What To Expect – TBALL

Tee Ball Rules

Tee Ball is the introductory stage for most children to the world of organized baseball team play. Children who are five or six years of age by September 1, will only play in the Tee Ball Division. At age seven they move on to the Mini-Minor Division. Tee Ball play is marked by a high degree of hands-on instruction by managers, coaches and assisting parents. The rules are designed to give each player the maximum opportunity to succeed at hitting and running, and to play the ball in defensive positions. The games are short and the rules are relatively simple, however teaching baseball to young children requires a good deal of patience and understanding on the part of adults involved.

Team Selection: Tee Ball players are randomly assigned to teams, with an equal number of players of the same age being placed on each team. Player requests may be granted at the discretion of the Tee-Ball Director. 

Scorekeeping: Game scores and runs shall note be counted in Tee Ball. Managers, coaches and parents should discourage any scorekeeping during a game. 

Game length: Until May long weekend, games will be three innings; after that date they will be four innings. Games may be called due to weather, darkness or some other good cause. Games will always be considered complete regardless of the inning in which they end.

Inning Length: Each team will remain at bat until all players have had one turn at bat. The coach will call “last batter” at the end of the batting order. After the last player has hit, the ball should be fielded in the normal manner and thrown to the catcher. The catcher will then step on home plate and the coach will declare the inning over.

Parent Assistant Coaches: Parents will only be allowed on the field to assist if they are registered with the league as an assistant coach. This is required for insurance purposes and must be followed.

Defensive Play

Coaches: There will be two defensive coaches on the field to assist the outfield and infield players learn their position and the game rules. Time should be called by the coach if you wish to demonstrate a technique or make an explanation to a player.

Field Positions: All players will be placed on the field. Seven in the infield, the remainder distributed evenly in the outfield. All players are to play proper field positions. Outfielders are to remain in the outfield (behind the infielders).

Pitcher: The pitcher will stay on the pitcher’s mound until the ball is hit.

Player Rotations: Players will be rotated through all defensive positions on a roughly equal basis. A sample rotation sheet is available from the Director of Tee Ball.

Offensive Play
Coaches: There will be two offensive (base) coaches on the field to assist base runners, one at first and one at third. Coaches may stand near a batter or player to assist and give advice but must not interfere with the play. If a Coach wishes to demonstrate a technique or make an explanation to a player, “Time” must be called by the coach.

Batting: All balls will be hit from a batting stand. Batters should be encouraged to stand square to the home plate and not to line the ball up more than one or two times. All batters will bat once in each inning. All players will be cautioned not to throw the bat. As the season moves along, if a batter throws the bat after hitting, he or she shall be called out. 

Batter Rotation: Batters will be rotated through placement on the order on a roughly equal basis.

Base Running: Before May long weekend, no runner will be called out at any base. After May long weekend,, runners may be called out and have to return to the dugout. All close calls should be resolved in favour of the runner.

Base Hits General: A ball must travel over 2 meters to be considered a hit. If it falls short, it will be returned to the tee for a further hit. Base runners may not advance on returned hits.

Outfield or Infield Hits: Fielders will make a play with the ball (to first, second, etc.) and runners shall run to the next appropriate base. Play will stop after the ball has been fielded and one play is made. After that single play, the ball shall be returned to the catcher and play will resume with the next batter. Runners shall only be allowed to advance one base on any outfield or infield hit.