Tee Ball
Our Tee Ball program is focused on fun, fitness, and fundamentals where players ages 4/5 are first introduced to the basics baseball and softball. JCLL aims to provide an experience that focuses on teaching the fundamentals of the game in a fun environment while incorporating a high level of physical activity.
JCLL will provide a hat, jersey, pants, and belt. Each player should have their own glove, helmet, and cleats. It is recommended each player have their own bat as well. All bats must have the USA and tee ball stamp.
JCLL Tee ball Rules 2023
1. TIMES - Games WILL STOP at one hour. This is a drop stop time – it does not matter who is batting or who still needs to bat.
2. Home team shall occupy the first base dugout and visiting team will occupy the third base dugout.
3. RESPONSIBILITIES- The HOME team will be responsible for keeping the official book. The VISITING team will be responsible for keeping score on board (if one is available). BOTH teams are responsible for cleaning their dugout before leaving.
4. RUNS- There will be a maximum of five (5) runs allowed in all innings except the fifth or extra innings in which there will be a maximum of ten (10) runs in these innings. After four (4) innings if a team is ahead by eleven (11) runs the game will be over.
5. HELMETS- Every offensive player must wear a helmet with face guard and chin strap when batting or running the bases. The defensive catcher must wear a helmet with face guard. Helmets should also be worn during practices. Face guards are required on all helmets along with a chin strap.
6. COACHES- There can be only two (2) offensive base coaches on the field (first and third bases) with one (1) coach at home. There must always be an adult in the dugout as well (must be an adult over 18 and have a background check completed and verified through JCLL).
7. Two (2) defensive coaches may position themselves in the outfield grass.
8. Any coach physically assisting an offensive player in the baseline will constitute interference and that player will be called out. Coaches may assist players in the batter’s box; however, all batters must have both feet in batter’s box when they are hitting.
9. Coaches are responsible for tee adjustments for individual batters.
10. The tee must be removed when a runner is coming in to home plate.
11. PITCHER- The pitcher must start with at least one foot on the pitching rubber or be behind it while still being inside the circle.
12. The same player cannot play the position of pitcher more than two (2) innings per game.
13. The pitcher may not tag a runner between first and second base or second and third base. They must throw the ball to the infielder covering the base.
14. The pitcher may tag a runner between home and first base or third base and home if in the act of fielding the ball they are taken towards the base line. (The pitcher may not field the ball on the third base side of the mound and then tag a runner going to first or vice versa).
15. The pitcher may tag home for a force out if in the act of fielding the ball they are taken towards home plate. (No other fielder other than the catcher can tag home for a force out.)
16. If a team does not have enough players to utilize a catcher then the pitcher is responsible for covering home plate.
17. OUTFIELDERS- All teams must play a regular baseball infield including a catcher with remaining players in the outfield.
18. Each defensive player should play near the designated position. Example: Third base should be no more than 10 feet in front of the bag. Another example: 2nd baseman should not be more than 10 feet behind the baseline. Outfielders must not enter the infield with possession of the ball. Outfielders must throw the ball to the infield. No outfielder can tag a base or a runner out.
19. Outfielders must not enter the infield with possession of the ball. They must throw the ball to the infield. No outfielder can tag a base runner out.
20. The first attempt at an out should be a thrown ball unless the ball is hit at an infielder which carries the defender into the runner or a base. Infielders can tag (chase) a runner to a base. EXAMPLE: 2nd baseman can tag runners going between 1st and 2nd and shortstop and 3rd baseman can tag runners between 2nd and 3rd).
21. Every out at first must be a thrown ball (or play made by first baseman) unless a ball is hit up the first base line and the pitcher is carried into the runner with his momentum.
22. OVERTHROW- The overthrow rule will apply as follows: The only place this rule applies is at 1st base on a batted ball. The runner who the defensive team is trying to throw out will NOT be allowed to advance if an overthrow occurs. Every additional runner on the bases during the time of the play, will be allowed one additional base beyond the base they are advancing to.
EXAMPLE: Runner on First. Ball hit to pitcher – pitcher overthrows 1st. The runner on first will be allowed to advance to 3rd, but the batter shall remain at 1st.
23. OVERHAND THROWS -Balls must be thrown overhanded to other players. The reason for this rule is to teach players how to throw and catch a baseball/softball. Balls cannot be thrown in a bowling ball manner or thrown overhanded or side armed causing the ball to roll in an attempt to make an out. If this is done the runner will be called SAFE. Its ok if the ball does not make it to the other player in the air, it can bounce (EXAMPLE: 3rd baseman makes a throw to first and the ball makes it half way to first in the air and bounces or rolls the rest of the way; or if the pitcher makes a throw to first that short hops the 1st baseman). Obviously, there are some exceptions to this rule (EXAMPLE: if a player makes a diving play and tosses or flips the ball causing the ball to roll to other players in an attempt to make a play or an out, then this is ok; or if a player is close to another player and tosses the ball underhanded to them, then this is ok as well).
24. BATTER- A batter is allowed five (5) swings to put the ball in play. If on the 5th swing the batter misses the ball, the batter will be called out. If the fifth swing is foul; the batter will be allowed another swing until they get a hit or swing and miss.
25. A full swing must be used by the batter.
26. BATTING ORDER- Every player bats and the batting order must remain the same throughout the game. If a player is late, they will be added to the end of the line-up and remain there through the game.
27. FENCE RULE - Whenever a batted ball rolls under the fence in fair territory or bounces over the fence in fair territory; all runners may advance two (2) bases from where they were before the ball was put into play. Runners may advance one (1) base on balls thrown over or under the fence.
28. RUNNERS- Runners cannot advance when the ball is in the possession of the designated pitcher (for that inning) and said pitcher is inside the pitcher’s circle or infielder has possession of ball in front of lead runner. If a runner is more than halfway to a base before the pitcher has possession of the ball in the circle, then the runner can finish running to the base. In addition, if at any point the play comes to a natural end with no runners trying to advance, the umpire shall call time, and all runners will remain on the occupied base at the time.
29. There will be no infield fly rule in T-ball.
30. SLIDE- No player may slide head first- player will be called out.
PROTEST- A coach may not protest a teeball game.