The 6u/T-ball division is a child’s first real exposure to playing softball. The goals of our program are to introduce the youth to the fundamentals of softball, provide an encouraging environment, have a ton of fun, and leave the kids with a positive, memorable experience. Your child will participate in a structured program teaching the fundamentals of hitting, throwing, base running, and fielding. Controlled games will be used to promote the development of their skills. There are no umpires and no score keeping.

Expectations

Each age division focuses on fundamental building blocks for success. These are the goals that we hope, and you should expect your child to have achieved by the completion of the 6u/T-ball level:

• Learn the Basic Rules – the correct direction to run when the ball is hit; runners must touch the bases; how to record outs (catch the ball in the air, throw to first, or tag the runners); running past first base, scoring a run, three outs constitute an inning.

• Throwing Mechanics – turn the body so that the front shoulder points toward the target; keep the elbow above the shoulder; step toward the target with the non-throwing foot and release the ball.

• Tracking – follow the ball with the eyes to the glove, whether on the ground or in the air; use two hands to catch and field; try to catch the ball out in front of the body.

• Hitting – how to hold and swing the bat; batting safely (when not to swing bats, wearing batting helmets, etc.); hitting off a tee; hitting softly tossed pitches from the coach.

• Learning Positional Play – when the ball is hit, what should you do.

Safety Rules

• Cleats are required for practices and games

• Any player in the Catcher fielding position is required to be in full catchers gear (helmet, chest protector, and shin guards) during play for practices and games

• Any offensive player on the field is required to wear a batting helmet during play at practices and games

• All defensive players on the field (infield and outfield) are required to wear protective face masks during play at practices and games

Rules of Play

• All games will be timed as close to one hour as possible.

• The Home Team will be determined by Lagging at the start of each game (when opponent team is within our league).

• Dugout assignments (when opponent team is within our league) will be based on a first come, first serve basis.

• Each team will bat through their lineup at least 2 times. Outs on runners will be counted and runner will return to the dugout. In the event that 3 outs are obtained before the offensive team has completed their entire lineup at bat, the offensive team will continue their at bat until their lineup is complete before turning over the inning. All players will bat in each inning regardless of the number of outs that are made against them.

• Teams will place all players on the field whenever possible.

• Coaches are encouraged to be on the field of play to assist players with instruction during the game.

• Players may be placed strategically when safety is a concern (ie. Player is not attentive to the game, hazard of being hit, etc.)

• Each player will receive 3 pitches from their own coach. If the player does not hit from coach pitch, the tee will be put into play. Every player at bat will end with a hit.

• The batter/runner is allowed to advance one base per hit ball. There will be no stealing or advancing on overthrows.