Tee Ball · Revised August 2026
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As stated, a minimum of 7 players must take the field or a forfeit will be called.
All players on the team will be played simultaneously during defense. Once the normal infield positions have been filled, all remaining players must be played in the outfield and can be placed in any manner the coach deems appropriate.
An exception can be made if a team has more than 12 rostered players at the coaches discretion
Players are not allowed to play in the same position for two consecutive innings and must play at least 1 inning at an infield position.
If, for any reason, a game is forfeited, the umpires will not be allowed to remain on the field. However, the two teams may still use the field to scrimmage until 30 minutes prior to the next game starting.
Outfielders must be clearly in an outfield position clearly behind the 2nd and 3rd baseline and at least 10' behind said baseline.
A Max of 4 Coaches (including Dugout Mom/Dad).
Offensive Play - up to 3 coaches allowed on the field.
If less than 4 coaches (including dugout mom/dad), then base coaches will not be allowed. Each team must always have an Adult in the dugout.
One coach will work with the batter hitting off the tee for his/her own team.
The coach may place the ball on the tee for the batter if an umpire is not present or at the umpire's discretion.
75-100% of the tee must be touching home plate.
After placing the ball on the tee, the coach should move into position behind the umpire and catcher to not interfere with the catcher.
The coach will be responsible for removing the Tee/Bat from home plate during the play. The umpire needs to watch the play to make the correct call, not remove equipment from the batter.
Two base coaches will be allowed on the field at 1st base and 3rd base and must remain in the coach's box.
Defensive Play - Up to 3 coaches allowed on the field
Two defensive coaches can be on the field in the outfield area to help the outfielders keep their attention on the game.
Should a ball be hit into the outfield, a coach is not allowed to touch it. If a coach touches (accidentally or intentionally) the ball in the outfield, the batter will be awarded a home run.
The coach can only instruct the outfielders as to what to do to get the ball back into the infield.
The coach may not touch the outfielders to direct them to the ball.
At no time shall a defensive coach be allowed to be in the infield during a live ball.
One defensive coach can be in front of his/her dugout to help instruct the infielders.
The coach must stay between the dugout poles and no closer to home plate.
The coach may not enter fair territory during a live ball and must stay close to the dugout fence and not the foul line.
Coaches must not create a distraction or interfere with play. Coaches violating this rule may be warned once, and then prohibited from coaching for the remainder of that game with possible disciplinary action.
As stated, the team in the dugout with the lock box will be responsible for putting out the bases if they are not already out and for storing the bases if the last game of the day.
All coaches and umpires should meet at home plate five (5) minutes prior to the start of the game to go over any rule clarifications or any other questions or concerns that may come up.
The league will provide one umpire for each game. If no umpire is available at the scheduled start time, each team will supply a parent to act as an umpire. The visiting team parent will umpire home plate and the home team parent will umpire at 2nd base. If a parent cannot perform the duty, then an assistant coach may fill in as umpire, but that assistant cannot participate in the game as a coach. Please contact your league director within 24 hours to notify them of an umpire's absence.
All games will be played for 60 minutes & finish the inning (Spring only) Games ending in a tie will be ruled a tie during the regular season. No new Inning will start with less than 5 minutes remaining.
A game that is called due to weather or darkness is considered complete after 35 minutes of play provided two complete innings have been played.
Each team will be limited to 5 runs per ½ inning.
half-inning consists of either 5 runs being scored by the offense or three outs being recorded by the defense. After either of these conditions are met, the teams will switch between the offensive and defensive positions. The home plate umpire will be notified by the home team score keeper when one of these conditions has been met.
The infield fly rule does not apply.
All Players are required to hit off the tee. No coach pitching allowed.
Play is started by the home plate umpire saying, "Play ball." This should be done each time, prior to the batter swinging at the ball on the tee. For instance, if the batter misses the ball or fouls the ball, she must reset and wait for the umpire to say, "Play ball," again before swinging.
Teams will provide their own game ball and own tee.
Game Balls in games will be 11"
ONLY ONE SET OF EYES... Please remember that there will often only be one umpire on the field for Tee Ball games. They cannot see everything so they will have to use their best judgment on some plays. Their ruling is final.
Hitting solely off the tee
Each swing that does not put the ball into play counts as a strike. Foul balls count as strikes.
Each player may take up to three swings off the tee to put the ball in play.
If, after three swings, the batter still hasn't put the ball into play, she will be out.
There are no walks.
Bunting and "slap-hitting" are not allowed.
Intentionally attempting to "dribble" to ball off the tee to get on base is not allowed.
There should be a semi-circle line 3 feet in front of home plate. The ball must travel beyond this line to be considered a fair ball. Any ball failing to travel beyond this line will be considered a strike.
If a batter throws the bat while batting or after hitting the ball, a dead ball will be called immediately. If the thrown bat occurs prior to the final swing by the batter, she will be able to continue her at bat with the swing being counted toward her swing limit. If it is the final swing of an at-bat, the player will be called out on strikes. The second bat thrown by a team will result in a team warning and all other thrown bats will be considered automatic outs. Any time an umpire rules that a bat was thrown, play will stop immediately, and no base runners will be allowed to advance.
Runners are not allowed to advance except on a fair batted ball.
Base runners must maintain contact with the base until a ball is put into play by being hit by the batter. Leading off is NOT allowed.
The ball is dead once it is in the possession of an infield player on the infield dirt.
Runners not forced to run may be held at her base or allowed to advance one base after the ball is thrown to another infielder and before it reaches foul territory on an overthrow.
For example: A runner on 3rd and no runner on 2nd, the ball is hit to an infielder who fields the ball and throws to 1st base. The runner on 3rd may be held at 3rd until the ball is thrown toward 1st base she may advance home but must do so before the 1st baseman catches the ball or an overthrow is made.
If the ball is hit into the outfield and the outfielder retrieves the ball and throws it toward the infield, once the ball touches the infield dirt or is touched by an infielder on the fly, the play is considered a delayed dead ball, although the runners may advance to the next base if they have already passed a base when the ball is considered dead. However, advancing runners do so at their own risk and a play can be made to get them out. In any case, if an attempt is made to get the runner out, all runners must stop at the base they were heading to when the ball initially hit the infield dirt. No runners may advance again under any circumstance.
There are no advancements on overthrows or missed balls other than the base the runner would normally obtain on a normal play. If the ball is stopped before it gets to the outfield, the batter can only take one base.
The base runner's path is defined as the path the runner takes while going between bases and is not necessarily a straight line, because the runners are not very fast and usually run one base at a time. However, if a runner is rounding 2nd and takes a large arcing turn heading to 3rd base, then the base path is the direct line she takes heading to 3rd base after completing her turn. The runner cannot then make a turn to the left or right to avoid a tag by a fielder. This would be considered out of the base path. The position of the fielder and runner must be taken into consideration when making such a call.
Offensive coaches are not allowed to touch a base runner during a live ball to direct the runner to a base. During the regular season, the umpires will issue a warning for the first occurrence.
Once the ball reaches the infield (dead ball), if a runner continues around the next base acquired, the defense may still attempt to tag the runner out. If the base runner makes it safely to the next base and stops or steps on home safely, play will be stopped, and the runner will be returned to the correct base. Also, if the runner returns safely to the last base touched and stops, play will be stopped.
A ball that is fielded by the pitcher-player must be thrown (overhand) if the play is at 1st, 2nd, or 3rd base. The pitcher-player cannot chase down runners going to these bases. If no catcher is played, the pitcher-player can chase and tag out a runner that is attempting to run home or can make a force out at home plate. However, if a catcher is played, the pitcher must throw the ball to the catcher and allow the catcher to make the play. This rule is in effect to keep bigger players from chasing down smaller players as well as to teach them to throw the ball.
Catchers are not required for 6U play.
If a team chooses to play a catcher, she must wear full catcher's gear, including a catcher 's helmet, chest protector and knee & shin guards. If any of this equipment is missing, the catcher will not be allowed to play the position and must play an outfield position.
It is not necessary for a catcher to use a catcher's mitt in Tee Ball.
If only 7 players are present for a game, a catcher cannot be used and must play an outfield position.
1st, 2nd, 3rd, and shortstop fielders cannot advance closer than the distance from home plate to the pitching rubber towards home plate until the ball is hit. (see red area in the diagram below)
Only positions players (infielders) can make plays at the bases. Outfield players must throw the ball into the infield to an infield player for the infielder to make a play at a base. Even if the outfielder is standing on the infield dirt, if she holds the ball, the runners may still advance. The ball MUST be thrown by the outfielder or touched by an infield player to stop the base runners from advancing. No outfielder can cover an infield base, outfielders should remain 10 feet beyond the baseline prior to the ball being put into play.
As stated above, once the ball reaches the infield dirt, runners may continue to the next base or return to their previous base (where possible). However, runners that choose to advance do so at their own risk.
Bases will be set at 40 feet.
Pitching rubber will be set at 30 feet.
A 16-foot diameter circle will be chalked around the pitching rubber.
Official ball: 11" diameter Safe-T-Ball.
Bats may be metal, wood or composite and cannot be more than 2-1/4" in diameter.
All Players MUST wear a fielding face mask on the field, infield and outfield players are required to wear them.
OVERHAND THROWS IN MOST CASES
In most cases an infielder is expected to throw the ball in a normal overhand throwing motion to make a play on a runner. The intent of the rule is to teach the kids the proper throwing motion and prevent a player from fielding a ball and rolling it to a base to gain an out. If, in the umpire's discretion, the player was too close to throw the ball in an overhand motion without potentially causing injury to another player, the player may flip the ball in an underhand motion to make the play.
For purposes of clarification let's assume that the pitcher fields a ball a few feet from first base and flips the ball to the 1st baseman covering the bag. If an out is made at 1st base, the play should stand. If, however the pitcher fields the ball, in the circle for example, and the pitcher runs to within 3 feet of 1st base and flips the ball and an out is made, the base runner should be awarded 1st base as the pitcher should have made an overhand throw from the area that the ball was caught. In this scenario, 3 feet was used as an example only. Please remember that the umpire has sole discretion on the play.
INTERFERENCE & OBSTRUCTION (ALWAYS at the discretion of the umpire) - please remember this is Tee Ball and these are little kids still learning the game!
Interference - Occurs when a base runner prevents a fielder from making an attempt on a batted ball.
Once the fielder makes an attempt on the ball, the ball is no longer considered a batted ball, and if the base runner runs into the fielder then there is no inference on the play. If interference is called, the play is dead, and the runner is out. The batter-runner is awarded first base and all other runners must return to the base they occupied at the time the ball was put into play.
Example 1 – A ball is hit off the tee, the first baseman is playing behind the bag at first. The base runner from first leaves on contact and is stuck by the batted ball or runs into the 1st baseman prior to being fielded by the first baseman. If, in the view of the umpire, the first baseman could have made a reasonable attempt at making the play, then the runner leaving first would be called out. The batter would go to first and all other runners would return to the base they occupied at the time the ball was put into play.
Example 2 – Same thing except the first baseman is in front of the bag at first. The ball goes between the first baseman's legs and strikes the runner leaving first base. In this case the runner at first is not called for inference and the play continues.
Example 3 – If the 1st baseman is playing even with the bag and only a couple of feet from 1st base and does not give the base runner the proper amount of room to avoid contact, this may not be considered Interference by the umpire and in fact may be called against the defense for obstruction.
Obstruction - occurs when a fielder, not making a play on a batted ball, impedes the runner from advancing. In this case, if a play is not being made directly on the impeded runner, play can continue, and the umpire can award additional bases to the runner at the conclusion of the play. If a play is being made on the impeded runner, then play should be called dead and the runner is awarded the next base.
Example 1 – Bases Loaded - A batter hits the ball off the tee against a team with no catcher, both the third baseman and the pitcher charge the ball. The pitcher gets the ball and both the pitcher, and the third baseman continue to the plate. The third baseman (without the ball) bumps into the runner going home. If, in the view of the umpire the runner would have reached home before the pitcher (with the ball), then obstruction can be called, the run is scored, and no out is awarded to the defense. If, however, the umpire does not feel that the runner would have beat the pitcher to the plate, the out is recorded, and obstruction is not called.
Example 2 – no one on. Batter hits a ball to the outfield and while rounding first, he runs into the 1st baseman and falls. This would be considered a delayed dead ball. The runner may continue to advance as far as he can on the play. Once the play is over the umpire can award as many bases as deemed appropriate. In this example the runner makes it to third as the ball hits the infield, the umpire, may determine that the player would have already been around 3rd base, if the Obstruction had not occurred and the player may be awarded home, thus awarding the batter with a homerun. In the event the umpire determines the player would have only reached third base without being obstructed and the player continues to home and attempts to score and is tagged out on the play, the out can be recorded for the defense.
OUTFIELDER FIELDING THE BALL IN THE INFIELD
Outfielders may not force a runner out at a base or tag a runner out from a batted ball. They must throw the ball to an infielder to stop the runners from advancing, just like if they were standing in the grass.
INFIELDER FIELDING THE BALL IN THE INFIELD
From a batted ball, each baseman (1st, 2nd, 3rd, catcher) can tag their own base to force a runner out as well as tag a runner out between bases. The shortstop can force a runner out at second base or third base without throwing the ball. As stated above, the pitcher must throw the ball to a base to record the out and may not chase down runners except for a play at home. When the catcher position is not being played, the pitcher may field the ball and run to home plate and force out the runner (if applicable) or tag the runner. Again, this only applies to the batted ball. If the ball is thrown in from the outfield, then any infielder can tag a runner out. The intent of this rule is to teach the kids to make the proper throws to the proper base to record an out and to prevent the more advanced kids from making all the defensive plays. It is a team game, and all kids need to be involved in the game.
INFIELD FLY RULE DOES NOT APPLY
As stated, there is no infield fly rule in effect for Tee Ball. Even though the infield fly rule is not called, the same rules apply to any fly ball that is caught. Example - A fly ball is hit to the shortstop. The ball is caught by the shortstop. Base runners must tag up prior to advancing.
TAG OR NO TAG
A fielder must tag the player with the ball or with the glove (if the ball is in the glove) to record an out. Tagging a runner with an empty glove is not considered a tag.
STAY OR GO
Runner on 1st and 3rd, one out. A ball is hit back to the pitcher. The runner at first must advance to 2nd. The runner at third is held at third until the ball is thrown by the pitcher to first. The player may advance home and score if they do so prior to an overthrow occurring. Once the overthrow has occurred a delayed dead ball is in effect and any runner that was attempting to advance from the base they occupied at the time the ball was put into play by the batter, may continue to advance. If the runner at third was simply standing on the base at the time of the overthrow, they must remain at third base. If they were attempting to advance home prior to the ball entering foul territory, then they can continue at their own risk.
Game Play is 60 minutes, finish the inning.
Rules regarding player positions still applies. Players are not allowed to play in the same position for two consecutive innings and must play at least 1 inning at an infield position.
Scoring: MAKE SURE YOUR SCORE KEEPER IS MAKING NOTE OF THE FOLLOWING: If the final score is a tie the following will determine the winner of the game:
Defensive outs (strike outs do not count)
Base hits
number of Home Runs
number of triples
number of doubles
number of singles
If all the above is the same a coin flip will determine the winner.