4/5U Beginner Tee Ball Division

Director(s): To Be Named Soon

Program Overview
The T-Ball program at NBNMLL is a non-competitive program meant to teach teamwork, sportsmanship, and very basic baseball skills (running the bases, fielding a ground ball, throwing to bases, etc.).  There are no outs in this program.  We try to keep the team size to a maximum of about 7-8 kids.  Small team size gives more individual attention to the players and also speeds up the pace of the games.  We try to keep the games to 45 mins max.

Safety First
Safety is our #1 priority, especially with our youngest players.  We ask parents review and help us enforce these rules
- AEDs and First Aid Kits with Ice Packs are available at all fields
- NO PLAYER SHOULD HAVE A BAT IN THEIR HANDS UNLESS WEARING A HELMET
- Players must have their own helmet with a full faceguard.  They must wear the helmet at all times while on the bases.
- No Bats allowed inside the dugout. Coaches will remove all bats from baseball bags and place them along the fence behind home plate, out of the dugout.  Players should only take their bat when they are walking up to the tee to hit.

Division Gameplay
Tee Ball games are approximately 45 minutes in length
- Games will be a minimum of 2, but no more than 3 innings.  It is based on time.
- During each inning, each team will bat every member of their team will bat.
-  During an At Bat (AB), player will hit the ball off the tee and run to 1st Base (1B).
- Next player will hit the ball and run to 1B.  Player that was on 1B will run to 2nd Base (2B).
- This process will continue until one batter remains.  This last batter will hit a home run and clear the bases.
- After batting, the teams will switch.  The team that just batted will play in the field.  Fielders will attempt to stop the ball and throw to 1st Base.  There are no outs in this program.  Even if the defense manages to get the ball to 1B before the runner, the runner remains on 1B.
- Coaches should modify batting order each inning to have a different player hit the home run and to have fielders play different positions.

Equipment Needed - Keep a look out for Dick's Sporting Goods 20% off coupons
Ball - We use a soft version of a baseball.  It is meant to be safer if a player gets hit by a thrown or hit ball.  Teams are provided these special baseballs to use at practice and at games.

Glove - Each child will need a glove.  If your child does not own a glove, I recommend not spending a lot of money on one.  As far as size, I'd go between 9 inches and 10.5.  9 inches is ideal for 4/5U.

Bat - If you want to purchase a bat for your child, just make sure it has the USA Baseball stamp.  There will be a team bat available for use.  Tee Ball bats are generally 24-26" and between -10 and -12 for the drop.  24" is ideal for most Tee Ball players.

Helmets -  You need to purchase a helmet with a facemask. They are available at Dick's Sporting Goods in the store (Most youth helmets are 6 3/8 -7 1/8 size).

Cups - Cups are required for older players.  Although it may be difficult to get a 3-5 year old to wear a protective cup, it is beneficial to get them used to wearing one.

Chest Protector (Heart guard) -  Although not mandatory, it is highly recommended the players were chest protectors.  We bought the one sewn into the shirt.  Here is an example:  https://www.mcdavidusa.com/hextm-sternum-shirt.  You can purchase at Dicks in-store or various online stores. 

Cleats  - Not mandatory.  Games will be on either grass, dirt, or turf field.  Again, the players will grow out of them quickly, so do not spend a lot of money if you choose to purchase cleats.  You can definitely use cleats from other sports (lacrosse, soccer, flag football, etc.)