2009
MADISON BASEBALL ASSOCIATION
LOCAL RULES & REGULATIONS
SECTION 5 - PREP LEAGUE -DIVISION A
6 (six) year old T-Ball League

1. A team may consist of 13 players or less.
    

2. Home team has 3rd base dugout.
    

3. A regulation game will consist of five (5) innings.  Games will have a one (1) hour time limit. Innings started before the time limit expires will be completed.  A new inning shall not be started after the one (1) hour time limit has passed.
    

4. A defensive team shall consist of no more than 11 players, with no more than 6 infielders including the catcher.  In the event one team has less than eleven (11) players available, then both defensive teams shall consist of a maximum of 10 players. 
1. No player shall sit out on defense more than 1 inning in a game, and coaches are encouraged to not sit any player more than 1 inning per week (assuming 2 games per week). 
2. All infielders, except the catcher, must be at least forty (40) feet from home plate at the point of time the ball is hit by the batter.
3. The catcher should be positioned behind the batter and against the chain link fence at a distance that is safe from thrown bats.   The catcher shall not move toward home plate until the ball is hit and the bat has safely cleared the home plate area.
4. All outfielders must be at least twenty (20) feet behind the baseline at the point of time the ball is hit by the batter.  PENALTY:  If any fielder is not at the proper distance when the batter hits the ball (umpire’s judgment), the offensive team shall have the option of accepting or nullifying the results of the play that occurred on the violation. If nullified, the at-bat is replayed.
5. A catcher must be used at all times except if the defensive team only has 8 available players.  Catchers may stand behind the batter, against the backstop, or may be placed in the squatting position.  Catchers standing against the backstop must be equipped, at a minimum, with a helmet with face guard.  If a catcher is in squatting position, they must be equipped with full catchers gear - helmet with face guard, shin guards and chest protector.
    

5. A T-ball baseball or equivalent shall be used for all local play.
    

6. All players present at game time will be placed into the batting order.  Any player arriving after the beginning of the game shall be added to the bottom of the batting order.
    

7. The ball shall not be pitched, but hit off a tee located directly on top of and in line with home plate.   It is the offensive coach’s duty to remove the tee after the batter hits the ball and leaves the box.   He should also replace the tee after the play is ruled dead by the umpire.
    

8. A batter hitting a foul ball on the third strike will continue the at-bat until either the ball is missed or hit into fair territory.
    

9. Any ball that is hit from the tee must advance to a point on or beyond the restraining line. This restraining line will be clearly marked with marble dust from a location twenty (20) feet from the point of home plate down the first base foul line, across the playing field (in an arc) to a location twenty (20) feet from the point of home plate down the third base foul line. Any ball stopping within the restraining area will be played as if it were a foul ball.
    

10. If only the tee is hit, the ball is a foul ball and play is dead regardless of how far the ball advances.
     

11. The batter will not swing at the ball until the pitcher has made a pitching motion from the pitching rubber. (PENALTY: A strike is called.)
     

12. The batter is required to swing the bat at the ball.   Bunting the ball is not allowed.   If, in the judgment of the umpire, the batter did not attempt a swing, the batter will be given a strike.  
     

13. The batter must keep both of his feet in the batters box through contact with the ball.   Batters can not stand or stride out of the batters box prior to contact with the ball.
     

14. The pitcher may never play in front of the pitching rubber and  must remain with 3 feet of the rubber until the ball is hit by the batter.
     

15. The pitcher will at all times wear a heart protector as provided by the league.
     

16. Runners will be allowed only one (1) base on an overthrow outside the foul lines, unless a defensive play is made. If a defensive play is made on any runner, the ball is alive and in fair territory. Runners may advance at their own risk. The runner is not automatically given the next base on an overthrow.
     

17.  Any Player "slinging the bat" which in the Umpire’s judgment creates a dangerous situation shall receive a warning. The managers of the opposing teams shall be notified of the warning. For any future infractions in the same game, the Batter shall be declared out and no base runner shall be allowed to advance. It has been decided a warning to player does not mean the whole team.
     

18. When the baseball is in the infield in the possession of a fielder and the lead runner has stopped running, the ball becomes dead. Other runners may advance to the next base only providing they were running when the ball was declared dead.
     

19. There is NO infield fly rule.
     

20. Players are not allowed to steal or lead off bases. (PENALTY: The runner is declared out.)
     

21. No team shall score more than six (6) runs in one inning. If there are not three (3) outs when six (6) runs are scored, that half inning is complete.
     

22. At least one (1) certified coach for each team must be present at all times.
     

23. Only managers, coaches, players and umpires shall be allowed on the field or in dugouts during the game. Each team is allowed one (1) manager and three (3) coaches in the dugout. In addition, a designated “team parent” may be present in the dugout.  Two (2) offensive adult coaches may coach from the baselines in the designated coaching boxes, and one offensive adult coach may assist the batter. Also, two defensive coaches may assume positions behind 1st and 3^rd bases in designated coaches’ boxes (8 feet behind the bases in foul territory). All other managers and coaches must remain standing or kneeling, within three feet of the dug out opening of their appropriate dugout. This does not supersede the umpires’ jurisdiction of restricting the coach or manager to the dugout. Buckets are not allowed in the playing area.
     

24. Players cannot intentionally (in the judgment of the umpire) roll the ball (overhand or underhand) to get the runner out. The penalty is the runner is safe.
     

25. If the thrown ball goes out of play, i.e. in the dugout or over the fence in foul territory, runners may advance one base only.
     

26. The home plate umpire is responsible for keeping the catcher a safe distance from the bat and batter.
     

27. The runner is out when, in the judgment of the umpire, the base coach at first base, or third base, touches or holds the runner, physically assisting that runner in returning to or leaving the base.