Section 5: KIDS FIRST SPORTS PLAYING RULES
Tee ball/Coach Pitch division (Ages 4-5)
(Revised 4/12/12)
UMPIRES: The manager, a coach or a parent shall act as umpire in the
Tee Ball/Coach Pitch Division.
CATCHER BACK-UP: An adult from the offensive team shall back-up the
catcher to keep the game moving. If no parent is available from the
offensive team, the defensive team may provide the back up.
Rule 1.10 of Little League Baseball’s rulebook provides the specifications for bats
are allowed in games. The bat must have a smooth, rounded surface and must be
made from wood or a metal alloy, such as titanium alloy or aluminum alloy,
approved through Little League testing for play. Most bat manufacturers clearly
label bats as Little League-approved.
The rulebook states that bats used in ages 4-11 (Kids First extend this to age 12)
must be no longer than 33 inches and no more than 2.25 inches in diameter. Bat
Performance Factor is another consideration for all non-wood bats. Most bat
manufacturers now label bats with a BPF number. To qualify for use in the three
lowest divisions of Little League Baseball, bats must have a BPF of 1.15 or less.
BPF does not apply to wood bats.
5.1 PITCHING AND BASE DISTANCE: The manager, a coach or parent will
pitch to their team at a distance they feel most comfortable. Kids
First recommends all coaches pitch overhand.
A. BALLS/STRIKES: There will be no balls or strikes called. The
batter will be allowed FIVE swings to hit the ball from a
baseball tee. If the batter does not hit a fair ball within FIVE
swings, the batter will be called out and asked to sit down.
Coach may provide assistance after third swing to ensure the
player hits the ball prior to the fifth swing.
Coach must not
swing the bat for the players or place his hands on the bat while
the batter is swinging. (Coach should utilize practice swings to
ensure the players are using a level swing, etc.)
***Every player will be required to utilize the batting tee for the
first inning of every game, regardless of their hitting ability. ***
If a coach notices a player hitting the ball well from the tee, after
the first inning, the coach may pitch to the player. In this case the
player will be pitched THREE pitches.
If the player doesn’t hit the
ball within THREE pitches, the coach will place the ball on the tee and
the player will have TWO swings remaining to hit the ball. If the
player doesn’t hit the ball after two swings, the player will be
required to sit down.
B. BASE DISTANCE: The base distance for Coach Pitch will be 35 feet.
5.2 OFFENSIVE INNING AND SCORE: An offensive inning shall be completed
once each player on the offensive (batting) team has had an opportunity
to bat. ***Teams will not keep track of the number of outs in an inning
so the traditional three outs will not be implemented at this age
level.
However, if a player is called out at any base, they will be
required to sit down.*** Each player will have an opportunity to bat
during each inning that is played. THERE IS NO FIVE RUN RULE IN THIS
AGE DIVISION. THE INNING IS OVER AFTER EVERYONE HAS HAD AN OPPORTUNITY
TO BAT.
A. KEEPING SCORE: Both teams will be given a score card to record the
score after each inning.
Home team is responsible for notifying Kids
First Director of Personnel of the score within 24 hours after the end
of the game so score can be posted to the team schedule. PLEASE DO NOT
REPORT TIE GAMES AS OFFICIAL SCORE. THERE IS ALWAYS A WINNING TEAM!
OFFENSIVE BASE COACHES: FOUR COACHES PERMITTED IN THE INFILED (coaches
should be placed on each base and one pitching.
DEFENSIVE COACHING:
***No limit to the number of parents a coach
wishes to place in the field to assist the players; however, defensive
coaches must not interfere with the offensive coaches and must
interfere with a ball in play. Make every effort to fill the infield
positions and have remaining players out in the outfield area.
This
will avoid congestion in the infield area and allow players more
opportunity to realize who should field the ball.
5.3 BASE RUNNING LIMITS: Base running will be limited as follows for
batters and base runners:
A. Base runners may not steal bases and must remain in contact with the
base occupied until the batter hits the ball.
B. All batters are limited to a single or one base (no advancement on
an overthrow) if the ball is hit in the infield. Runners on base may
also advance only one base. If the ball is hit into the outfield (in
the air or on the ground)the batter is limited to two bases(double).
Any players on base may also advance two bases. The last player in the
lineup has an opportunity to clear the bases.
Coaches should allow
each player an opportunity during the season to be the last hitter in
the line up.
5.4 DEFENSIVE TEAM: The defensive team must field a minimum of nine
players and has the option to field all available players on defense.
Positions on the field are not enforced at this age, however it is
recommended that the coaches begin introducing the players to the names
of the different positions on the field. Coaches are encouraged to use
standard number of infielders and place remaining team in the outfield
area. The coach does not have to fill the catcher or pitcher positions
if they do not want to. Catcher is only required to wear the helmet and
chest protector.
5.5 TIME LIMIT:
Teams must play a minimum of 60 minutes, but cannot
exceed 1.5 hours in length.