BLESSED SACRAMENT SCHOOL INSTRUCTIONAL BASEBALL POLICY
COACH PITCH & T-BALL DIVISIONS
The T-Ball and Coach Pitch programs offer a fun environment for boys and girls to learn the fundamentals of baseball. The purpose of these leagues is to formulate rules of play that will guarantee all players equal participation in the game and provide coaching that will develop team spirit and sportsmanship, rather than expert players. It is the basic philosophy of the League to provide a wholesome experience for all players.
Practices/games usually begin the FIRST WEEK of MAY, running 8 weeks (usually through the end of June). The games are limited to no more than 5 innings with a 1 ½ hour time limit. Innings are 3 outs or 4 runs, whichever comes first – this keeps the game moving but still teaches the fundamentals of hitting and fielding.
T-Ball League: Children entering Kindergarten or currently in Kindergarten (NOTE: A child must be at least 4 years old to participate.)
Coach-Pitch League: Kindergarten (if they previously played T-Ball), Grades 1 & 2
The following is a list of guidelines and procedures that govern the program. The Director must grant exception to any guideline or procedure. Players, coaches, and parents/guardians must adhere to the following guidelines:
TEAM COMPOSITION
- Every attempt will be made by the Director to keep the team rosters to a maximum of 10 players. Please recognize that there may be exceptions based upon the number of registrations received.
- Every effort will be made to honor requests for players to play with friends or for certain coaches, based upon the number of registrations and the number of requests. New players will be added to existing rosters from the previous season, such as to maintain some continuity among the coaches for purposes of teaching basic skills.
- Players may be added to teams after the registration deadline at the discretion of the Director.
ATTENDANCE
- All players and coaches are expected to attend and be on time for weekly practices and games. We urge that parents provide coaches with 24-hour notice if you anticipate not making a practice or a game, in fairness to the other members of the team and the coach’s time.
SUPERVISION
- All coaches (head coaches and assistants) are required to attend VIRTUS training, as mandated by the Diocese of Covington and Blessed Sacrament School. Information on training sessions can be found at http://www.virtus.org/.
- There are to be a minimum of two responsible adults (VIRTUS-trained) at each practice and game.
- Coaches must ensure that all players have parents or designated guardians pick them up at the conclusion of each practice and game. The coach is expected to stay at the practice/game location until all players have been escorted from that location.
- Parents/guardians should be prompt in dropping off/picking up their children, out of courtesy for the coaching staff.
PLAYING TIME
- All players will play in the field every inning of every game on defense. The batting order and speed of the game will dictate how many ‘at-bats’ each player receives.
- Defensive players must change positions every inning, to ensure all players have equal opportunity to play infield/outfield.
COMMUNICATION AND SPORTSMANSHIP
- Players, coaches, and parents/guardians are accountable for their behavior during practices and games. They are expected to display good sportsmanship and a positive attitude towards other players, coaches, and parents/guardians. If unsportsmanlike behavior is displayed, it will be up to the Director to determine whether or not corrective action should be taken. Disrespectful or unsportsmanlike conduct on the part of any player, coach, or parent will not be tolerated.
RULES FOR T-BALL & COACH PITCH DIVISIONS
- Pitching distance (Coach Pitch) is 45 feet. Bases are 60 feet. Only “Safety” or RIF-10 baseballs are to be used. Hardballs are not permitted.
- No metal spikes or cleats will be allowed.
- All games will be 5 innings or 90 minutes – whichever comes FIRST.
- No new inning shall commence after the 1 hour 15 minute mark.
- Each team shall list all players present at the games. This will be the batting order during the entire game. All late players will be listed last.
- An inning will be 3 outs or 4 runs, whichever comes first.
- Each batter will have a maximum of 6 pitches thrown to him/her. No count of strikes or balls will be kept. If the player fails to hit the ball after 6 pitches, a batting tee will be used. It is important to the flow of the game that the 6-pitch rule be enforced.
- Pitchers will be from the offensive team and will be an adult.
- All players must take the field in the defensive half-inning. Coach Pitch teams may field a catcher, at the coach’s discretion. However, please make every effort to not allow this to slow down the game.
- All players should have a minimum of 2 batting opportunities.
- Overthrows – play is dead when the ball reaches the infield. Runners may advance to the base he/she was running to when dead ball is called.
- Stealing is not allowed.
- Bunting is not allowed.
- There is no infield fly rule.
- There will be no protests.
- Batters must wear a batting helmet when at bat and on the base paths. Catchers must wear a catcher’s helmet and throat protector.
- “OFFICIAL BASEBALL RULES” will be followed in all instances not aforementioned. However, coaches may modify any rules by mutual agreement before the game starts.
- Any team that is short of players will draw players from the opposing team at game time if agreed upon.
INCLEMENT WEATHER POLICY: There is no Rain-Out Phone Line. In the event of inclement weather, including hearing thunder or seeing lightning, play will be halted immediately. All players, coaches, and spectators are to leave the field and take shelter. Play may resume 15 minutes after the last sight of lightning or hearing of thunder. Rescheduling of games/practices due to inclement weather is the decision of the coaches involved in the event. It is the responsibility of the coaches to notify their respective teams of rescheduled games/practices.