Baseball: KG TeeBall : Rules
DSN SPRING Baseball Rules Grade KG
The rules written in Blue are specific to KG. The Rules writing in black are the same for all ages.
Please remember that you are representing much more than your team. You are representing DSN & the highest of standards that have been set for this organization.
MANDATE: KIDS ARE TO HAVE FUN. COACHES ARE TO BE EXCELLENT ROLE MODELS.
K TEE-BALL
1. Safety First - Safety of the players, coaches and spectators is paramount. Coaches have the responsibility to stop any unsafe act immediately. Be especially vigilant for children around the batter. Use only the Soft-tee balls (no hardballs are to be used).
2. Player Development – Tee ball is about player development, not competition. ALWAYS be positive when making a correction or suggestion to a player. Have fun and teach the basics that will be the building blocks for future development.
3. Sportsmanship – Reinforce fair play and sportsmanship at all times. Do not tolerate temper tantrums, especially where a child throws balls, bats or other equipment in anger or frustration.
4. Uniforms – Reinforce with players the proper way to wear uniform and caps. DSN will provide uniforms and caps.
5. No Keeping Score, No Playoffs
6. No Umpires
7. Length of Games: Each game is limited to 60 minutes. The field must be cleared at the end of the time limit even if an inning has not concluded.
8. Field Clean-up – Coaches are responsible to ensure that their side of the field are clean of trash at the end of the game.
9. We discussed 6-7 kids on a team working, since not many balls are going into outfield. This will be fine-tuned based on # of sign-ups
10. Player Evaluations mandatory. [Jon to set up a structured course]
GAME RULES
11. Pre-Game Skill Development - The first 30 minutes of game time will be used for warm up and skill development. The home team will take the field and work on a fielding skill (e.g., fielding ground balls, fielding pop flies, what to do if you’re an infielder/outfielder, etc.). The visiting team will work on the sidelines on a hitting skill. (e.g., proper stance, level swing, running to first, running from first to second, etc.). We may choose to go with a Skill of the Week concept with all kids working on the same thing (week 1 base running, week 2 hitting, etc.) instead of breaking into two groups (defense and offense) – to be further discussed
12. Number of Innings – Games will be no longer than 3 complete innings. The whole team bats each inning. When the last batter hits the ball, all runners should advance to home including the batter.
TEE-BALL RULES
Offensive Team:
13. At Bat – Coaches tee up the ball; batters are allowed three attempts to hit the ball on his own before the coach must assist the batter. The batter and all base runners must always wear helmets.
14. Batting Order – Switch the batting order each inning so that the same child does not bat at the bottom of the order each time up.
15. Coaches - Use at least two coaches while the team is at bat, one to assist the batter and one to line up the children in batting order and assist the next batter in getting ready.
16. No on deck circle – the only player with a bat shall be the batter. The next batter in the order should have a helmet, but not a bat while waiting his turn.
17. Running the bases –runners will remain on the base even if they are out during the play so that they can learn base running skills during game play. On plays where the ball is overthrown in the infield allow the runner to advance one base only. [We need to decide whether we want to allow overthrows and teach the concept of a runner being allowed to take one base in such a case]
Defensive Team:
1. Players on the field - All of the players present will play in the field. Use no more than 5 infielders plus the pitcher (all regular infield positions plus one player in front of second base). Keep the infielders back to at least the base line. After the play is over, the closest Coach to the ball should instruct the fielder to throw the ball to the pitcher who should then throw it to the Coach on the opposing team who is helping the batter. Rotate infielders and outfielders after every inning.
- Teach Positioning - Teach the players about positioning. Don’t let them cross the field chasing a ball or bunch up around a base. Teach them how to back-up a play and where to go (cover a base, back up …) when the ball is not hit to them. DSN must draw lines for all fielders to stand behind (1B, 2B, SC, SS, 3B, and P)
2. Coaches – Use no more than three coaches on the field at one time, one for each side of the infield and one in the outfield. Infield coaches should stand behind the infielders and not obstruct the view of the outfielders. Allow only one over-throw before stopping the play.
3. No catcher will be used.
ABOVE ALL – HAVE FUN!
