T-Ball Rules

Focus on participation, not competition

Equipment Required: Hitting tee, small/medium bat, 11” flexiball, set of bases including safety base, pitching strip, home plate. Gloves, helmets & catching equipment optional.

Rules: The rules listed here are recommended by Softball New Zealand in order to keep the game simple and allow for children aged between 6 to 9 years to enjoy the game in a non-competitive environment.

  • Base Distance: 10 metres.
  • The Home Plate shall be placed immediately behind the hitting tee so that runners do not collide with the tee, fielders or the ball.
  • A safety base (an extra base placed on the outside of 1st base) will be used so that runners do not collide with the 1st base fielder.
  • T-Ball is a mixed gender game, particularly suitable for 6 to 9 year old children.
  • A team will consist of a minimum of 7 and a maximum of 12 players.
  • Every player present shall be placed on the field for a minimum of a batting & fielding innings each during the course of a game.
  • Use fielding positions to determine your batting order. The order will be;
  1. Pitcher
  2. Catcher
  3. 1st base
  4. 2nd base
  5. 3rd base
  6. shortstop
  7. left field
  8. centre field
  9. right field
  • It is OK to have one extra outfielder. This player will occupy the position following right field in the batting order.
  • Players must rotate positions in order to learn different positions. Ensure that boys do not dominate key positions.
  • There are no specific rules regarding bat throwing. However encourage batters to drop the bat, rather than fling it once they have hit the ball off the tee.
  • Stay on the base until the ball; has been hit (no stealing)
  • Deliberate short hits (bunting) are not allowed.
  • If a team is short of players, then they can “borrow” players from the opposition if necessary to balance the number of players in each team (optional).
  • There shall be a minimum of four (4) infielders, and they must stay on the infield area. Pitchers & catchers are not considered infielders. There shall be a minimum of 3 outfielders, but there is provision to add another outfielder.
  • Coloured markers or small cones can be used to indicate fielding positions (optional).