Division                        Ages            Players                 Ball              Officials               Tee                Game Length

T-Ball                     3-4              4-10            RIF-1         Coaches       Yes            30 – min

Coach-Pitch      5-12           4-10             RIF-1         Coaches       Yes            40 – min

THE TEAM

T-Ball

• Teams must have a minimum of 4 players on each side to commence play.

• All games will be officiated by volunteer coaches

Coach-Pitch

• Teams must have a minimum of 4 players on each side to commence play.

• All games will be officiated by a trained N Zone Sports instructor/umpire.

General

• League is Co-Ed

• Teams will consist of players assigned* in the following order:

1. Age eligibility

2. Siblings

3. Buddy/Coach Requests

4. Skill Level (will be considered to balance league)

5. Time of Registration (tiebreaker only) 

*When balancing rosters, the program director will consider the # of kids on each team, particularly after the initial rosters are announced. The team with the lowest amount of players will receive the next registered player

PLAYER ATTIRE

• Official N Zone jersey and hat must be worn during instruction & game play*

• Rubber cleats are highly recommended. No metal spikes.

• Athletic baseball pants (gray) are recommended during instruction & game play.

• Protective cups are recommended (but not required).

• No jewelry (except medical bracelets) *

• No casts or any items deemed dangerous* 

Please note that any player not wearing official N Zone jersey or found to be wearing prohibited equipment will not be able to participate in instruction & game play.

T-Ball Rules (N Zone Jr A Program)

GENERAL

1. All children shall play the entire game, in the field and at bat.

2.30 minutes of games time. (No new innings after 25 minutes will be started.) Practice may be held prior to games. Weekday practices are optional and are not mandatory.

 3. Scores will not be recorded nor posted. All players will receive the same award at season end. 

4. All children will line-up and shake hands with opposing team immediately following the game.

5. Weekly Sportsmanship stamps or stickers will be given out to each player after the game.

BATTING

1. Batter and batter on deck must wear a protective helmet with hat underneath.
2. Every team shall bat until the entire line-up has hit each inning. No cuts will be recorded.
3. All batters swing until they hit ball. Once the ball is hit, the batter will run top 1st base and stop.
4. The ball must travel at least 8 feet from the tee in fair territory.
5. The last batter in the line-up will hit a grand slam. Thus, clearing the bases and the teams will switch side.
6. Instruct players to drop the bat after hitting the ball. Keep other players                 a sufficient distance away from home plate.
7. There is no penalty for batting out of tum. 
8. Any player arriving after a game has begun should be inserted in the batting order in the last position.

BASERUNNING

1. The team at bat will continue to advance the runner one base per hit

2. No leading off or stealing the bases. Run only upon a hit.

3. Runners may not advance to the next base on any over-throws.

4. Sliding is not permitted.

DEFENSIVE

1. All defensive players must stand beyond the infield arch-line when a child is at bat.

2. There is no catcher position for T-Ball (or any defensive player behind the batter).

3. All throws should be made toward 1st base.

4. 1st Basemen must wear a helmet with face-guard.

5. All players must rotate field positions each inning.

EQUIPMENT

1. T-Balls with a Reduced Injury Factor (RIF) Level 1 should be used.

2. Only non-composite regulation bats are allowed (24-25). Wooden bats are not allowed.

3. A batting helmet with a baseball hat underneath must be worn by the player at bat, waiting on deck to bat next, all players running the bases and the first baseman.

4. Protective cups are only recommended for coach-pitch divisions.

VOLUNTEERS

1. All volunteer coaches are considered “assistant coaches” and must be certified to coach or help with practice games on the field.

2. All coaches must have their BLUE shirts visible to the instructors.

3. All coaches are allowed on the field as needed to assist.

4. Volunteers may not touch a batted ball in play.

5. No umpires will be used in T-Ball.

Coach-Pitch Rules (N Zone Sports B Program)

GENERAL 

1. All children shall play the entire game, in the field and at bat.

2. ⁠ 40 minutes of game time. (No new innings after 35 minutes will be started.) practice may be held prior to games. Weekday practices are optional and are not mandatory.

3. Scores will be recorded and posted based on OUTS scored. All players will receive an award at the end of the season (trophy or achievement medal) 4. All children will line-up and shake hands with opposing team immediately following the game. 

5. Weekly Value Medals must be provided each week ensuring that every child has received one medal during the season. 

Standings will be kept and posted on the N Zone Sports Website weekly based on points earned.

WIN = 3 POINTS, TIE = 1 POINT, LOSS = 0 POINTS 

In the event that two or more teams have the same amount of Points the following criteria will be used for tie breakers:

1. Most Points - Win = 3 Points, Tie = 1 Point, Loss = 0 Points

2. Head-to-Head - Winner of previous head-to-head match-ups

3. Most Wins - Number of match wins

4. Most Outs Scored For - The team with the most accumulated Outs Scored for their team

BATTING

1. Batter and batter on deck must wear a protective helmet with hat underneath. 

2. Each team will bat through their entire lineup every inning. The end of the inning is marked by all players having batted.

3. Outs will be recorded, but 3 outs do not end the inning. 

4. The coach will throw 3 pitches to his own players. If unsuccessful, a tee is used until that player hits the ball in fair territory

5. The coach will pitch over-hand from one-knee (like throwing a dart to teach a level swing).

6. The ball must travel at least 8 feet from home plate in fair territory.

7. Bunting is not allowed

8. There is no penalty for batting out of turn. 

9. Any player arriving after a game has begun should be inserted in the batting order in the last position.

BASERUNNING 

1. Each batter may continue to advance to bases after the ball is hit until they are out, make it to

home base, or when the ball has been received by the coach inside the pitcher's mound. 

2. The base runner is out when: i. A defensive player in possession of the ball tags the base (force play) or the tags the runner before the runner reaches the base. (Coaches should instruct players to

tag runners below the shoulders). 

            ii. A defensive player catches a fly ball in fair or foul territory before it       touches another object or

            the ground. 

            iii. A base runner slides headfirst at any time (advancing or retreating to        a base) Only feet-first

            slides are allowed.

3. No leading or stealing the bases. Run only upon a hit. 

4. Runners may not advance to the next base after the ball has returned to the pitcher's mound.

5. Runners may not tag up on a caught fly ball.

6. Runners are called safe in the event of a tie.

DEFENSIVE 

1. Defensive positions include: 1st Base, 2nd Base, Shortstop, 3rd Base, Left Field and Right Field (8t player will play Center Field).

2. All fielders must stand beyond the infield arch-line when a child is at bat.

3. There is no infield fly rule.

EQUIPMENT

1. T-Balls with a Reduced Injury Factor (RIF) Level 1 should be used. 

2. Only non-composite regulation bats are allowed (24-29). Wooden bats are not allowed 

3. A batting helmet (with a baseball hat underneath) must be worn by the player at bat, waiting on deck to bat next, and all players running the bases.

4. A batting helmet with a face guard must be worn by the first basemen at all times.

5. Protective cups are recommended.

VOLUNTEERS 

1. All volunteer coaches are considered "coaches and/or "assistant coaches" and must be certified to coach or help with practice and games on the field.

2. All coaches must have their BLUE shirts visible to the instructors.

3. All coaches are allowed on the field as needed to assist.

4. Volunteers may not touch a batted ball in play.

5. Coach-Pitcher (pitch to own team) must use a baseball glove.

N Zone SPORTS WEEKLY SPORTSMANSHIP VALUE medals

Each coach will be given a value medal every week for a different player on their team. These will be used to distribute every week based on the value being taught.

We recommend that you distribute ALL medals by last week of regular season (week 7)! We also recommend that you keep track of which players received ribbons and limit to (1) per player.

WHY?

• It dilutes the meaning of the value being taught
• N Zone Sports will also provide every player with an additional award

commemorating their final day

EXAMPLES:

SPORTSMANSHIP

Sportsmanship means to have a good attitude and respect towards your team, the opponent, and the game. An example of good sportsmanship would be to help up a player from the other team when they get knocked down or to not get upset or have a fit when your team doesn't win. We want to always show our team and our coach that we have a great attitude when playing the game and that we have respect for everyone on the field every day!

LEADERSHIP

Leaders have a "can do" attitude and help motivate teammates to play their best and give it their all. Being a leader doesn't always mean your first in line but it does mean your willing to do whatever it takes to help your team.

TEAMWORK

No single person can win a game by themselves because the ball has to make it all around the field by catching it and throwing it from one teammate to another in order to get outs. When batting, it is important to work as a team to get runs because not everyone can hit a home-run. Runners need to get on base and other people need to hit them in to score runs. We must always give 100% for our team on every play! That's what teamwork is.

EFFORT

This value needs no explanation! The players that work the hardest, approach the game with enthusiasm and stay active and focused during the game will learn faster and become a more effective athlete.