6U T-ball Rules

2023

The Vancleave Youth Softball League is governed by the rules of the Amatuer Softball Association of America (ASA). The league board reserves the right to amend and implement local rules that govern recreational play. The official rules of ASA fast pitch softball will apply unless otherwise amended below. The League Board reserves the right to amend these rules at any time during the season.

Playing Field

-          Bases will be 60’ apart

-          The pitching circle will be an 8’ radius and 35’ from back of home plate to front of pitching rubber.

-          An arc line will extend 10’ feet from the back of home plate from the 1st base foul line to 3rd base foul line.

-          Half way marks will be between all bases beyond first base.

-          There will be 2 1st bases. The white base will be considered fair territory and the orange will be in foul territory.

-          A dashed arc will extend from foul line to foul line extending 15’ from the back of home plate.

Equipment

-          All players must wear a batting helmet with a face mask when up to bat or on the bases.

-          Players in the field are encouraged to have a defensive face mask. The pitcher must wear a face mask.

-          The catcher must wear batting helmet or a catcher’s helmet.

-          Bats that are stamped ASA, USSSA, or USA are deemed legal for league ball

-          Regulation ASA 11’ optic yellow softballs will be used.

-          An adjustable tee will be placed on home plate for the offensive team.

Playing rules

-          There will no new inning started after 50 minutes.

-          There must be a minimum of 8 players to start a game. Any player that shows up after the game has started will be placed at the end of the lineup.

-          There is to be a maximum of 6 players in the infield including the pitcher and catcher. All other defensive players must start the play on the outfield grass.

-          A game will be a maximum of 5 innings and can end in a tie.

-          The defensive team can have 2 coaches in the outfield, but cannot touch a player or the ball.

-          The offensive coaches cannot touch a base runner until the ball is considered dead.

-          1 offensive coach will be responsible for setting the tee for the batter.

-          Every player on the roster will be listed on the lineup and must play at least 1 inning defensively.

Hitting

-          The batter must have both feet in the batter’s box.

-          No bat slinging. One verbal team warning will be given and afterwards the batter will be called out and runners will return to their previous base.

-          Each batter will get 5 swings.

-          No leadoffs or stealing is allowed

Defense

-          No infield fly rule

-          Defensive players must throw the ball to their teammate covering the base. No rolling or running the ball to the base except for routine plays (umpire discretion).

-          Defensive players cannot run down a base runner unless the ball is hit in the immediate area of the runner. The runner will be deemed safe if she is run down by the defense in a play that is not deemed normal. (umpire discretion)

-          The pitcher must throw the ball home if the ball is hit beyond the 15’ dashed arc.

-          The pitcher will start the play at or parallel to the pitching rubber.

-          The umpire will call PLAY BALL before each attempted swing. Any swing before PLAY BALL will be deemed a foul ball.

-          The play is considered dead when

o   The defense gets the ball in front of the lead runner stopping her advancement.

o   The ball enters the pitching circle.

o   When all play has ceased

o   it is the umpire’s discretion as to whether a runner can advance to the next base

§  If the runner is beyond the half way line, then she is awarded the next base

§  If she is before the half way line, she must return to her previous base once a dead ball is called.

-          An overthrow rule will be enforced on plays at first base. On an overthrow, players may advance one base only at their own risk (NOT AN AUTOMATIC AWARD OF A BASE). On overthrow will be the umpires judgement (5 to 6 feet beyond first base).

-          The outfield cannot cover a base on the infield.

-          The pitcher must be inside the pitching circle before the ball is hit.

-          Infielders will play no closer than 35 feet from home plate.

-          Outfielders will start the play no closer than 85’ from home plate.

-          The runner is out by being forced, tagged, or runs out of the baseline to avoid a tag.

-          The inning will be over when  all the batters in the lineup has hit.

Manager Responsibilities

-          The manager is responsible for his team and parents conduct.

-          There is to be no arguing with the umpire. This is your warning.

-          All coaches are to set an example for his team and adhere to the Code of Conduct.

-          The dugouts are to be cleaned of trash after each game.

All Stars

-          All Stars will be picked by blind vote by the head coaches.

-          At least 1 player from each team must be selected.

-          12 players plus an alternate will be selected.

-          The Head Coach for All Stars will be picked by the Vancleave Youth Softball Board.