Website Manager

Work Hard. Be Respectful. Have Fun.

Concord Youth Baseball League

T-Ball Rules



T-Ball Division Rules 2021

While striving to win is important, CYBL T-Ball Division Coaches are expected to primarily focus on: fundamental baseball skills, teamwork and on creating a safe and fun experience for our Players.

CORE PRINCIPLES: 

Work Hard: Coaches will be expected to dedicate their time to the kids and the same is expected for the kids. It is important that we foster strong work habits that, will not only show in their development as a player, but also as a young adult.

Be Respectful: All participants are expected to respect teammates, coaches, umpires and parents at all times, on and off the field. We need to create an environment of respect for all. 

Have Fun: Don't lose sight regarding the reason that we are all out here for. We want our children to be competitive but we must realize that this is a recreational sport and it is important to ensure that we are having fun and create a love for the game. This is very important for parents as well as coaches - make it fun for the kids and do not get caught up at winning at all cost.

SECTION A – PLAYER SAFETY: 

Players Safety is our top priority.  If ever there is a question or situation regarding player safety, please contact your Division Commissioner immediately.

1.        Concussion – If a player is suspected of a concussion, the player must stop playing immediately and seek medical attention by calling 911.

a.        Common signs of a concussion

                                                               i.      Confused State – Dazed look, vacant state or confusion

                                                              ii.      Memory Problems – Can’t remember assignment, opponent or location

                                                            iii.      Symptoms – Headache, nausea, vomiting, blurred or double vision

                                                            iv.      Lack of Attention – Difficulty sustaining focus or coherent thoughts

                                                              v.      Slowed or incoherent speech with slow body movements

                                                            vi.      Behaving in combative or aggressive behavior

                                                           vii.      Problems with balance and or coordination

2.        First Aid – Any player bleeding should stop play to resolve the problem immediately.  If bleeding is continuous or a player’s health may be in jeopardy from an injury, call 911 immediately.

a.        First Aid Bag is located at the concession stand

                                                               i.      Includes antiseptic, bandages, band aid and ice packs

3.        Swinging Bats – There will be no swinging bats outside of the field fence.

SECTION B - PARTICIPATION:

1.        Every Player plays in each of the 3 innings (except for health or disciplinary reasons).

2.        Coaches should rotate Players to allow them to learn each position, using sound judgment and safety precautions with skilled positions.

3.        Roster batting is mandatory, meaning every Player bats (see SECTION C).

4.        A minimum of six (6) Players are required to play a game. It is acceptable to borrow a Player from the opposing team if the Coaches agree.

5.        If a team can only field six (6) Players, the other team can still field all their Players.

SECTION C – EQUIPMENT:

1.        Each coach will get balls and a tee.

a.        Equipment should not be shared unless other circumstances present themselves (player does not have their own helmet or bat, etc.).  In case equipment does need to be shared, please clean equipment in between each players use.

SECTION D - BATTING:

1.        A tee must be used for all Batters, subject to section F below.

2.        ALL roster Players will be listed in the batting line-up and bat for every game, except for health or disciplinary reasons.

a.        After 1st inning, reverse the order for inning 2, and then shuffle around again for inning 3.

3.        Any hit ball into the field of play is considered a live ball, no matter how far the ball is hit.

4.        Each half inning ends when each player has batted.

5.        Batters must wear a helmet when batting and when running the bases. If the helmet comes off at any time, pause the game.

6.        The Coach shall signify to the other team when the last batter of the inning is up.  The last batter in each inning will hit a “homerun” and all players will run around the bases. 

7.        There are no recorded outs. 

8.        Pitchers should give a courtesy verbal warning to the opposing team’s players when a strong Batter “BIG BAT” is up to the plate and should instruct the Player in the Pitcher position to play back an extra 5-10’ as a safety precaution.

SECTION E – BASE RUNNING:

1.        Each batter takes one base at a time and moves up on the next batters hit, except for the last batter in each inning. 

2.        Feet-first sliding is permitted (except into 1st base).

3.        Fences have been installed at ~120’ from home plate. If the ball is hit on the fly over the fence, that is a home run.

4.        No stealing or lead offs are permitted.

5.        Infielders must clear the base paths for the Baserunner unless attempting to make a play on the Baserunner.

SECTION F – PITCHING to Players (second half of the season):

For the First half of Season a tee must be used for every batter to help with hand eye coordination and ensure the flow of the game. For the Second half of Season, coach pitch will be allowed for those players who will be eligible for the Coach pitch division next year (7 & 8 year olds).  The Coach pitch determination is based on the coach’s judgment and skill level of the individual player.  If the coach pitch option is used, the Batter is allowed three (3) pitches to put the ball in play. If the player does not put the ball in play, the tee will be put back in the batter’s box for the player to use.     

SECTION G – DEEFENSE:

1.        There is no infield fly rule.

2.        Pop-ups hit in the infield:

a.        A Baserunner cannot tag and advance to the next base on an infield fly ball that is caught by an infielder in the infield.

b.        A Baserunner must advance if the situation calls for it if the infield pop-up is dropped. (Infield fly rule does not apply in this division).

SECTION H – COACHING:

1.        Three defensive Coaches may roam the outfield to assist and instruct the defensive team.

2.        Two/Three offensive base Coaches at 1st, 2nd and 3rd can support the Batter with instructing and advancing baserunners.

3.        Line-ups at the end of the game to congratulate the other team.

a.        Each team should lineup on their (1st or 3rd) baseline.

4.        Award a game ball to a new kid each game – write name, date, team played and score and MAKE A BIG DEAL OF IT!

5.        SAFETY – NO PRACTICE SWINGS OUTSIDE OF THE FIELD OF PLAY (HAVE TEAM MOMS OR ASSISTANTS WATCH THE BENCH)

6.        SAFETY – IF A CHILD IS HURT, THE GAME STOPS AND KIDS TAKE A KNEE UNTIL THE COACH/PARENT HAVE ASSESSED THE SITUATION. FIRST AID KITS ARE LOCATED AT THE CONCESSION STAND. IF INJURY IS DEEMED TO BE SERIOUS, CALL 911 EMERGENCY.

SECTION I – THE GAME:

1.        The Home team will occupy the 3rd baseline / The Visiting team will occupy the 1st baseline – please observe this and explain to your players’ parents to avoid arguments.

2.        Bases will be set at 50’.

3.        There are no bat restrictions in this division.

4.        Each game will be three (3) innings in length. Both Coaches can agree to a last inning if the game will be less than three (3) innings. A new inning cannot be started after the game has gone for 60 minutes. Coaches must mark the start of game to adhere to the 60-minute rule.

5.        A game is considered complete after 1.5 innings. Less than 1.5 innings then the game starts over when the game is made up.

a.        Both Coaches will work together to agree on a date for a make-up game and will confirm field availability with the Commissioner.

                 i.      The email should be addressed to [email protected]   with “RESCHEDULE” in the subject line.

b.        7 Regular Season Games will be scheduled.

SECTION J – SKILLS, DRILLS and OTHER:

1.        Each Coach has autonomy on how to best deliver instruction to their team but here are some fundamental skills and drills for new Coaches:

c.        Baserunning Drill – Show where each base is located. Show running hard from base to base.

d.        Baserunning Skill – body facing the Pitcher, heal on the bag and the other foot extended in the direction of the next base.

e.        Infielding Skill – covering the gaps, keeping the baseline clear for runners, return to start positions once the play is dead.

f.         Infielding Skill – ready positions, knees bent, on toes, eyes on the batter “baseball ready”.

g.        Fielding Skill and Drill – mitts in the dirt on ground balls, using the “gator” technique to secure and quickly extract the ball.

h.        Fielding Skill – catching above the waist - mitt in the overhand position, catching below the waist, mitt in the underhand position.

i.         Throwing Drill – play catch with follow through all the way to opposite leg/knee.

j.         Hitting Skill – holding the bat tight, feet parallel to the plate a bat’s lengths back, shoulders square, elbow up, knees bent, hard and flat swings!  Keep eye on the ball!

k.        Hitting Drill – repetition, practice swings, reset their stance to observe the Hitting Skill above – constant feedback

Contact Us

Concord Youth Baseball League

9401 Mentor Ave, Box 128
Mentor, Ohio 44060

Email Us: [email protected]
Copyright © 2024 Concord Youth Baseball League  |  Privacy Statement |  Terms Of Use |  License Agreement |  Children's Privacy Policy  Login