready.” 
  • All batters must hit off of a tee. There shall be no pitching by players or coaches. This practice shall be in effect for the entire season.
  • A batted ball must cross the 10-foot arc around home plate to be a fair ball. The bat must come in contact with the ball to be considered fair.
  • There are no strikeouts, but at a coach’s discretion, a player may have a limited number of attempts (minimum of 3) to swing the bat independently, after which a coach may assist a player in making contact with the ball.


Baserunning

  • If a game is being played on a non-baseball field, the base distance should be set up as close to 45 feet as possible. 
  • Players may only advance one base at a time (singles only).  At discretion of coaches, an exceptional hit may allow runners to advance a maximum of two bases. The last batter of the inning will run all the bases (home run), clearing the base paths for the next team to bat. 
  • All runners must stay on base until the batter hits the ball. Runners never advance on fielding or throwing errors. There is to be no leadoff or stealing by the base runners. An advance to the next base can only take place when the ball is hit into fair territory.

Defensive Plays
Defensive plays should be rewarded by calling outs. Congratulate the batter or baserunner on their effort, but explain that they are out. This will accomplish several goals: teaching the game of baseball, encouraging effort when running the bases, giving the players a goal to achieve, and rewarding a good play. 

TEAM CONDUCT

  • Players, managers, and coaches from each team will meet at home plate after each game to shake hands.
  • Managers shall notify the Tee Ball Commissioner of any problems related to players, or parents.
  • Players shall participate in making sure the dugouts, fields and bleachers are free of all trash, and belongings following the game.

SAFETY

  • Players must wear batting helmets when batting and running the bases.
  • Batters throwing the bat are automatically out. This rule is administered by the coaches
  • As per Rule 1.08, on deck batters must remain in the dugout. No on deck circle is permitted and there must be no practice swings.
  • Coaches should bring an empty bucket to each game and set it up near home plate.  All players shall place their bats into the bucket before the game. Only the player who is at-bat is permitted to have a bat in their hands during the game. 

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