P.Y.A.A T - BALL RULES

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1 Revised ARTICLE 1: Overview 1. Tee-Ball is strictly instructional and designed to be above all things fun for the players, parents and coaches. The objective at this level is to ensure that every player have a safe and enjoyable playing experience and to teach the children the fundamentals of baseball and sportsmanship. The emphasis is placed on developing a basic understanding of the game. This is a non-competitive program. Winning is positively the least important item. Each player should be evaluated on his or her own effort and attitude. Positive re-enforcement is key at this level; no player can be a failure at this level. A rewarding and positive introduction to the game of baseball can insure the player s future interest in the game and the support of parents through the higher levels of the P.Y.A.A. Baseball Program. 2. Tee-Ball coaches are responsible for instructing their young players in the basics of batting, fielding, throwing and running the bases: as such, all children must be given an equal opportunity to play all the positions during the season. Opposing coaches should work together during games and offer advice and guidance to players of both teams. We do not keep score or post standings. Some coaches may wish to count their teams defensive outs as a way of gauging fielding progress throughout the season. 3. Coaches, parents and spectators are expected to conduct themselves as mature adults. Remember that children of 4 or 5 are very impressionable and will mimic the behavior of adults. Coaches should take the opportunity to set an example for sportsmanship and teamwork. 4. The PYAA Code of Conduct will be strictly enforced. Articles 1.02, and of the PYAA Junior League Baseball Bylaws, which govern conduct. ARTICLE II: Equipment 1. Uniforms; all players should be encouraged to wear their uniforms properly for game play, which includes shirts tucked into the trousers and hat brims facing forward for safety. Players should be encouraged to wear long pants to prevent skinned knees. 2. Gloves; all players must wear a glove when playing the field. Players must supply their own fielder s glove. 3. The ball used at this level is a softer safety ball version of a regulation baseball, which greatly reduces the potential for serious injury. Hard balls are not to be used in games or practices. 4. Bats; bats used for games and practice should be typical Tee-Ball style wood or aluminum bats with a maximum length of 28 and maximum barrel size of 2 ¼.

2 Players may use personal bats that conform to the above requirements. All bats should have taped grips to reduce incidence of slipping or throwing. Only one player at a time may handle a bat and must be supervised continuously while holding the bat. 5. Tee; the tee is placed in the player s strike zone between the waist and chest, directly atop home plate or slightly forward. 6. Shoes with metal cleats are forbidden. Tennis shoes or rubber sole cleats are recommended. 7. Protective cups are not required 8. Batting tee s, helmets, and teeballs are located in the lock boxes 9. At the conclusion of the game, all P.Y.A.A. equipment must be returned to the same equipment box it was taken out of. ARTICLE III: Field Preparation 1. Coaches for both teams (first games of the day/evening) will prep the field (getting batting tee, getting teeballs, placing the bases (if needed), and getting batting helmets). 2. Bases are approximately 45 ft from each other (15 step) 3. Last teams playing games during that day are responsible for clean-up around their bench-area and the field ARTICLE IV: Game Procedures 1. A maximum of THREE (3) games or practices may be scheduled in any on calendar week. Games will be a maximum of three innings with no new inning starting after 50 minutes. Players/coaches will try to relinquished no less than 5 minutes prior to the start of the next game. 2. Incomplete games will not be rescheduled. (2 full innings or time limit) 3. Each batter gets to bat every inning. The batting order should be rotated each inning. Players on offense that are not batting or on a base should sit on the bench. There is no on-deck circle 4. Scores and standings are not kept. 5. Each team should field 7 players. If you do not have 7 players then pull players from the opposing team. If both teams cannot field 7 players then play the game with the players you have.

3 6. All players play defensively, either in the infield or outfield. The infield positions are pitcher, catcher, first base, second base, shortstop and third base. The remaining players should be spaced evenly in the outfield. 7. Each player should be given an opportunity to play infield and outfield positions each game. 8. A bucket is permitted next to the pitcher s mound to hold balls. 9. To speed up play, each pitch should not be returned to the pitching coach; instead, balls should be collected by the catching coach or player catcher during the at bat and returned to the pitcher in between batters. 10. Please start your game on-time. Do not have warm-ups beyond your scheduled starting time. 11. Time may be called at any point in the game by any of the coaches of either team. 12. Substitute runners shall be used only in case of injury or emergency. 13. No unauthorized persons shall be permitted on the field while play is underway (including non-coaching parents). Parents must accompany their child to and from after coach has escorted them from the field (coach will not let child go if parent has not got them) 14. All coaches are responsible for calling fair/foul balls and outs. 15. There will be no appeals of coaches' calls or protests permitted in this league. 16. If any of the rules of the Tee Ball League are flagrantly violated, the opposing Coach may appeal to the League Director for review. ARTICLE V: General Playing Rules 1. Batter: a. In the first two innings, batters may receive four (4) coaches pitched balls in an attempt to hit (coach s discretion on who receives the pitched balls). If the batter does not hit the ball after four pitches, the tee will be placed for the child to hit. There are no walks or strike outs. b. In the third inning (if time allows), the batters will use the tee to hit the ball (no coach pitching) c. Once the batter hits the ball they should run no further than second base (if able)

4 d. Bunting or intentional easy swings is prohibited. e. If a batter bats out of turn, the game shall continue with the batting order return to normal as possible with all players batting only once in the inning. f. The tee should be immediately removed from the area of the plate by the coach when the ball is struck, put in play, and when the runner from 3 rd base is running home. g. A batter is out if: They do not wear a protective helmet (after one warning) They are tagged by a fielder or caught in the air by a fielder They are forced out by a defensive play The player throws the bat such that both ends lie a distance of six feet from the center of the plate. (after one warning) 2. Base Runners: a. There is no stealing, lead-offs or sliding into base. b. On balls hit, a runner may only advance two bases at maximum. There is no advance on an overthrow c. The last batter in rotation is required to circle the bases (home run) and does not have to stop running when ball is thrown into the infield. d. The infield fly rule does not apply. e. If a runner is hit by the ball he or she is not out. f. A runner is out if: They do not wear a protective helmet (after one warning) They are tagged by a fielder They are forced out by a defensive play 3. Defense: a. Teams may play without a catcher if fielding eight to ten players b. No child should be forced to play an infield position that they do not want to play. Be cognizant that the 1st base position demands a slightly higher fielding ability and some young players may become discouraged if they have not yet developed the skills to mater the position. The 1st base coach must also give proper instruction to the 1st baseman regarding stance to avoid collisions or interference with the runner. c. All defensive plays will go to the nearest base in an attempt to get an out. When the ball is secured by an infielder, the play will end and the ball will either be thrown to the adult pitcher or the catcher. d. Catcher must wear helmets with a facemask at all times and will remain near the backstop until ball is put into play. After it is hit and the bat has been dropped, the catcher can stand in front of home plate to retrieve the ball from the fielder. e. Pitcher must wear a helmet with mask and stand in the typical pitching position

5 4. Coaching: a. Two (2) adult base coaches are allowed, as long as there is at least one coach near the dugout. b. One (1) adult coach shall pitch the ball and operate the tee and determine whether the ball is fair/foul. c. The head coach is responsible for maintaining order on the sideline and keeping equipment and players behind the fence or in the dugout area. 5. Miscellaneous & Other Specific Rules a. When weather conditions are in doubt, both teams should arrive for play. Play will be immediately halted if lightning is in the area or thunder is heard and be postponed for 20 minutes (only if the game has 30 minutes or more left to play). If there is less than 30 minutes left to play, the game will be called. Any game that is not played to completion (time limit or at least two innings) based on weather will be reported to the league director for possible re-scheduling. b. Non-weather related postponements of regularly scheduled games must be agreed upon by both coaches and players must be notified at least one day in advance. All rescheduled games must be approved by the Director. c. Pre-game practice, players should be instructed to arrive at least 10 minutes before game time. Each team may take the field for 5 minutes of fielding practice before each game. Batting practice is not permitted on game days. d. No dangling jewelry allowed during practice/games (watches, hoop earrings, necklaces, rings) e. Please be on time to each game/practice. If you (parents/players/coaches) are not able to make it, please or call the coach to let him/her know. f. The roster will consist of all eligible players.