Bentworth Youth Baseball

T-Ball Instructional Play Rules 2018

1.       1. Games are to be 75 minutes in length, play as many complete innings as possible. 

2.      2.  Continuous batting order.

3.      3.  Three outs or all players bat.

4.      4.  There are no umpires.  Coaches who are on the field will serve as the umpires.  A coach (defense or offense doesn’t matter) must be behind home plate.

5.      5.  One player at each infield position (no catcher), all other players must remain behind the 75 ft. line until the ball is hit.

6.      6.  A maximum of 5 outfielders may be played (for the tournament only).  Unlimited number of outfielders during regular season.

7.      7.  The infielder at the pitcher position must remain within the 10 ft. circle until the ball is hit.  Any ball that is altered by the coach is a dead ball.  The batter is awarded first base and any runners advance on base.

8.      8.  Coaches are allowed on the field, but should not interfere with ball/play.  A maximum of 4 coaches allowed on the field (does not include one behind home plate).

9.      9.  The team that is batting is allowed a base coach at each base in order to instruct base runners.  They are not allowed to physically manipulate the runners in any way.

10.  10.  Base runners can only advance the number of bases as the batter reaches.  (Example:  If the batter gets a single, the base runners can only advance one base.  If the batter hits a double, the base runners can advance two bases.)

11.  11.  Any ball that is hit in the air beyond the 75 ft. line is an automatic double.  The batter goes to second base and any base runners advance two bases.  (If the ball is caught by a defensive player, the batter is out and any runners may advance at their own risk.)

12.  12.  Any ball that is hit in the air beyond the 110 ft.  line is a homerun.

13.  13.  The batter can earn a double (at their own risk) if the batted ball is a clean hit and advances past the 75 ft. line.  A clean hit is defined as a batted ball (on the ground or in the air) that doesn’t touch a fielder’s glove, the fielder themselves or go between their legs before it crosses the 75 ft. line.  Base runners are allowed to advance two bases (at their own risk) at this point.

14.  14.  Because there is no catcher, a batted ball must cross the 12 ft. line to be in play.  Any batted ball that doesn’t cross the line is a foul ball.

15.  15.  Any throw home must beat the runner to home plate and must be thrown to the coach at home plate (batter’s box) in the event of a potential putout (a force out or tag out scenario).  The box is defined as the space over the plate and within the 12 inches on either side to the batter’s box white lines.  (i.e. Coach should not have to run around to catch the ball.)  Player must throw the ball to the coach at home plate for a play, no rolling permitted.  The runner is determined to be out or safe by the umpire (coach) at home plate.

16.  16.  The distance from home plate to the center of pitching circle is 35 feet.

17.  17.  A half way line between third and home will determine whether a runner is attempting to advance.  Once a runner is past the mark, they are committed to home. (Except on a fly ball that is caught, then runner may return to third.)

18.  18.  Coaches have the option to pitch to each batter.  Each batter will be given a total of three (3) pitches.  If the batter doesn’t put the ball in play after three pitches, then they will hit from the tee.  Once a player is pitched to, they must be pitched to for the remainder of the game.

19.  19.  The coach doing the pitching must have at least one foot within the circle when delivering the pitch.

20. 20.   Tournament rules are determined by the host organization prior to the start of the tournament.  They may include additions or alterations to the rules listed above – as approved by the MVBA league representatives.