ESLL RESERVES THE RIGHT TO ASSIGN PLAYERS TO DIFFERENT DIVISIONS THAN THEIR AGE DICTATES. THESE DECISIONS MAY BE BASED ON SAFETY ISSUES, ABILITY LEVELS, OR OTHER FACTORS AS DETERMINED BY THE LEAGUE. For information on how Little League determines baseball age, click HERE
Tee Ball Division (Ages 4-6)
1. SCHEDULED GAME START TIME: All games shall begin promptly at the scheduled start time. If a team is unable to field at least 5 players by the game’s scheduled start time, then the game will be rescheduled by both managers agreement. If the game cannot be rescheduled, the game will be canceled.
2. GAME PLAY: The T-Ball game will be a 8 vs 8 game. If there are 9+ players on a team, a 4th outfielder can play.
3. CURFEW: No new inning shall begin after 1 hour from the start time. If a new inning starts every attempt should be made to complete the inning so both teams have the same number of at-bats.
4. LENGTH OF GAMES: All games will be complete if any of the below occurs…
a. Six innings have been played
b. 1 hour and 15 minutes have passed since the start of the game, no matter the spot in the inning, latitude should be allowed, if necessary to give every player the chance to bat twice.
c. The Board Member or Team Managers shortens the game due to weather, 2 inning minimum.
5. SCOREKEEPING – Score will not be kept during the game and no standings will be recorded.
6. RUN RULE: No run rule is in effect, due to all offensive players batting each half inning (rule #11).
7. LENGTH BETWEEN INNINGS: Teams shall change positions as rapidly as possible at the end of each inning. Play should resume within 1 minute after the last out of the previous half inning.
8. RAIN-OUTS: Rain-out games shall be rescheduled by the League.
9. COACHES: Each team is allowed 1 manager and 2 dugout coaches. Base coaches will consist of 2 adults. Each team must have a minimum of 2 coaches on the field defensively.
10. UMPIRES: There will be no league provided umpires. Each team will umpire their own game opposite their respective dugout. The home team will umpire 1st and 2nd base while the visiting team will umpire 3rd base and home. The stoppage of play will be the responsibility of the team at bat.
11. BATTING ORDER: Each team will use a continuous batting order with all players playing defensively. A player who arrived after the start of the game will be inserted at the bottom of the batting order. Each half inning, all offensive players will bat. After this has occurred, the teams will switch and the defensive team will take their time at bat. The batting order will begin with the #1batter and end with the last batter. At the next at-bat, the batting order reverses giving the last batter the first at-bat in that inning.
12. BATTER and TEE: The coach or manager can position the tee and batter as long as the tee remains in contact with home plate. If the batter requires assistance to put the ball in play, the coach or manager may assist the batter after the batter has attempted several swings.
a. All batters will hit off a tee (no coach pitch) for the 1st 4 weeks of the season.
b. After the 4th week of games the coach can pitch, but no more than 3 pitches, if after 3 pitches the batter does not hit the ball then the batter must hit off the tee.
13. OUTS: Outs will be recorded. In the event 3 outs occur prior to the team getting to bat the full lineup, the bases will be emptied, and the same team continues to bat. The players will get the idea that outs have occurred, and they do mean something.
14. PLAYERS: The T-Ball division is for league age 4-6 players.
15. MANDATORY PLAY: All players will play on defense. Each player may only play 1 inning at each position during the game.
16. INFIELD FLY: The infield fly rule is not in effect.
17. DEFENSIVE FIELDERS:
a. Infielders may not play in front of an imaginary line extending from first base to third base until the ball has been put into play.
b. There is no maximum outfielder requirement. Outfielders must remain in the grass behind the infield at all times unless assisting on a play. They cannot interfere with the base runners.
c. The pitcher cannot make an unassisted put-out at first base must throw the ball to the first baseman. The pitcher can, however, make plays unassisted at any other base including home.
d. Infielders consist of a pitcher, first baseman, second baseman, third baseman, and shortstop. The remaining players are positioned in the outfield.
18. STOPPAGE OF PLAY: Play will continue until the lead runner is stopped and/or the ball is attempted to be thrown to the pitcher while the pitcher is close to the pitcher’s circle, the pitcher does not have to catch or control the ball. All runners that reached a halfway mark will be allowed to obtain the next base if that base is empty. If the ball is live and a play is made on a runner who has reached the halfway mark, the runner is at risk of being put out.
19. BASE RUNNERS: No steals are allowed. Runners may not leave the base until the ball is hit or crosses home plate. There is no advancing on overthrows in the infield.
20. DUGOUT ASSIGNMENTS: The Home team will occupy the 3rd base dugout while the Visiting team will occupy the 1st base dugout.
21. PROTESTS: No protests will be allowed in the T-Ball division. If an incident occurs, one or both managers should locate or call a Board Member for resolution.
22. ON-DECK BATTER: No on-deck batter is allowed. Players must remain in the dugout and are not allowed to swing bats in the dugout.
23. BUNTS: Bunts are not allowed.
24. SCOREKEEPER, PITCH COUNTER, SCOREBOARD OPERATOR, & FIELD MAINTENANCE:
a. Both teams are responsible for picking up the trash in their respective dugouts.
25. INJURY REPORT: An injury report must be filled out for every injury, no matter how minor. Forms can be found in the concession area or ask the Board Member on Duty. The incident must be reported to the league Safety Manager within 24 hours of the injury.
Disclaimer
- Any other rule not specified on this list adheres to the little league rule book.
If interested in a electronic/hard copy of these rules, please email [email protected] with subject "T-Ball Rules."