PCAA T-Ball Division (Ages 4-5)

Purpose

The T-Ball division is intended to provide a fun introduction to the game of baseball. We teach the basic fundamentals of fielding, throwing, catching and hitting. The basic rules of the game are also taught in T-Ball. Players hit from a stationary tee after swinging at up to five coach pitches from a short distance. The focus should be on developing all of our players above all else. 

Ages

1. Boys & Girls ages 4-5 years. (Link to Age Chart) 
2. We also allow 6-year-olds to “play down” in the T-Ball division if evaluations suggest the player is not quite ready for the Rookie division.

Practice & Games

1. T-Ball teams practice one night during the week for an hour.
2. Games are played on Saturday and last three innings.
3. All practices and games are held on the T-Ball fields located on South Polk Street at the front of Pineville Elementary School.
4. There will be no end of season tournament in T-Ball.
5. Coaches are encouraged to capture defensive outs made, in addition to runs, in order to make it meaningful and stress improvement in fielding throughout the season.
6. There are no umpires for T-Ball games. The coach pitcher will call outs. The 2 defensive coaches will provide help where requested.

Evaluations & Draft

There are no evaluations for T-Ball division players.

General Rules for Season

1. All teams must be ready to play at game time (we are adding a practice slot 30 minutes prior to each game to warm up and be ready to start on time). 
2. Games are a total of three (3) innings.
3. All players bat every inning.
4. Ball control is NOT a factor for play stoppage in T-Ball. The ball reaching infield dirt determines play stoppage.
5. Coaches will not touch players in the field to help make a defensive play (example: no using feet to stop a ball rolling in the outfield) or physically assist players while running bases.
6. The offensive team is limited to four (4) coaches on the field. One coach pitching and one coach catching plus two base coaches.
7. The defensive team is limited to two (2) coaches in the field. Coaches should align themselves behind the infielders. The coaches can position players and talk to them before and after the plays. If a player is having a difficult time, an additional coach or parent can accompany the player in the field to assist.

Hitting

1. Each player receives five pitches from their coach at a safe distance to home plate. Extra pitches are allowed as long as the last ball is fouled off.
2. If a player fails to put the ball in play (beyond the 6-foot arc in front of home plate) after five pitches, the player then hits off the tee.
3. The ball is considered “in play” if it rolls beyond or lands on the 6-foot arc.
4. The coach may pitch under hand or over hand and adjust distances if necessary based on skill level.
5. Batters and base runners are required to wear helmets at all times. No exceptions.

Base Running

1. No player may advance beyond the base directly in front of him or her unless the ball is HIT into the outfield (including the ball rolling into the outfield).
2. Runners may continue to advance bases (at risk) if the ball remains anywhere in the outfield after being HIT there.
3. After the ball reaches infield dirt, players may finish running toward the base directly in front of them AT RISK. All players must then stop running bases.
4. If a player is called out at first base that player must return to the dugout.
5. Runners can be tagged out for over-running 2nd and/or 3rd base at any point during season and must return to the dugout.
6. There are no advancements on overthrows to any base. Infielders are encouraged to throw to first base or attempt to throw out any other lead runner.

Fielding

1. The defensive lineup is limited to 6 total infielders.  Positions consist of 1B, 2B, 3B, SS, only one (1) defensive player in the pitching circle, and one (1) defensive player playing directly in front of 2B.  All other players are deemed outfielders and must start each play with their feet in the outfield grass.
2. When a ball is hit to the outfield, the defensive team can only stop play by throwing or running the ball onto the infield dirt.
3. A player may not play the same position for more than one inning (this encourages players to move around and experience multiple positions).
4. All T-Ball players must be given at least one inning at an infield position.
5. Players are not allowed to roll or “bowl” the ball to make outs.
6. The pitcher must attempt throws to all bases except home plate otherwise the runner will be awarded the base (example: NOT allowed to “race” the batter to first base holding the ball or to tag runners advancing to 2nd or 3rd base).
7. In the event of a tie between the fielder and runner at any base, the tie goes to the defensive team

PCAA Code of Conduct & Sportsmanship Focus

PCAA asks all players, parents and coaches to demonstrate good sportsmanship and maintain a positive attitude while participating in our programs.

We believe mutual respect between players, coaches, parents and umpires forms the foundation of a fun environment for learning and friendly competition.

Swearing or foul language is prohibited during PCAA games and practices.

Umpires should NOT be spoken to beyond “small talk” unless within an official coaching or score keeping capacity.

Parents and players are prohibited from addressing the umpire in an unsportsmanlike or disrespectful manner. Failure to follow this rule will result in parents or players being ejected and removed from the sports facility.

Coaches are allowed to calmly discuss a call with an umpire who is willing to have that conversation but when possible this should happen in between innings.

Any dugout chanting or chatter should only be directed at teammates and be in the utmost positive light. Failure to follow this rule will result in that team’s forfeit and immediate cancellation of the game.

If there is an injury on the field all players should be instructed to “take a knee” until play is resumed.

T-Ball FAQs

T-Ball Goals

Goals

1. Learn | Work Hard | Have Fun!!!!!
   1. Encourage kids to make the throws instead of holding the ball
   2. Listen to coaches on the field and on the bench
   3. Cheer for their teammates
2. Fielding
   1. Game Ready
      1. Knees bent
      2. Feet shoulder width apart and toes pointing towards home plate, weight on balls of feet.
      3. Glove ready to receive ball
   2. Ground Balls
      1. Move towards ball, get body in front
      2. Knees bent/butt down
      3. Receive ball in front of feet.  Keep eyes on the ball.  “Watch the ball into your glove”
      4. “Alligator”
   3. Know when to tag and when there is a force out
3. Throwing
   1. Glove side shoulder facing target
   2. Ball nice and high
   3. Step with glove side foot
   4. Release ball in front of your body
   5. Move towards target
4. Batting
   1. Where to stand in batter’s box
   2. Feet shoulder width apart
   3. Knees bent
   4. Hold bat in fingers (not palm) and not too tight
   5. Keep eye on ball
   6. Head down, maintain eye on ball through swing
   7. Small step during swing
5. Base Running
   1. Know which bases are which and the order to run in
   2. Run through first base, turn back towards 1st base coach
   3. Look at first base coach for signal
   4. Look at 3rd base coach while approaching second base
   5. Don’t over run second or third base
   6. Can’t leave base until ball is hit