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 Park Board Sluggers T-Ball League Rules

• Score will not be kept
• Outs will be called…runners may stay on the base if called out.
• Each team will bat their entire line-up.Once they have completed batting, teams will switch.
• Each team will bat two times through their lineup.If inclement weather arises and teams have batted once through their lineup, the game is considered complete and will not be made up.
• Official Tee Ball baseball will be used and provided by the Springfield-Greene County Park Board for games.
• A coach from the batting team will make any height adjustments for each batter.
• To start play, the coach will set the ball on the tee and the batter will step into the batter’s box and swing when ready.
• A coach will move the tee out of the way in the event a play develops resulting in a possible play at the plate.
• When the ball is at a base, the play is stopped.The coach is not allowed to touch the ball except to place it on the tee.
• Home runs are not allowed.Coaches must stop the batter-runner at 3rd base.
• Coaches must have players representing the outfield positions standing behind the bases.All players may be placed on defense.The “extra players” will be placed in the outfield.
• Catchers can wear protective gear if they choose to.This could include helmet and mask, chest protector and shin guards. Players are not required to squat while catching.
• This league is designed to be a learning experience.Coaches are encouraged to have players run one base at a time.

   Park Board Sluggers Modified Coach Pitch Rules

• Score will not be kept
• Outs will be called…runners may stay on the base if called out.
• Each team will bat their entire line-up.Once they have completed batting, teams will switch.
• Each team will bat two times through their lineup.If inclement weather arises and teams have batted once through their lineup, the game is considered complete and will not be made up
• Baseballs must be a RIF level 5 baseball or MLB training Level 5 baseballs.Balls will be provided by the Park Board.
• Each player will get 5 pitches.If the player fails to hit the ball after the 5th pitch, the tee will be brought out.
• The umpire will move the tee out of the way in the event a play develops resulting in a possible play at the plate.
• When the ball is at a base, the play is stopped.
• Home runs are not allowed.Coaches must stop the batter-runner at 3rd base.
• Coaches must have players representing the outfield positions standing behind the bases.All players may be placed on defense.The “extra players” will be placed in the outfield.
• All catchers will be required to wear protective gear.This includes helmet and mask, chest protector and shin guards.(play can continue while catchers are getting dressed, a coach will need to fill in) Players are not required to squat down while catching.
• This league is designed to be a learning experience.Coaches are encouraged to have players run one base at a time.

  Park Board Sluggers Coach Pitch Rules

• Coach pitch 7U and 9U must use a RIF 10 baseball which is provided for all games.
• Games will be played with 55 minutes on the clock to start. Once the clock hits zero, the umpire will determine if the game is to continue depending on the score.
• All players can play defense.Extra players must be placed in the outfield.Coaches must have players representing the outfield positions stand in the outfield grass and there should be no more than 6 infielders.Catchers and pitchers are considered infielders.
• Each inning will last until 3 outs are made or 5 runs are scored. There is a 5 run max each inning.
• No Stealing, no bunting, and no infield fly rule will be in effect for all coach pitch leagues.
• Each batter will receive a maximum of 5 pitches.A batter can strike out before reaching the maximum number of pitches.
• This league will use a continuous batting order, with all players present listed in the batting order. In the event that a player arrives late, he/she shall be added to the bottom of the lineup. If a player must leave the game for any reason other than ejection, the player’s position in the batting order will be skipped with no out being charged. Should a player be ejected from the game, an out will be charged each time his/her position comes up in the batting order.
• The coach shall pitch to his/her own players.The coach may pitch overhand or underhand.The coach may defend themselves if the ball is hit directly at them.The ball will be dead or play is over when:
  • If any batted ball contacts the coach pitcher before the fielding team has a chance to make a play, the play will be called dead.If the coach DID NOT make an effort to get out of the way of the batted ball, the batter will be called out.If the coach did not intentionally interfere with the play, the play will be recorded as a “NO PITCH”.This is a judgement call by the umpire.
• If the last pitch by the coach is hit foul, the batter is out.
• A coach from the batting team may stand behind the catcher to speed the game up by returning a pitch from the pitching coach.Coaches are allowed to help in the outfield to assist the defense if needed.
• The defensive team will have a “Pitcher”.This player will stand with at least one foot in the pitching circle around the mound.The player may move out of the circle once play has begun.
• Players are permitted to leave the base when the ball crosses home plate.If the ball is not hit, the player must immediately return to their base.
• The ball will be dead or play is over when:
  • Coach Pitch 7, 8 & 9-the fielders must stop the runner before the play is considered over.Once the coach pitcher has touched the baseball, the play is over.The batter will be called out if there is any adult interference.
• Run ahead rule will be in effect when a team is ahead by 15 runs after 3 innings, 12 runs after 4 innings, and 8 runs after 5 innings.At this point, the score will stop being kept and the game will continue until the clock hits 0.When the clock hits 0, the batter will finish their at bat and the game will be over.
• In Coach Pitch 7,8, 9, home runs are not allowed.Coaches must stop their batters at 3rd base.The only home run that will be honored is one that is hit over the fence.NOTE: to get more players involved in the game and more at bats, please consider moving your players one base at a time.These leagues are designed for fun and learning.