Almont Youth Baseball Association

Almont Youth Baseball Association

Supplemental Rules – T Ball Division

The goals of the Almont Youth Baseball Association for the T-Ball Division are based on an instructional motivation in that coaches are to teach, guide and encourage each and every child to learn the fundamentals of baseball. Towards that goal, the following supplemental rules are adopted;

1.0Umpiring

1.1It is the responsibility of both managers to act as an umpire authority for the children. The manager of the offensive team shall act as the umpire during their respective teams turn at bat.

1.2A scoring system has been implemented that provides the players motivation to understanding basic concepts, however since this is an instructional league, no official score shall be kept and no standings posted.

2.0Coaching

2.1Managers and Assistant Coaches (maximum of two adults) shall be positioned on the field while their team is on defense.Managers and Coaches while on the field should keep players alert while a batter is at the tee.

2.2Managers and Coaches should be instructing players to maintain a ready position and give direction as to where the play is going.

2.3Managers and Coaches should lead by example. Praise them even while correcting them.

2.4An offensive Coach may stand by the batter to help instruct the batter with positioning, proper swing technique and setting the ball on the tee.

2.5An offensive Coach shall also be positioned in the pitchers circle to provide coach pitches.

2.6The offensive team will have a first and third base Coach.

3.0Playing Fields

3.1The playing field shall have 60-ft baselines.

3.2A pitcher’s mound shall be located 46 feet from home plate. A pitchers circle of 10-ft in diameter shall be placed around pitcher’s circle.

3.3Home plate shall have an 8-ft diameter circle in fair territory.

3.4Any hit that stops within the home plate circle shall be considered a foul ball.

3.5The pitcher must stay within the 10-ft diameter pitchers circle until the ball is struck by the batter.

4.0Batting

4.1Batter shall receive at least three (3) pitches from a designated coach pitcher from the same team. The pitch should be delivered in an under-hand motion so as to simulate the pitching machine trajectory players will experience at the next division level.

4.2If the batter does not strike the ball from three coach pitch opportunities, the batter may strike the ball mounted from a tee until a fair ball is struck.

4.3There will be no strikeouts for any batter.

4.4There will be no bunting allowed.

4.5The batter cannot carry or throw the bat outside the batter’s circle. If this should happen, the ball is called dead and the runners may not advance. The batter shall replay their turn at bat. They should receive guidance as to why the ball is not in play.

4.6Teams shall bat the entire roster of players. The side shall be retired when the entire offensive teams has batted regardless of how many players each team has on the bench at game time, how many runs are scored or how many outs are recorded.

4.7Coaches should use the last batter as a two out situation. This will start the process of instruction for the next division.

4.8The batting order shall be set before the game begins. The leadoff batter should be rotated to the end of the lineup every game. This gives each player a chance to leadoff and will help build confidence in the child. This will also help the coaches since the players will always follow the same previous player.

5.0Fielding

5.1Each team will field all players on the bench at game time. The positions shall include the following:

1 Pitcher
4 Infielders (First Base, Second Base, Short Stop & Third Base)
1 Catcher
Remaining players will play in the outfield or behind the infielders as a back up.

5.2No fielder shall maintain a position closer than the pitchers circle.

5.3Pitcher must wear a helmet with a face guard.

5.4Defensive players should be encouraged to throw the ball to either the first baseman or to the pitcher, since in the next level (Rookie Division) the play is judged dead and time called when either an out is made or the pitcher has control of the ball in the pitchers circle.

6.0Base Running

6.1Base runners may advance only after the batter has hit a fair ball. Leaving the base early will result in an out. Runners must learn this rule for future division play.

6.2If the offensive manager/umpire calls a dead ball, base runners may not advance.

6.3Base Coaches are not allowed to touch or push a base runner other than to congratulate a runner at first after a hit.

6.4Base Coaches should be instructing players on the bases, including second base. Coaches should also be instructing runners to keep their helmets on until they reach the dugout.

6.5No stealing will be allowed.

6.6No leading off will be allowed.

6.7No extra unearned bases will be allowed.

An infield hit will only be awarded one base.
An outfield hit will be allowed one extra base.
Base runners are not allowed to advance on an overthrown ball.

7.0Official Game

7.1T-Ball games have a time limit of 1 hour. Coaches should make maximum use of this time and allow as many innings as possible.

7.2Coaches should start the games on time to encourage parents and players to get in the habit of arriving early to the ball fields. This will allow you as a coach to make the best use of the time and give the kids maximum exposure to the game.

8.0General

8.1The home team shall utilize the dug out on the third base line and the visiting team shall utilize the dugout along the first base line. Home team designation shall be defined on the league schedule.

8.2A new inning should not start within 15 minutes of the game ending time to ensure both teams have an equal number of turns at bat.

8.3The game is played so that at the end of the game there are no losers because both teams are winners.

8.4Remember Coaches, for many players this will be their first experience with organized baseball, how you treat the players, other Coaches and spectators will be what they remember as normal and acceptable behavior.

8.5This is also an opportunity for instructing parents on how to behave during games.

Appendix A

If defensive player throws the ball and the ball makes it to the 5’ first base circle before the runner makes it to first base the team gets a ½ point.
If any fielder tagsa runner or touches any base involving a force out before the runner gets to the base, the defensive team receives 1 point.

Appendix B

Point System Break down:

Item / Point
P1.No team can receive more than the maximum amount indicated by AYBA per inning.
(Unless P3. is applied.) / 7
P2.If batter/runner is thrown out or tagged out, the team on the field receives point indicated.
Note: No runner/batter can be called out more than once during each inning. / 1
P3.If batter hits a fly ball and the defensive team catches the ball, the team receives point indicated. 1 point for the out and 1 for the catch. / 2
P4.When the ball is hit and the infielder makes the throw. The team can receive ½ point if the infielder make it into the 5’ circle (see Appendix A) before the runner reaches first base. / ½

Appendix C

Score Card

Home Team: / Date:
Away Team:
Home Plate Umpires:
No: / PLAYERS: / INNING 1: / INNING 2: / INNING 3: / TOTAL
1 / OUT / POINTS / OUT / POINTS / OUT / POINTS
2 / OUT / POINTS / Out / POINTS / OUT / POINTS
3 / OUT / POINTS / OU / POINTS / OUT / POINTS
4 / OUT / POINTS / OUT / POINTS / OUT / POINTS
5 / OUT / POINTS / OUT / POINTS / OUT / POINTS
6 / OUT / POINTS / OUT / POINTS / OUT / POINTS
7 / OUT / POINTS / OUT / POINTS / OUT / POINTS

Appendix D

Example - Score Card

Home Team: / Almont Raiders / Score: / 7
Away Team: / Detroit Tigers / Score:
Home Plate Umpires: / John Smith / Date: / 6/1/2016

HOME TEAM

No: / PLAYERS: / INNING 1: / INNING 2: / INNING 3: / TOTAL
1 / Tom Heineken’s / OUT / POINTS / OUT / POINTS / OUT / POINTS / ½
0 / 0 / 1/2
2 / Bob Bradour / OUT / POINTS / Out / POINTS / OUT / POINTS / 2
1 / 1 / 0
3 / Jeff Labatt’s / OUT / POINTS / OU / POINTS / OUT / POINTS / ½
1/2 / 0 / 0
4 / Andy Miller’s / OUT / POINTS / OUT / POINTS / OUT / POINTS / 3
1 / 1 / 1
5 / Kevin Budweiser’s / OUT / POINTS / OUT / POINTS / OUT / POINTS / 1
0 / 1 / 0
6 / Tom Heineken’s / OUT / POINTS / OUT / POINTS / OUT / POINTS / ½
0 / 0 / 1/2
7 / Bob Bradour / OUT / POINTS / Out / POINTS / OUT / POINTS / 2
1 / 1 / 0
8 / Jeff Labatt’s / OUT / POINTS / OU / POINTS / OUT / POINTS / ½
1/2 / 0 / 0

VISITOR TEAM