MEDIA GIRLS SOFTBALL

6U T-Ball Guidelines/Rules

2023

1. General T-ball game format

(a) T-ball games are three innings in duration (or an hour, whatever comes first).

(b) Each player bats every inning. Regardless of the fielding play made, the batter gets to stay on first base at the conclusion of his/her at bat.

(c) The batter swings until she hits the ball.  If she is really struggling, the coach can help her hit. 

2. Batting Team Rules and Safety

Balls

The league ball is an 11 inch incrediball.

Helmets

A batting helmet with cage/shield and a chinstrap shall be worn while batting and running the bases.

Bats

Only single walled, aluminum alloy, one piece construction bats are allowed.  The following bats are not allowed:

Composite bat of any type

Double wall bat

Hybrid bat

Half and half technology bat

Fiber/composite reinforced core or handle

Any bat that does not fit the description of a legal bat

Cleats

Metal cleats are not allowed.

(a) Players should be reminded to not swing bats unless they are up to bat.  In an actual game situation, no on-deck batter is allowed.  This is a safety issue.

(b) Whoever is supervising the batter is to hold onto the bat until he /she is ready for the batter to hit the ball. If the ball falls off the tee, take the bat out of batters hand. This will prevent the child from swinging the bat as you bend down to pick up the ball.

(c) Coaches should designate a parent to keep the batting team players behind a certain spot at within a safe distance away from home plate and the 1st/3rd base foul lines.

(d) All parents watching the game – please watch your players' siblings and make sure that you prevent them from running behind home plate (the BATTING TEE) or onto the field of play.

(e) Batting Stance and Swing. The batter's front (lead) foot should be at the break of the plate (i.e., where the sides start angling toward the back point). The coach should have each batter take some practice swings so that corrections can be made to the swing and foot positioning. When the coach is ready for the batter to hit, he/she should call out to the fielding team be in their ready fielding positions before placing the ball on the Tee.

(f) If a batter has an exceptional hit, such as a line drive into the outfield, the first base coach may use discretion and allow the batter to take additional bases.

(g) Every player will bat each inning. Head coaches should announce to the fielding team when the last batter of the inning is up.

(h) Coaches should have a parent/assistant coach as a first base coach and third base coach.

(i) Base Running. The batter should be encouraged to run through first base. T-ball runners stay on the base, even if an out is made.

(j) Distance: 50' bases and 30' pitching

4. Fielding Positions

(a) Recommended fielding positions: Infield: Pitcher, 1st Base, 2nd base, 3rd base, Shortstop, Outfield: Left Field, Left Center, Right Center, Right Field (if you have an outfield, make it more of a short field position to keep the players engaged in the game).

(b) Do not put anyone on the bench.  The whole team should be out on the field in different positions.

(c) Make sure to rotate players to all positions, use different strategies to mix it up. Outfielders should rotate to infield, etc.

(d) We strongly recommend having at least two parents or coaches on the playing field to help instruct the players to:

    •       be in the “ready position”. Encourage the players to watch the batter and the ball, rather than talking to each other.

    •       stay in the assigned position. Young players like to move around the field to where they think the ball is going to be hit. Encourage the players instead to stay in their assigned positions. This will reduce the incidence of players piling up on each going after the ball. Discourage children from going out of position to get the ball.

(e) Strongly discourage diving for the ball.  Have the players field the ball from their feet.

(f) You may have the players switch positions during the inning, but plan ahead with the switching and make the changes quickly, so that it does not delay the game.

5. Crowd Control

(a) All parents watching the game: please watch your players' siblings and make sure that you prevent them from running behind home plate (the BATTING TEE). Watch out for children running onto the field of play. Do not walk through the middle of the field to get from one side to another. Walk around the perimeter of the field.

(b) Coaches should designate a parent to keep the batting team players away from the field of play.

(c) At least 2 parents should be standing in the field of play to help direct the fielders and runners.

6. Coaching

(a) Plan your batting lineup and positions ahead of time, so as not to hold up the game.  This will help the game start on time and allow transitions to be smoother.  It helps to keep a running spreadsheet of batting order and positions, to make sure everyone gets a chance to play all positions. 

(b) Make sure to do a quick warm-up of running and throwing before the game starts.  Keep the kids organized when they throw (the kids will most likely be throwing with the coach and not each other.  Organize 2 – 3 lines with the kids across from the coach and practice throwing).  This will limit balls hitting other children. 

(c) Have fun!  This should be a fun learning experience for all.  Remember that you have an impact on these young girls’ lives.  Teach them all the important life lessons that go along with learning how to play team sports.