FOSTER CITY LITTLE LEAGUE
 2007 SOFTBALL T-BALL DIVISION RULES

Following are the local rules for the T-Ball Division in Foster City Little League Softball. A full explanation of all of the rules can be found in the Official Regulations and Playing Rules of Little League Softball.

Division Age

The T-Ball Division consists of girls of League Ages 5 and 6. At the discretion of the league board, a girl older than 6 may play in the T-Ball division.

Team Management

The preference is for all teams to have a female Manager at least twenty-one (21) years of age. Coaches can be either gender but there must be a female present at all times during practices and games. There is a maximum of four (4) adult manager/coaches allowed in the dugout during a game. Adult coaches will coach at the bases.

Season

Each team will have one practice during the week and one game on the weekend (Saturday in most cases).

Games

The following is a summary of some of the rules in the T-Ball Division in Foster City Little League Baseball. A full explanation of all the rules can be found in the Official Regulations and Playing Rules of Little League Softball.

This is a non-competitive division. No scores, standings or batting averages are kept. The emphasis is placed on instruction, learning basic baseball skills and teamwork. There shall not be any pressure placed on any player to “win”. Having fun is of utmost importance and should be stressed by all coaches, managers and parents at all times.

Teams will play a 12 game schedule, 1 game on a Saturday, and 1 optional practice per week. There will also be a couple games during the week near the end of the season. Games are three (3) innings or 90 minutes long (maximum). All players bat every inning and the inning ends after the last player has hit. A serpentine batting order will be used to ensure that all players get an opportunity to hit.

All players play defense every inning. There are three (3) defensive pitchers, five (5) infielders (one near each base and one between 1st and 2nd and one between 2nd and 3rd), one (1) defensive catcher and the rest of the players will be positioned in the outfield. Outfielders will start each play at least fifteen (15) feet behind each base. Players will rotate positions every inning giving all players an equal opportunity to play different positions. Players will play both infield and outfield positions each game.

A “Soft-Touch” softball will be used to reduce the possibility of injury. Non-metal cleats are permitted, and in fact, encouraged because of the potential for wet slippery grass.

Players must wear their uniform to play and any turtlenecks must be worn under the player’s jersey. No jackets will be permitted while a player is batting, running or playing in the field. However, if a team elects to procure matching sweatshirts which include the player’s jersey number (not supplied by FCLL), these may be worn both offensively and defensively.

A batter/runner gets only one base on an overthrow.

The batter will get five (5) attempts to hit the ball off the tee. If the batter misses the 5th attempt, the coach or manager will assist her in hitting the ball so the batter can run the bases. There are no walks in T-Ball. Players must be instructed not to throw the bat. If a batter throws a bat, she will receive a warning on the first occasion. On the second occasion, the manager will not allow the player to bat for the balance of the game, but may play in the field.

All offensive players must be behind the safety screen waiting their turn to bat. There will be no on-deck circle. Two adult coaches are allowed to be with their team in the field while on defense. They must stand behind the infielders.

The home team will be responsible for supplying a base umpire and they will occupy the third base dugout. All close plays are given to the runner to encourage more activity on the bases.

Bunting, stealing and sliding are not allowed. There is no infield fly rule. All players get a trophy at the end of the season for participation, and get to keep their uniforms.

The number one objective of this division is to HAVE FUN!