T-Ball Division Ground Rules

Bellaire Little League expects each player to have a safe and enjoyable learning experience. The emphasis in T-Ball is placed on developing a basic understanding of the game. This is a non-competitive program. Winning is positively the least important item. One player's ability should never be compared to another's. Each player should be evaluated on his or her own effort and attitude. Positive re-enforcement is a must at this level; no player can be a failure at 4 or 5 years old.

1.  Field Preparation, Pre-Game, Post-Game, Dress Code, Scheduling, and Touches

• Weekly Touches: During the regular season, except for rain outs and other rescheduled games, each team will be limited to no more than (2) touches per week.
• Home team occupies third base bench.
• PLAYERS MUST WEAR UNIFORM PANTS.
• PLAYERS MUST WEAR SNEAKERS OR CLEATS. No sandals/open-toed shoes.
• Each team will also provide a new ball ("Incredi-ball" soft core) for the game. Visitors should assist the home team in preparing the field.
• Managers will be held responsible to clean up their respective side of the field following practices and games (including trash). It is the responsibility of the managers to get their equipment and players out of the dugout immediately after the game.
• It will be the responsibility of the managers to reschedule all games. Please check with the TBall Rep for field availability
• Batters must wear helmets with full facemasks.

2.  Coaching, Coach Positions and Dugouts

• Bellaire Little League would like to see managers working together during games, with the goal of providing the best possible learning environment.
• Managers are expected to help "police" the base paths
• Base coaches should notify defensive coaches when an unsafe situation exists on the base paths. Defensive coaches should be aware that they may be notified of this situation from time to time by the offensive coaches and should not take offense at these notifications.
• Managers should resist physically moving the players, but instruct them where to stand so they are not in the base path.
• Managers should be positioned around the field to help instruct players.
• Managers should NOT stop a live ball with their foot.  Players who hit the ball hard want to see the ball go far, do not stop a live ball to make it easier on your defense.
• The manager is responsible for the conduct of his/her team players, spectators and coaches.
• Poor sportsmanship will not be tolerated.
• There is no on deck circle. Players must remain in the dugout until it is their turn to bat.
• Players shall not pick up a bat until it is their turn to hit.
• Each team should have a dugout coach who keeps track of the batting order and ensures batters are ready to hit when it is their turn in the order.

• Tobacco, Alcohol & Profanity: The use of tobacco in any form is prohibited on the playing field, benches and dugouts. Smoking is not permitted on League facilities. The use of alcoholic beverages or profanity is prohibited anywhere at the League's baseball complexes.

3. Time Limit For Games

• No Score is kept for Tball
• The official game start time is the scheduled start time.
• The game consists of a time limit of 50 minutes.
• No new inning will start after 45 minutes of play.
• Only I minute will be given to each team between innings to get ready offensively and defensively.
• The home team shall be allowed to bat in the bottom of the last inning.

4. Batters – Pitches, Batter Safety, and Batting Order

• If, in a game a batter throws or wildly swings his bat after hitting (or attempting to hit) the ball to the extent, that his coach believes other players are endangered, time-out will be called and the coach will discuss the infraction with the batter.
• The tee will be used for the entire season, no coach pitching will be allowed in games for any players.
• A continuous batting order will be used. The batting order will consist of all eligible players.
• It is suggested that the line-up is rotated from game to game so that the bottom of the line-up batters are not always stranded on the bases and that everyone gets the opportunity to score and advance all bases throughout the season.
• The home team shall be allowed to bat in the bottom of the last inning prior to the 50 minute time restriction.
• The batter and each runner will always wear protective helmets with full facemasks.
• At the T-Ball level, we use a safety ball (e.g., the "Incredi-ball"), which has greatly reduced the potential risk of injury
• There is no on deck circle. Players must remain in the dugout until it is their turn to bat.
• Players shall not pick up a bat until it is their turn to hit.
• All Bats should be placed together just outside of the dugout away from the players.
• Every batter hits each inning.
• The last batter will have a “home run” and will run around the bases.
• Rotate the last batter each inning so other kids get to have home runs.
• Rotate the batting order before each game.

5. Runners

No base-stealing is permitted. Players are allowed to slide, but head first sliding is not allowed.

• Once the ball reaches the infield, runners may not advance (possession by an infielder not necessary); runners halfway to the next base may advance to the base at risk of being put out.
• Runners may not advance on an overthrow.
• Ball hit to the outfield can result in multiple bases.  (coaches, please do not stop balls with your foot that are heading to the outfield)

6. Defense – Number of Players & Positioning

• The first baseman should stand in front of the base runner on first base
• Base coaches should notify defensive coaches when an unsafe situation exists on the base paths. Defensive coaches should be aware that they may be notified of this situation from time to time by the offensive coaches and should not take offense at these notifications.
• Players should be encouraged to make the proper play, e.g., pitcher throws to first base rather than running it himself/herself or rolling the ball.
• Outfielders must stay out of the area designated for the infielders, approximately 10 to 15 feet behind the base path. Four infielders plus pitcher in the infield - all others in outfield.
• Play stops when the ball is returned to the infield. The infielder need not have control of the ball. (in the event a runner is more than halfway to next base, allow him/her to advance.)
• No catcher position will be played
• Remaining players will play the outfield positions. They must be positioned in the outfield area.
• No player shall be allowed to play the same position for more than one inning per game, and every player should play an infield position at least (1) inning per game.
• A player may play pitcher and first base one inning each game, e.g. pitcher 1st inning and 1st base in the 2nd inning.

7.  No Scoring and No Records

• No scoring will be recorded during the games
• No records will be kept throughout the TBall season

9. Mandatory Play Rules

• Each player should have the opportunity to play each position equally
• Each manager should develop a rotation based on the 5 infield positions, which will give each player the same opportunity to play each position equally if they attend the games and practices
• The 5 infield rotation is not for a game-by-game basis, but a "for the year" requirement.
• It is the obligation of the manager to rotate all players between the infield and outfield. Your players should play every position on the team and no player shall play outfield for more than two consecutive innings.
• Keep records so that you track players by position played during the season to ensure that he/she plays all positions equally in comparison with the rest of the team.
• No player shall be allowed to play the same position for more than one inning per game, and every player should play an infield position at least (1) inning per game.
• A player should not be allowed to play an infield position when in the opinion of the Manager, the player may be at risk of injury solely because of lack of skills. The Manager must present this option to the player's parents and the T-Ball League Rep.
• A player may play pitcher and first base one inning each game, e.g. pitcher 1st inning and 1st base in the 2nd inning.
• A manager should ensure that a player rotation carries over from game to game and different players play 1st base and pitcher.
• It is suggested that the line-up is rotated from game to game so that the bottom batters are not always stranded on the bases and that everyone gets the opportunity to score and advance all bases.

All other Little League rules apply. Refer to the Little League rulebook for any situation that may arise. (BLL local rules revised 10/2019)