T Ball Playing Rules

  1. This tournament will follow the following rules.

  2. There will be 6 infielders: 1st Base, 2nd Base, Short Stop, 3rd Base, Catcher, and Middle Infielder (Pitchers position in most games). The middle infielder must be inside the pitching circle before each pitch.

  3. All teams must have 9 players to start a game. A team may finish with 8 players due to injuries.

  4. Innings: 5 innings 

  5. Fair Ball Arc - There will be a 20-foot arc drawn from 1st baseline to 3rd baseline in front of the plate. A ball must go past this line to be fair.

  6. Safety Arc - There will be a 30 foot arc drawn from 1st baseline to 3rd baseline in front of home plate. Infielders must stay behind this line until the ball is hit.

  7. 10 players will play in the field with 4 outfielders. The 4th outfielder may not be allowed to assume an infield position. All outfielders must stay in the outfield grass and can not make outs by tagging runners or bases. They can only record outs by making a throw to the base or catching a fly ball.

  8. The batting order shall constitute all players on the team roster at the beginning of the game. Later arrivals shall be inserted as the last batter. All players on the roster shall bat before returning to the top of the order.

  9. A maximum of 7 runs per inning or 3 ours.

  10. Mercy/Run Rule - 8 runs after the 4th inning is completed.

  11. Free substitution on defense. Batting order must remain the same.

  12. No bunting.

  13. A base runner is out for leaving the base before the ball is hit. Stealing is not allowed and no lead offs.

  14. One defensive coach is allowed in the outfield and must coach from that area. Defensive coaches may not enter the infield at any time unless approved by the umpire or an injury.

  15. NO intentional walks.

  16. Infield fly rule does not apply.

  17. Umpires will call "time" after every play and declare the ball dead. Players can ask for "Time" and should be called as soon as the lead runner is not attempting to advance or all runners have stopped. "Time" does not have to be called by the participants. Only infielders with possession of the baseball can ask for time.

  18. Overthrows - On an overthrow a batter or runner can TRY to advance only one base. The defense can try to record an out against the runner or batter trying to advance on the overthrow. In the event of a double overthrow - the ball will be declared dead by the umpire and one base will be awarded to the runner or batter.

  19. Pitching Circle - shall be 10 feet in diameter with the front edge at 42 feet from the back point of home plate. The defensive player listed as pitcher cannot leave the pitching circle until the ball is hit.

  20. A batter shall get 3 Swings to hit the ball fair/put in play or is declared out.

  21. No courtesy runners will be allowed.

  22. If a thrown ball hits a defense coach, play continues, please try to avoid this.

  23. No intentional rolling of the baseball when a play is being made - the ball must be thrown to a defensive player.

  24. Any manage, coach or team found try to deviate, mis-represent or stray from these rules and standards of the game of baseball will not be tolerated and the team may forfeit its games and no refunds will be given.

  25. Any playing rules not specifically covered above shall be reviewed by the umpire in chief, tournament directors and governed by the USSSA Baseball Handbook and the National League Rules for Major League Baseball.

  26. An approved T-Ball will be used.