"The Rules" - Where to find T-Ball rules?

[utseay]

How do your areas establish the rules / by laws for your leagues (I'm specifically intersted in tball)?

For instance, our league says they play by "Utrip" rules, but anytime we go to another field / area to play we hear different rules that aren't listed in the USSSA rules (below).

Do some areas / cities create their own rules? Are SEAA rules much different, and maybe they are playing by this?

For instance, USSSA rules only mention bats cannot be over 2 3/4". However, two fields we played at questioned a few of our "Big Barrel", saying they cannot be used in tball. One said, you can't use anything over 2 1/4". I am unable to find this rule in USSSA, and cannot find SEAA rules at all. Any help, thoughts, ideas would be appreciated.

USSSA "Utrip" Rules:

http://www.usssabaseball.org/2011_rules.htm

[scorekeeper]

Utseay,

Don’t get all caught up in the rules for t-ball. IMO, if anything, t-ball needs fewer rules and less organization so the kids can PLAY.

[scorekeeper]

Utseay,

Don’t get all caught up in the rules for t-ball. IMO, if anything, t-ball needs fewer rules and less organization so the kids can PLAY.

[bbrages]

Different organizations will have their own rules. For example, bats marked "Coach Pitch" can't be used in 6u T-ball in Super Series:

http://www.superseriesbaseball.com/2012batrules.pdf

[scorekeeper]

Different organizations will have their own rules. For example, bats marked "Coach Pitch" can't be used in 6u T-ball in Super Series:

That’s an excellent point and one that causes many of the problems encountered in baseball below the ML level. There are too many kingdoms and that causes too many rule sets. In Canada, there’s one organization that governs all amateur baseball, I won’t even try to count all the different organizations in this country.

I’m sure Canada has its “issues” in amateur baseball, but its nothing like the problems this country encounters. We have USA Baseball which is supposed to be the governing body for all amateur baseball in the USA, but it stays far away from everything but the team USA issues.

[utseay]

Utseay,

Don’t get all caught up in the rules for t-ball. IMO, if anything, t-ball needs fewer rules and less organization so the kids can PLAY.

I agree, they need fewer rules and better coach training in most areas at this level.

However, as an asst. coach I've tried to review and understand the rules. Bats are a big purchase for some parents, and I like to give them the correct information. I've found some areas follow USSSA, some SEAA, some a combination of their own rules and USSSA or SEAA.

[bballdad175]

Many areas will adopt local league rules which may be more restrictive than their organization's (Pony, USAAA, etc) rules. But bats should not be a big purchase in T-Ball nor should players really even buy their own for level of play anyway. It's t-ball for crying out loud. Let them use anything they don't hurt themselves with. Save the $$ for buying bats for when it's really important, like little league.

[tradosaurus]

T-ball has rules? LOL

[tg643]

I can't comment on conflicting tee ball rules. Leaving town to play tee ball is absurd. That USSSA sponsors tee ball tournaments and national championships is even more absurd

[shake-n-bake]

Rule #1 - No disappointing snacks, only good stuff after the game.

Rule #2 - Bat the lineup based on uniform number. It's the cutest thing seeing the kids sitting on the bench next to each other in uniform number order.

Rule #3 - Everyone has something to feel good about post game.

There you have it - universal t-ball rules.

[scorekeeper]

I agree, they need fewer rules and better coach training in most areas at this level.

However, as an asst. coach I've tried to review and understand the rules. Bats are a big purchase for some parents, and I like to give them the correct information. I've found some areas follow USSSA, some SEAA, some a combination of their own rules and USSSA or SEAA.

I commend you for your willingness to spend the extra effort to understand the rules, and I didn’t mean to come off as saying rules weren’t important because they are, and more coaches at all levels should follow your lead. What I was trying to get across, was that t-ball isn’t supposed to be for anything other than introducing kids to organized baseball, and nothing much beyond that.

Sure everyone should do their best to teach the kids the game, but t-ball by its very nature and the kids it services, is meant to be nothing but fun. And if the kids make a lot of mistakes and end up concentrating on picking their noses rather than where to throw the ball if it comes to them and they can flag it down, its all good. Things like that should bring laughter to everyone and let the kids know baseball isn’t a matter of life and death.

Good luck!

[CircleChange11]

Rule #1 - No disappointing snacks, only good stuff after the game.

Rule #2 - Bat the lineup based on uniform number. It's the cutest thing seeing the kids sitting on the bench next to each other in uniform number order.

Rule #3 - Everyone has something to feel good about post game.

There you have it - universal t-ball rules.

I love this, especially #2.

What was amazing to me is how contagious going to the bathroom is. Seriously, one kid has to pee and before you know it the whole infield has their knees together ... even if you made the whole team pee before the game.

[bbrages]

nor should players really even buy their own for level of play anyway.

I think it's a good thing for kids to have a bat at home. T-ball age is the only time you can actually get some good batting in in a small backyard without annoying the neighbors too much... High $$$ bat not required, though.

[CircleChange11]

We have some lesser players using the most expensive bats.

Reminded me of basketball and bench players wearing the priciest Jordans. We used to say "Dude, you're embarrassing your shoes."

[utseay]

I commend you for your willingness to spend the extra effort to understand the rules, and I didn’t mean to come off as saying rules weren’t important because they are, and more coaches at all levels should follow your lead. What I was trying to get across, was that t-ball isn’t supposed to be for anything other than introducing kids to organized baseball, and nothing much beyond that.

Sure everyone should do their best to teach the kids the game, but t-ball by its very nature and the kids it services, is meant to be nothing but fun. And if the kids make a lot of mistakes and end up concentrating on picking their noses rather than where to throw the ball if it comes to them and they can flag it down, its all good. Things like that should bring laughter to everyone and let the kids know baseball isn’t a matter of life and death.

Good luck!

Thanks. I understand the "T-Ball has rules?" comments. I'm sure I'll be there one day too. T-ball is cute, but people also spend money on it, parents get into it and kids love to play it. The coaches have a responsiblity to teach and provide equipment within the rules, and I'm just trying to figure those rules out.

I'm also finding that there's a heiarchy of rules depending on which park you play at:
- Ball park specific rules
- City rules (if park is within city limits)
- Then USSSA / SEAA

Thanks for all the comments.