Dover New Hampshire Baseball

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Dover Baseball Tee-Ball Division Guidelines

                                                            Revised: February 2023

 

 

The Dover Baseball Association is affiliated with Babe Ruth League, Inc., which includes the Cal Ripken Baseball League. These organizations have adopted the Official Baseball Rules, published by the Commissioner of Baseball, as their primary playing rules. These rules allow for local league modifications to best suit the needs of its players.

 

The following modifications to the existing national rules have been generated, and Board approved, with the intent of helping every player reach their full potential in a safe and competitive environment.

 

 

I.     Player Eligibility

·    Players participating in the Tee Ball Division must be 4 or 5 years of age by the Babe Ruth designated cut- off date of April 30th.

 

II.     Game Day Rules and Expectations

·    Games are played on Saturdays at Garrison Elementary School and will last 60 minutes.

·    The first 10-15 minutes should be spent warming the players up (perhaps running the bases, throwing) with the other team if that is easier.

·    The game should start after the warm-up session and should last about 45 minutes.  This should be enough to allow both teams to bat through the lineup twice.

-          If the team is playing quickly, please feel free to play extra innings to use your full hour of game time.

·    Game scores and league standings are not recorded for this division.

·    Outs are encouraged but not observed.  Players will not be required to leave the base.

·    A station approach works best with kids this age.

·    There is no leading, stealing, or advancing on an overthrow.  Each player advances one base until the last batter of the inning hits.  He/she can run around all the bases and all runners should score.

·    Batters will hit off a Tee that is placed at a height to promote the development of a level swing.

·    All bats must be regulation Tee Ball size and weight. A good guideline is 24-26 inches long and 13-18 ounces.

·    Coaches are encouraged to field the traditional six infield position, minus the catchers position.

·    All additional players will be positioned in the outfield or at the back edge of the infield.

·    Coaches are expected to be in the field when their team is on defense to help keep the kids alert and engaged.

 

III.     Player Safety

i)    Only Softie Balls will be used during games and practices.

ii)  Only the player at bat will have a bat in their hands.  

iii) All batters and base runners will wear a safety helmet while on the field of play.

iv) Batters will keep their helmets on from the time they enter the designated on-deck area until the time they return to the dugout after the play is over.

v)  It is recommended that all male players wear a protective cup during all games and practices.

vi)  Should anyone need any equipment for the season please reach out to the Division Director.

 

 

 

 

IV.     Day of Game Responsibilities

The Home Team is:

i)    listed second on the schedule and will use the 1st base dugout;

ii)  Responsible for preparing the field for play; including raking the base paths and putting out the bases.

iii) Responsible for cleaning up the trash in the home dugout area following the game.

 

The Visiting Team is:

i)    listed first on the schedule and will use the 3rd base dugout;

ii)  Responsible for maintaining the field after play; including raking the base paths and putting away the bases; and makes sure equipment shed is locked.

iii) Responsible for cleaning up the trash in the visitor dugout area following the game.

 

 

V.     Division Director Responsibilities

a)  Communication

The Division Director is responsible for maintaining contact with coaches and parents regarding issues pertaining to the division.

 

b)  Cancellations

i)    Due to weather or field conditions, League and city-wide cancellations may be made by Dover

Baseball or the City of Dover.  Announcement of these cancellations will be posted on the

Association’s web page.

ii)  If a coach feels it is necessary to cancel games, it should be done only after consultation and agreement with the coach from the opposing team. Keep in mind, it is a short season, making up games can be difficult and we live in New Hampshire so the weather is not always ideal.  Cancelling games should only be done if necessary.

 

VI.   Parent Responsibility

a)  Communication

i)  It is the parent’s responsibility to appropriately communicate with coaches any concerns they may have regarding team issues.

ii) It is the parent’s responsibility to ensure that they have read the Dover Baseball Code of Conduct Policy and adhere to it during the entire season. 

iii) Make sure your player is aware of the code of conduct policy.

 

VII.   Coaching and Player Development

a)  Weekly Field Time

i)    Weekly field time should include one weekday practice and one game on Saturday

       Fields that are used in this division are Garrison and Morningside Park

 

b)  Player Development Expectations

By the end of the Tee Ball season players should be aware of the following basic components of the

game:

i)  Field set-up and base running concepts

(1) The different bases and the flow of base running.

(2) Fielding Positions

ii)  Basic fielding concepts

(1)   Playing their position vs. chasing the ball in packs.

(2)   Introduction of the concept of outs

iii) Basic hitting concepts and hitting safety

(1) Stance and swing;

(2) Proper holding of the bat;

(3) Players should be developing a level swing vs. an upper-cut swing;

(4) Waiting to swing until others are a safe distance away;

(5) No throwing of the bat or any other equipment.

iv) Basic Individual Catching and Throwing Technique

For catching, this should be done from a short distance, and with the use of tennis balls and

Whiffle balls.

(1) Use of two hands.

(2) Catching out in front of the body.

(3) Throwing from a side-ways direction.

(4) Using the front foot and glove to direct the ball.

(5) Throwing with an overhand motion.

(6) Throwing into a bucket/screen, as opposed to a teammate who may not be able to catch yet.

 

 

 

**FINAL NOTE**

The game of baseball is just that, A GAME! Mistakes will be made There will be fielding mistakes; there will

be coaching mistakes; and there will be umpiring mistakes.   But there should not be mistakes in behavior.

 

It is the objective of the Dover Baseball to teach the game of baseball and to implant firmly in the children of the community the ideals of good sportsmanship, honesty, loyalty, courage, and respect for authority, so that they may be well adjusted, stronger, and happier children and will grow to be good, decent, healthy, and trustworthy citizens.

This objective can only be reached with the help of all; players, coaches, parent and spectators alike! Dover Baseball has developed a Code of Conduct Policy that is intended to serve as a means of helping us meet

this objective.

 

The Code of Conduct policy can be found on the association website,  www.dovernhbaseball.org.