6U Rules

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.

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.

1. a

   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.

2. b

   One coach will work with the batter hitting off the tee for his/her own team.

   1. i

      The coach may place the ball on the tee for the batter if an umpire is not present or at the umpire’s discretion.

   2. ii

      75–100% of the tee must be touching home plate.

   3. iii

      After placing the ball on the tee, the coach should move into position behind the umpire and catcher to not interfere with the catcher.

   4. iv

      The coach will be responsible for removing the tee/bat from home plate during the play.

3. c

   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.

1. a

   Two defensive coaches can be on the field in the outfield area to help the outfielders keep their attention on the game.

   1. i

      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.

   2. ii

      The coach can only instruct the outfielders as to what to do to get the ball back into the infield.

   3. iii

      The coach may not touch the outfielders to direct them to the ball.

   4. iv

      At no time shall a defensive coach be allowed to be in the infield during a live ball.

2. b

   One defensive coach can be in front of his/her dugout to help instruct the infielders.

   1. i

      The coach must stay between the dugout poles and no closer to home plate.

   2. ii

      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.

Home team 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.

A 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.

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.

Teams will provide their own game ball and own tee.

Game balls used will be 11″.

Hitting solely off the tee

1. 1

   Each swing that does not put the ball into play counts as a strike. Foul balls count as strikes.

2. 2

   Each player may take up to three swings off the tee to put the ball in play.

3. 3

   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” is not allowed.

Intentionally attempting to “dribble” the 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 counting. If it is the final swing of an at-bat, the player will be called out on strikes. The second thrown bat by a team will result in a team warning and all other thrown bats will be considered automatic outs. Play stops immediately, and no runners 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. No leading off is allowed.

Ball considered 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.

There are no advancements on overthrows or missed balls other than the base the runner would normally obtain. If stopped before the outfield, the batter can only take one base.

The runner cannot make a turn to the left or right to avoid a tag by a fielder (out of the base path).

Offensive coaches are not allowed to touch a base runner during a live ball to direct them.

Once the ball reaches the infield (dead ball), if a runner continues around the next base acquired, the defense may still attempt a tag. If safe, the runner will be returned to the correct base.

A ball 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 can tag home or make a force. If a catcher is played, the pitcher must throw to the catcher.

Catchers are not required for 6U play.

If playing a catcher, she must wear full gear (helmet, chest protector, knee/shin guards).

It is not necessary to use a catcher’s mitt in tee ball.

If only 7 players are present, a catcher cannot be used.

1st, 2nd, 3rd, and shortstop fielders cannot advance closer than the pitching rubber distance until the ball is hit. Outfield players must throw the ball into the infield to an infield player to make a play. No outfielder can cover an infield base.

Once the ball reaches the infield dirt, runners advance at their own risk.

Bases set at 40 feet.

Pitching rubber set at 30 feet.

A 16-foot diameter circle chalked around the pitching rubber.

Official ball: 11″ diameter Safe-T-Ball.

Bats: max 2-1/4″ diameter.

All players MUST wear a fielding face mask on the field (infield and outfield).

Overhand throws in most cases. Infielders are expected to throw overhand to teach mechanics. Underhand flips are acceptable only if too close to avoid injury, at the umpire’s discretion. Chasing down a player instead of throwing will result in the runner being safe.

Interference & obstruction

1. a

   Interference. Base runner prevents a fielder from making an attempt on a batted ball. Runner is out, ball dead.

2. b

   Obstruction. Fielder impedes a runner while not making a play on a batted ball.

Outfielder fielding in infield. Must throw to an infielder to stop runners.

Infielder fielding in infield. Shortstop can force at 2nd or 3rd without throwing. Pitcher must throw.

Infield fly rule. Does not apply — but catching a fly ball means runners must tag up.

Tag or no tag. Fielder must tag with the ball or the glove holding the ball. Empty glove tag is not an out.