La Mirada Baseball Association

Tiny-T Division (ages 3 ½ - 4) is the most basic form of baseball that focuses on fun and instruction rather than competition. Coaches are permitted on the field to teach while the game is in progress. Players have the opportunity to try various positions. The idea is to help very young players learn the basic fundamentals of the game by getting involved. A batting tee is used so that the beginner can learn the proper way to swing the bat. Bases will be approximately 40 feet apart and a normal t-ball diamond is used. Rules are rudimentary and encourage safety, fun, good sportmanship, and fundamentals.

OVERVIEW 
1. Tiny-T is designed to be an enjoyable learning and sharing experience for all players and parents. 
2. Good sportsmanship and safety must be stressed with all players, managers, coaches and parents.
3. Managers and coaches on both teams should assist and encourage all players on both teams. 
4. There are no team, division or league standings. 
5. There are no All-Star or Championship games.
6. The emphasis is on learning fundamentals and having an enjoyable season.
7. Exercise patience with the players. Remember that these players have various levels of understanding, skills and attention spans.  
8. Keep it meaningful and fun

ADMINISTRATIVE 
9. To avoid player and parent burnout, only two (2) practices a week are allowed prior to the start of the season. Once the season has begun only one (1) additional practice per week is allowed. It is mandatory that this be an optional practice. It is recommended that you discontinue practices during the second half of the season. 
10. The manager or coach must not leave a practice or game until all players have been picked up by their parents. 
11. It is the responsibility of the parents to make sure that players have access to a restroom prior to a practice or during a game. 
12. A manager or coach must always have a witness when assisting a child using a restroom 
13. All equipment distributed by LMBA is the property of LMBA. Managers/coaches must return all equipment to the League Rep after the last game of the season to obtain player trophies. 14. Non-returned equipment has a direct bearing on higher registration fees. 
15. Rain-outs - Call the HOT-LINE (562-943-9730) for the status of that days game.
16. Check with your Commissioner if games are to be rescheduled. 
17. No player may be changed to another team without prior approval of the Commissioner.

EQUIPMENT 
18. Mark all equipment for the team using masking tape and a dry marker (remove any old tape first). 
19. At the end of the season, be sure to remove tape before returning equipment. 
20. We strongly suggest that parents put their child's last name on their uniform, hat, glove, etc. 
21. Shoes with plastic cleats are recommended. No metal cleats are allowed. 
22. Use a good non-plastic glove and oil it to soften it. 
23. Aluminum and wood bats are used in T-ball. Check wood bats for cracks and have them exchanged if cracks are found. Bats must have a knob on the handle of the same material as the rest of the bat. Use only a 26 or 27 bat. The number on the bottom of the handle tells the length.

SPORTSMANSHIP 
24. Team banners are encouraged and a team yell at the end of the game for the opposing team shows good sportsmanship. 
25. Players should be instructed to not make fun of or insult other teams’ or individuals’ play. 
26. No chanting or the defensive yelling swing in an attempt to disrupt the batter is allowed.

SAFETY 
27. A thrown bat is an automatic out even on a missed ball. This must be enforced or the kids will not know that it is unsafe. Make sure parents understand this as well. 
28. To minimize exposure to a thrown bat, make sure that all parents, players and spectators are not sitting in close proximity to the batting area. 
29. It is recommended that another coach or parent supervise the team when the team is at bat. Try to keep the players seated behind (not climbing on) the back stop. 
30. Be sure the on-deck batter is waiting in a safe place. 
31. The catcher must wear a batting helmet with cage while catching. The catcher should stand on the opposite side of home plate from the batter to minimize exposure to a thrown bat. 
32. Sliding is not permitted for safety reasons. Any runner who intentionally slides is out.

GAME ORGANIZATION 
33. Tiny-T is played on a thirty-five (35) foot diamond. 
34. Place a cone two (2) feet behind second base as a reference point. 
35. The ball shall be hit off of a batting tee placed three (3) feet behind and in line with home plate. 
36. Each game is two (2) innings only. 
37. No extra innings are allowed. 
38. Be sure to stop the game in bad weather or when it starts becoming dark. 
39. The maximum number of runs per inning by a team is not relevant. 
40. Each child bats twice per inning. 
41. There are no outs. 
42. Each batter advances one base at a time regardless if they are out or not.
43. The last batter of the inning runs a homerun. 
44. Home team is determined by a coin flip before the start of the game. We suggest you let the players be team captain on a rotating basis during the season and that each game one of the captains call the coin flip. 
45. A team must have seven (4) players to start a game. 
46. Conduct warm-up exercises prior to each game and practice. 
47. Base coaches for the offensive team are the umpires. They must not physically assist the runner in any manner or be on the playing field when the ball is in play.

OFFENSIVE RULES 
48. Batting helmets must be worn by the batter and all base runners. 
49. There are no strikeouts. After the batter has had five (5) swings without hitting the ball into fair territory, a coach should assist the batter in hitting the ball gently off the tee. 
50. Balls knocked off the tee due to the bat hitting only the tubing are to be placed on the tee again for another try.
51. If a batter takes a full normal swing and hits the ball into fair territory, the ball must travel at least ten (10) feet.  A batted ball that hits the plate and rolls at least ten (10) feet into fair territory is a fair ball.  
52. No bunting is allowed. 
53. No stealing is allowed. 
54. Base runners are not permitted to lead-off the base and shall remain in contact with the base until the ball is hit.