Participation, fun and learning are the goals of HGRA T-Ball. Score is not kept. Coaches of both teams shall instruct both teams.
1. Younger children learn by practicing skills, not just playing games. Coaches should schedule at least one practice/week in addition to the game. All players should be strongly encouraged to attend the practices(s) and games.
2. Coaches serve as umpires and shall work cooperatively in moving the game forward.
3. Bases will be 50 feet apart. The “pitcher” must stay on the mound until the ball is hit.
4. There is no stealing of bases and no leading off.
5. Any batter throwing a bat 10 feet or more shall be declared automatically out and shall return to the bench after one initial warning to the player.
6. Play stops when the ball is returned to the infield (the infield is 10 feet outside the base path). It does NOT have to be controlled by the defensive team.
7. A ball must be hit at least 5 feet to be considered fair, outside the 5 foot circle from the back corner of home plate. If the batter misses the ball, hits the ball less than 5 feet or knocks over the tee, it is a foul ball. A batter gets an unlimited number of swings – nobody strikes out in T-ball.
8. Every player bats one time/inning – no matter how many outs are made. The last batter should be allowed to clear the bases. The fielding team must remain on the field until the player crosses home plate.
9. Defensively, ALL players may be on the field. However, the defensive team may have no more than four infielders (1B, 2B, SS, 3B) in addition to the pitcher. All remaining players shall be stationed in the outfield.
10. A player may play only one inning at any defensive position. Coaches may be on the field while their team plays defense.
11. There are no catchers in T-ball. Their presence at the plate merely slows down the game and poses a safety risk.
12. All games will begin at times noted on the schedule A team short of players may “borrow” players from the other team. Siblings or others not signed up for HGRA may not play. Games generally last 2-3 innings, but the 6:00 games must end at 7:15, regardless of innings played
13. These rules cannot be modified at any time except by the Commissioner.
qqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqHGRA Baseball General RulesParticipation, fun and learning are theoals of HGRA T-Ball. Score is not kept. Coaches of both teams shall instruct both teams.
1. Young children learn by practicing skills, not just playing games. Coaches should schedule at least one practice/week in addition to the game. All players should be strongly encouraged to attend the practice(s) and games.
2. Bases will be 20 paces or 60 feet apart.
3. Coaches serve as umpires with mutual cooperation. Such cooperation is a fundamental requirement of coaching.
4. All players batting or running the bases must wear a helmet.
5. The pitcher must be an adult from the offensive team. He or she will pitch at least 20 feet from home plate. Pitches should be overhand but may be by any method that facilitates hitting. Every effort should be made to avoid stopping a hit ball. If the adult pitcher catches, or stops or deflects the ball, the ball is dead and the pitch does not count. The child playing in the pitcher’s position shall stand within three feet right or left of the pitching plate until the ball is hit.
6. Each player may receive up to 8 pitches to hit the ball “fair.” If after 8 pitches the batter has not put the ball into play, he or she shall be awarded first base. The batter cannot strike out.
7. Outs may be made. If a player is called out during a play, he or she must leave the basepath - players may not run the bases after they are out.
8. There will be no stealing of bases and no leading off.
9. Any batter throwing a bat 10 feet or more shall automatically be declared out after one warning per game.
10. Play stops when the ball is returned to the infield (the infield is 10 feet outside the basepath). Once the ball is within the infield, the ball is dead.
11. Base runners may take one base on an overthrow into foul territory.
12. The inning ends when all batters in the line-up have batted, regardless of the number of outs made. The last batter will be allowed to run the bases until either tagged out or a “force” play is made at home plate. The fielding team must remain on the field until the player crosses home plate.
13. Each coach should keep his players from making derogatory remarks to the opposing team at all times. The coach should keep his players in order at all times. Disputed plays should be resolved amicably by the coaches.
14. A player may play no more than one inning at each position. Coaches may be on the field while their team plays defense.
15. All games begin at times noted on the season schedule. If a team can not field eight players within 15 minutes after game time, the coaches may elect to “borrow” players for a practice game.
16. Length: 3 innings. By agreement between the coaches, the teams may play one extra inning if it begins before 7:40.
17. These rules cannot be modified at any time except by the Commissioner.
qqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqHGRA Baseball General RulesParticipation, fun and learning are the goals of HGRA baseball. Coaches of both teams share the duty of umpiring and instructing both teams. No score is kept for Minor League games, except as otherwise directed by the Baseball Commissioner.
1. Young children learn by practicing skills, not just playing games. Coaches should schedule at least one practice/week in addition to the game. All players should be strongly encouraged to attend the practice(s) and games.
2. Bases will be 20 paces or 60 feet apart.
3. All players batting or running the bases must wear a helmet.
4. The pitcher must be an adult from the respective offensive teams. He or she will pitch at least 20 feet from home plate. Pitches shall be thrown overhand. Every effort should be made to avoid stopping a hit ball. If the adult pitcher catches, or stops or deflects the ball, the ball is dead and the pitch does not count. The child playing in the pitcher’s position shall stand within three feet right or left of the pitching plate until the ball is hit.
5. Each player may receive up to 8 pitches to hit the ball “fair.” If, after 8 pitches the batter has not put the ball into play, he or she shall be called out. If the batter gets three strikes, he or she shall be called out. No bunting.
6. There will be no stealing of bases and no leading off.
7. Any batter throwing a bat 10 feet or more shall be declared out after one warning per game.
8. Play stops when the ball is returned to the infield (the infield is 10 feet outside the basepath). It does NOT have to be controlled by the defensive team. Once the ball is within the infield, the ball is dead and runners must return to the last base.
9. Base runners may take one base on an overthrow into foul territory.
10. Everybody on the team is in the batting order but only 10 batters bat during an inning. If the 10th batter puts the ball in play, they run the bases until tagged out or until a “force” play is made at the plate.
11. Each coach should keep his players from taunting or making derogatory remarks to the opposing team at all times. Disputed plays should be resolved amicably by the coaches.
12. A player may play no more than one inning at each position. Coaches may not be on the field while their team plays defense.
13. Teams may play 1 catcher, 1 “pitcher”, 4 infielders and 4 outfielders in an inning.
14. All games will begin at times noted on the season schedule. A team not having eight players may “borrow” players from the other team.
qqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqHGRA Baseball General RulesOur goals are fun, learning and participation. Everyone should demonstrate fairness and good sportsmanship at all times.
1. Games begin on time. A team not having eight players shall forfeit the game following a 15 minute wait.
2. Length: 6 innings, official after 3.5 innings. No inning may start after 8:15 PM.
3. Bases are 60 ft apart; pitching rubber is 46 feet from home plate. If players cannot pitch the ball from the rubber, they should not pitch. No pitcher may pitch more than two innings per game. The pitched innings must be consecutive. No player may play more than two innings at any one defensive position, except catcher if no other player wishes to catch. Adults are not permitted on the field. Each team plays three (3) outfielders
4. All batters and base runners must wear a helmet.
5. Ten batters or three outs per half-inning. If the tenth batter bats the ball, the defense must either make the out or touch home plate with the ball to end the half-inning. However, if all runners stop running, or if common sense dictates that play has ended, the umpire may end the half-inning. The 10th batter may not walk - s/he must put the ball in play or strike out. After a reasonable number of pitches has failed to put the 10th batter out, the umpire shall order the batting team’s coach to pitch.
6. A base runner shall not leave his base until the ball crosses home plate. If a runner leaves too soon, s/he will be ordered to return or will be called out if the ball was put into play. There will be only two (2) “stolen” bases (including those resulting from wild pitches or passed balls) per team per inning. No runner may steal home. Advancing on overthrows IS NOT PERMITTED.
7. The Infield Fly Rule is in effect (go to MLB.com for the definition of this rule). There is no bunting allowed.
8. Taunting, trash talk or derogatory remarks to the opposing team or to the umpire are forbidden. Such behavior will result in ejection of the offending person and possible further penalty. The coach is responsible for the behavior of the team and its fans.
9. The umpires are experienced baseball players, but honest mistakes will occur. Umpires have full authority over all action on the field. Only one coach per team may approach an umpire in regard to a disputed play; and only rule applications may be questioned. Judgment calls (i.e., balls and strikes, out at first, etc.) may not be questioned. Failure to comply with these rules may result in ejection from the game and possible penalty from the Commissioner. If a coach feels that an umpire has not performed adequately, contact the Commissioner.
10. If a player scheduled to catch the next inning gets on base, the player making the previous out may be inserted as a pinch runner.
11. Unless otherwise noted, the rules of Little League Baseball will apply. The rules cannot be changed or modified at any time during the reason, except by the Commissioner.
12. Each team must designate an official scorer. This person (a fan or coach) must verify the score at the end of each half inning with the official scorer of the opposing team. If there is a dispute, the scorers should review the results of that half-inning with the home plate umpire, who shall have the final authority to declare the score.
13. Full uniforms (cap, shirt and pants) must be worn to all games. Uniform socks are suggested, but not required. Shirts must be tucked in at all times during the game.
qqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqHGRA Baseball General Rules2008 HGRA GENERAL BASEBALL RULES
Participation, not winning, is the ultimate goal, especially for the younger players. Each participant must play a significant amount of time in each practice and game.
It will take a cooperative effort on the part of the coaches, parents, participants and spectators to uphold the program goals of HGRA.
1. No coach will place a player on his/her team without the permission of the HGRA Baseball Commissioner or HGRA Administrator.
2. Tennis shoes or baseball shoes may be used. The soles of soccer shoes are to be molded rubber or plastic. The cleats cannot be more than 3/4” in length and no less than _” in diameter. There must be no metal cleats.
3. Continuous (Round Robin) Batting: The coach will set a continuous batting order and all players present will be assigned a slot. All players present will bat before the lead-off batter bats a second time. Later comers will be added to the bottom of the batting order.
4. Only one player – the batter - may handle a bat at a time. There is no on deck batter.
5. Free substitution is allowed, but each player must play more or less the same number of innings on defense.
6. Bad Weather Policy: Coaches should attempt to continue play in light rain. However, if lightning is observed in the area, play stops and all participants should seek shelter. If a game is postponed, the head coaches should make an attempt to reschedule the game. If rescheduling is not possible, the game will then be canceled.
7. Nobody (including fans) participating in HGRA games may smoke on or near the field of play.
8. All persons associated with any HGRA team, including players, coaches, parents and fans, must display the highest standards of sportsmanship and decorum. Anybody unable or unwilling to do so will be asked to leave the field and/or invited to leave the program, at HGRA’s discretion.
