Local Rules for Rockville Baseball League/Tee Ball Division- 2017

General Statement of Policy: The purpose of this policy is to outline the local rules for the Tee Ball Division of the Rockville Baseball League. These local rules are modifications and/or expansions upon existing general baseball and Cal Ripken specific rules. Cal Ripken Baseball rules will govern play unless directly addressed in this policy.

Objective: Our primary objective for all players, coaches, parents and other spectators associated with the Rockville Tee-Ball League is to have fun. As part of this, coaches and parents are asked to help teach the players the importance of teamwork and sportsmanship. Coaches will also provide the players with instruction on some of the fundamentals of baseball/tee ball.

Team/Games:There will be 10 tee ball teams consisting of 7-9 players per team. Opening day is scheduled for Saturday, April 1st. Each team will play the other teams at least once during the course of the season. Rainouts may or may not be re-scheduled depending on field availability.

Draft: There will NOT be a draft for T-Ball Division.

Concession: Each team will be responsible for working the concession stand up to three times during the course of the season. This will require the team to provide four trained adults to work the stand for a four-hour period. A schedule will be sent out to each team with their assigned dates/times to work the concession stand. One person will need to be trained on using the equipment before the season starts.

Field Maintenance: The home team must rake and line the field if necessary prior to the start of the game, and bring out the bases and the Tee. Following the game, the visiting team will complete any needed maintenance to the field. They also are responsible for putting away the bases and any other game related equipment. Both teams will be responsible for ensuring the dugout areas are clean and free of any trash/debris. Coaches will be supplied keys to the equipment and tool/lime rooms.

Equipment: Each team will receive an equipment bag containing catcher’s equipment and two dozen t-balls (one dozen to be used for practices and one dozen to be used when you are the home team for a game). Tees will be available at the field. The items in the bag have been inventoried and are in good condition. The coaches will be responsible to ensure all equipment is placed in their bag and that it is returned promptly after your last game of the season. Please report any lost or broken items to Chad Kiester.

Game Length: Games should run no longer than 75 minutes. After the 2nd inning all batters will hit off the Batting Tee (unless the coaches agree there is clearly enough time to continue pitching). This will speed the game up and hopefully everyone will play at least 3 innings. Games should start on time with a 5-minute grace period.

Game Rules: No score will be kept

Pitching

  • A coach from the batting team will pitch three balls to the batter (from a distance of 20ft) during the first and second innings of each game. If after the third pitch the ball is not hit into the field of play, the ball will be placed on a tee for the batter. A foul ball on the third pitch will constitute another pitch. In the third inning, all hitting should be done off the batting tee (NOTE: Coaches may agree to continue pitching if there is enough time remaining).
  • Poor quality of pitches from the coach may constitute additional pitches. The head coach should monitor the situation however, to ensure that the pace of play is adequate. If the quality of pitches is consistently poor, the head coach should consider replacing the pitcher!
  • No stealing or bunting is allowed.

Hitting

  • All players will bat each inning, regardless of the amount of outs recorded in the inning.
  • If a player is called out, they should return to the bench. Continued running after a player is called out should not be allowed.
  • If a player throws the bat, the coach pitching should immediately warn the player. If it continues to be a problem, coaches may consider calling the player out.
  • Batters will advance only one base on each hit, regardless of how far it is hit, except on the last batter of each inning. After the last batter puts the ball in play, all base runners should continue to run until they touch home plate, including the batter. The defensive team should get the ball to their catcher. In this case, the play is at home. All defensive players should remain on the field in their positions until all base runners have advanced home. The lineup must be rotated so that each player gets a chance to be the last hitter and circle the bases.
  • Balls hit in front of home plate that are barely dribbled a foot or two from home plate should be considered foul balls and the batter is allowed another swing. It is recommended to draw an arc from foul line to foul line about 8-10 feet in front of home plate when you line the fields, or just use your best judgment if no line is there.

Defense

  • All positions should be played and there is no doubling of players in any infield position. If a team has 10 players, they should have four outfielders. If a team has 11 players, it is recommended that player serve as a fifth outfielder. The outfielders should be at least ten feet behind the baselines, and/or at the edge of the grass.
  • The player designated as their team’s pitcher should stand behind the coach pitcher, either to the left or right.
  • The player designated as their team’s catcher must wear all safety equipment supplied. A coach/assistant coach should stand with the catcher to assist. The catcher should stand a safe distance away from someone hitting off the Batting Tee.

Base-running

  • Players cannot steal and must have at least one foot on the base until the ball is put into play.
  • Players cannot advance on an overthrow
  • Players should be encouraged not to slide into any base (safety reasons)

Coaches

  • It is encouraged that the head coach and any assistant coaches/parents be used to help on both offense and defense.
  • On offense, one coach will pitch and it is suggested that assistant coaches/parents be at first and third. Having one at second base is optional. A coach/parent should also be in the dug out to help out with the batting order, helmets, bats, etc.
  • On defense, one coach/parent should assist the catcher, and it is suggested that at least two other coaches/parents be on the field to help the defensive team once the ball is put into play.

Uniforms:

  • Players will be provided shirts, socks and hats. Teams may elect to wear similar pants depending on the desire of the coach.