Wesac Rules and Coaching tips – T-Ball

1. Have Fun!!
This is a recreational league and kids at this age have enough trouble knowing which way to run, let alone the finer points of the game like when to run Be a positive role model for the kids and their parents.

2. Teach Baseball Skills
Make sure the T is properly positioned (not in the middle of body, but closer to the pitcher) and that when throwing, kids step towards where they want the ball to go. Work on picking up ground balls and throwing to first. Don't worry about anything more advanced that that. A few good habits started here last a lifetime. If certain players are ready for more, please take the time to help them improve their skills.

3. Everybody Plays
The defense is pitcher, catcher, 5 infielders (one right on second base) and the rest in the outfield, at least 10 steps behind the infielders. Only put players who can defend themselves at first and pitcher, but try to work everyone to that skill level during the season. Each player should play the outfield the same number of times as every other player. The child who only shows up once every three games may have some catching up to do on outfielder time (use your judgment and make allowances for legitimate excuses like school activities, birthday parties and family events.) Make up the defensive positions in advance in order to keep the game moving. Write down who plays what, as kids and parents will complain about lack of time at choice positions.

4. Everybody Bats
An inning is once through the order. If there are seven or fewer players, and inning is nine batters (yes, if eight show up an inning is eight batters). In the unlikely event that there are three outs, clear the bases but keep the team at bat for the proper number of batters. Bat the team in uniform number order, but sometimes go backwards or start in the middle so that the same children don't always bat last.

5. Everybody Runs (but not all the time).
Any runner who was left on base at the end of an inning may return to that base at the start of the next inning (unless the last batter also made the third out). There are NO extra bases on overthrows at first. The play is over. Same for an overthrow at third. The play is over and runners go to the nearest base when a fielder controls the ball in the infield.

6. This isn't baseball yet.
No infield fly rule, no lead offs, no bunting, no advancing after a fly out. A betted ball caught in the air can be turned into a double (or triple or quadruple) play if the runners don't get back to their bases.

7. Games
Check the schedule for starting times. The first fifteen minutes of each game is for practicing throwing and catching (no batting practice on the field. You may practice batting in some other safe area). Talk to the other coach and do some joint drills. Games are generally three innings, but feel free to play four or five if time permits (total time is about 75 minutes).

8. Tips
Have the on deck batter hit off of a T behind the backstop into the backstop. This keeps the kids ready to play. The quicker you get to the on deck area, the more swings you get before you have to bat. On defense, have the positions determined in advance to avoid kids begging for their favorite spots. Have the positions in advance also keeps the game moving and lets you get more innings in.