TODD VALLEY SOFTBALL LEAGUE
OFFICIAL GIRLS 8 & UNDER COACH PITCH (T-Ball) RULES
2005
The umpires for the games are the responsibility of the home team or host. When both teams playing are on home fields, the host is the first team listed. In the event of a rainout or the need arises to change dates of scheduled games, please contact the opposing team coach well in advance to avoid confusion and to schedule an alternate date. All games must be played or considered a loss.
BASIC RULES FOLLOW:
1. Player eligibility -- 8 years and under, player must not reach 9 before January 1.
2. Coaches will pitch to their own players. The “T” will be used, if needed, after the third pitch. Any ball hit from the “T” or the pitch that does not go beyond 10 feet from the plate will be considered a strike. There should be a chalked circle to show the 10 foot designation.
3. A batter cannot be walked.
4. A batter hit by a pitched ball must advance to the first base.
5. Base length is 40 feet.
6. Pitching distance is 30 feet. There should be a chalked circle placed 10 feet around the pitcher’s mound.
7. All games will be played with no more than 10 and no less than 8 players on the field.
8. All offensive players on the bench will bat consecutively whether or not they are playing the field.
9. Five innings will be played unless the game is tied, if tied, continue, otherwise declare tie.
10. Either 3 outs or 5 runs or 8 consecutive batters determine an inning.
11. Time limit on games is one hour five minutes.
12. All teams must keep a scorebook in the event of a dispute over the game scores. The home team scorebook has final authority.
13. The pitcher must go through the motion of pitching when the ball is on the “T” before the batter swings. If the batter swings before the pitcher “pitches”, a strike is called.
14. Once the ball is on the “T”, there will be no warm up strikes. If a batter swings or lines the bat up to the ball, this will be called a strike. Any warm ups or line-ups should be done before the ball is placed on the “T”.
15. The pitcher must be on the pitcher’s mound until the batter in a “T” situation hits the ball. Failure to stay on the pitcher’s mound results in a free base for the batter.
16. A batter who throws her bat is out.
17. No base stealing.
18. Runners may advance until the pitcher has control of the ball within 10 feet of the pitcher’s mound. If a runner is not half way to the next base when the pitcher gets control of the ball, she must return to the previous base. If the runner is over halfway and the pitcher has control of the ball, the runner can still be thrown out trying to advance.
19. If at any time a player is injured during a play, time-out shall be called immediately and all runners will advance no more than one base.
20. A runner who leaves the base before the ball passes over home plate or is hit by the batter is out. No lead-offs.
21. Drop 3rd strike rule is NOT in effect, batter is out on strike three.
22. All teams will play with an 11-inch in good condition ball.
23. There will be unlimited substitutions allowed. Batting order will remain the same.
24. Helmets are required for the batter, all base runners, and the on-deck batter. The Nebraska helmet rule will be in effect. It reads: WEARING THE HELMET IMPROPERLY OR REMOVING THE HELMET DURING A LIVE BALL PLAY AND JUDGED BY THE UMPIRE TO BE A DELIBERATE ACT SHALL CAUSE THE VIOLATOR TO BE DECLARED OUT IMMEDIATELY. THE BALL REMAINS ALIVE.
25. Umpire(s) must be ASA certified.
26. Awards will be as follows:
All teams will receive Participation Ribbons.
27. There will be no League Tournament for T-Ball.