Bulletin Board
Subscribe to our Newsletter2019 CLACKAMAS JUNIOR BASEBALL T-BALL RULES
1. The T-Ball league will consist of Kindergarten and 1st grade players.
2. First grade players may assess for the Transitional level at the beginning of the season.
3. Only “softie” type baseballs may be used in games and practice. Hard baseballs SHALL NEVER make it onto the playing field.
4. Field dimensions shall be based on a 40’ mound and 60’ bases.
5. There shall be no keeping of score or league standings kept.
6. Batters and runners must wear helmets at ALL times. There shall not be an on deck batter at this level for the safety of everyone. Only one player may hold a bat at any given time during games.
7. Batting off a tee is optional. Coaches may give up to four pitches prior to bringing the Tee out. Please assign a coach to place the tee to speed up the game.
8. Coaches shall attempt to take a knee or sit on a bucket and pitch in a dart toss type fashion as opposed to an underhand fashion. To speed the game up a coach or parent shall catch balls unless a child in catcher gear is able to sufficiently catch the ball.
9. Batted balls that do not travel a reasonable distance (approximately 10’ and less), may be called foul by the batters coach.
10. The entire team shall take the field. Additional players shall play the outfield. It is fine to have a left pitcher and a right pitcher in the infield. Players should not be sitting on the bench at this level.
11. There shall be no strikeouts, leading off or stealing of bases.
12. Although kids can make outs I would encourage all coaches to leave kids on base. If you intend to play otherwise please arrange with the other coach prior to the start of the game and only make this modification after half of the games have been played. Defensive players should still be recognized for making outs. There are no strikeouts. If a batted ball is hit into the air and caught or a play is made at a given base the defensive player should be recognized but the runner shall be allowed to stay on the field. This shall include tags and force outs that are made by the infield players. Outs will not be kept track of and the entire line-up will still bat. Let the close calls go to the runner.
13. Game length will be drop dead at 75 minutes. No new innings after 1hr. Coaches are encouraged to not begin a new inning that will result in one team not completing their final at bat. Coaches shall notify each other when they believe they are in the top of their last inning. Typically a game will consist of 3 full innings.
14. Entire rosters shall bat. Coaches are encouraged to rotate line-ups so that the same player does not bat first or last in consecutive innings. An easy way to do this is to make the next child in the order a leadoff batter each consecutive inning.
15. All runners on base shall run the bases when the final batter bats and eventually runs through home.
16. Either the Home or Visiting coach may call a game due to inclement weather. This call shall be made by 4pm when at all possible. Make-up games may be arranged with your level coordinator.
17. Coaches and assistants are encouraged to be on the playing field to assist in explaining the game and proper positioning of players. As the year progresses coach involvement should decrease.
18. Players shall rotate positions each inning. If there is a safety concern about a child considerations can be made to not play at first base if they are unable to protect themselves. Players must rotate into the infield every game.
19. Outfielders should not be encouraged to make an out by tagging a runner or stepping on a base.
20. The pitcher must be in line to the left or right of the pitching rubber when the ball is put in play.
21. The ball is live after it is hit into fair territory and shall remain live until it is returned to the infield. The ball shall be considered dead when it reaches the first to second or second to third base line. Once the ball is dead play shall stop. Runners shall generally not attempt to advance more than one base at a time. Runners half way or more when the play is dead may advance if not they shall return to their prior base.
22. Runners may advance only one base on a true overthrow into foul territory. Runners should not advance on dropped balls or missed throws that do not go into foul territory.
23. There are no forfeits in T-Ball. Please borrow each other’s players if you need additional players.
As always these are general rules so that you as coaches can facilitate the game the best you can. When in doubt please do what is best for the players involved. They are only beginning to learn the game so please don’t get bogged down in the details.
CLACKAMAS JR. BASEBALL
2019 TRANSITIONAL RULES – Player/Coach Pitch
1) Field Dimensions shall be 40ft (pitching distance) / 60ft (base distance)
2) All games will be held at Happy Valley Middle School Fields
3) Team listed second on schedule is visiting team. (Third base dugout)
4) Visitors are to bat first.
5) Each inning consists of 3 outs.
6) Games should consist of 5 Innings.
· No new inning should start after 2 hours .
7) Teams must bat the entire team line-up in a batting order.
8) No stealing or leading off.
9) Over throws. Runner is allowed to advance one base on an over throw (ONLY 1 overthrow per play which means the play is effectively dead).
10) No bunting.
11) There will be a five run limit per inning with the final inning open.
12) Pitcher shall not pitch more than 2 innings in a game.
13) One pitch constitutes Inning.
14) Any pitcher that hits three batters in a game should be replaced.
· Coaches are encouraged to remove any pitcher that has hit two batters especially those pitchers who pitch at a higher velocity.
15) The batters coach shall call balls and strikes.
16) After four called balls, the batting players coach shall act as the pitcher.
· The count should continue, third strike batter is out.
17) Coach that becomes the pitcher must throw over hand from pitching rubber.
18) No walks are allowed.
19) Third strike, player is out even if catcher drops the ball.
20) All players shall play at least 6 defense outs.
· A tenth or eleventh player may play in the outfield (never infield) to avoid sitting.
21) All ties go the runner. Any close ties go the runner (keep it fun)
22) All teams shall play a minimum of 10 games.
· The schedule should be set for approx. 12-15 games
23) The season shall end the week school is out for the summer
24) All players must play at least one inning in the infield every game.
CLACKAMAS JR. BASEBALL
2019 TRANSITIONAL RULES – Machine Pitch
- To improve the playing experience for all Transitional level players Clackamas Jr. Baseball utilizes the use of an electronic pitching machine. The schedule will be set to attempt to allow each team to have one game of each format per week. Coaches are encouraged to utilize the pitching machine during their allotted practice times. Player/Coach pitch rules still apply unless stated otherwise below.
- The home team coach will be responsible for setting up and taking down the machine on game days.
- Game rules will be amended as follows and the player pitch rules will apply where not specifically modified below.
- Coaches and players will not pitch during these games.
- The batters coach shall feed the machine and call balls/strikes.
- The coach feeding the machine shall show the ball to the batter prior to feeding the machine.
- Players will never feed the pitching machine under any circumstance as to avoid possible injury. Additionally, coaches shall attempt to keep kids away from the machine at all times.
- The pitcher position will start from a pre-designated safe position on the field that will be to the side and slightly forward of the coach / machine operator. The pitcher position is intended to be as close as is safely practical to the mound.
- If a batted ball comes into contact with the pitching machine it shall result in a dead ball and base hit (single). Runners shall advance appropriately (1 base).
- There are no walks so the batter will hit or strike out. It should be the goal to allow no more than 6 pitches per at bat (not to include truly errant pitches by the machine or foul balls). At bats will not end with a foul ball unless the defensive team catches the ball.
- To encourage hitting, kids who have not extinguished their 6 pitches shall not be struck out by watching a third strike. If they watch the 6th pitch for a strike then this does not apply.
- All Machine pitch practice and games will be held at Happy Valley MS - North Field.
- Practice schedules will attempt to allow 1 practice per team per week to be held on the North Field in order to utilize the pitching machine.
- There will be a pre-determined speed for the machine that coaches will agree upon prior to the game. This speed should be consistent amongst all participating coaches in the league and will be set in the coming weeks. (Recommended Game speed 34MPH)
- In the case of a machine malfunction or weather conditions (rain) all games will immediately switch to the traditional player / coach pitch game format.
All participants will be required to provide their own game pants, belt and socks for the season. Teams will choose and purchase their jerseys once teams are selected.
Teams are encouraged to participate in tournaments on weekends. Teams are responsible for registering and paying tournament entry fees.
All Teams in 3rd - 8th grades will have an additional team fee not to exceed $200 to pay for the above mentioned uniform jerseys and tournaments.
ASSESSMENT INFORMATION
Players who desire to play at the Transitional, Minor, Junior or Senior level need to participate in the assessment process:
- To Assist each player in determining which skill level they should play in,
- To assist the coaches in seeing which skill level their players should compete and
- To expose coaches to players they have never seen before.
Players are assessed by High School Staff, not JBO board members or coaches.
Federal Teams are chosen by the High School staff, while National & American teams are chosen by draft once those level players are decided by high school staff. The High School staff is given a list of numbers that represent each registered player. They are not at any time given a list of player names during the assessment process.
Potential JBO coaches are given a list of player names and numbers in order to help them choose the players they would like to select during the draft process. At no time do these potential coaches assist with the assessment of players.
ARRIVE 15 MINUTES PRIOR TO YOUR ASSESSMENT CHECK IN.
Sunday, February 23rd, Clackamas High School
Midget General........12:00-1:45pm
Junior General.........2:00-3:45pm
Senior General........4:00-5:45pm
TRANSITIONAL ASSESSMENT Sunday TBD
Tryouts will be held at
CLACKAMAS HIGH SCHOOL
Check-In will be in snack shack
PLEASE BRING: Glove, bat, cleats & gym shoes, batting gloves, helmets, etc.
Dress with layers since tryouts may be both inside and outside.
Please dress in baseball attire.
Interested in coaching or assisting???
Coaches Applications available under handouts to the left of the page.
GOT QUESTIONS? EMAIL US AT clackamasjuniorbaseball@gmail.com
Player Development
Player Development
Junior baseball provides the opportunity for any child to play with youth of comparable skill and age levels. This differs from other organizations that have wide ranges of age and skill levels playing together on the same teams, limiting player development and the playing time of some players. Our most skilled players team with like skilled players. Our moderate to lesser skilled levels compete with similar players from other areas.
Playing Field
Our field size is adjusted for each of three age levels. This allows players to play on a field that matches their strength. Less often does a single player dominate a game. At the same time the quality of play is better at the lesser skill levels.
Real Baseball Rules
Players learn skills and tactics consistent with high school rules. Base runners lead off, pitchers throw from the stretch, and at most levels a "dropped third strike" is live. This helps players develop more quickly and gain a more advanced understanding of the game. At the same time, our lesser skill and age levels play with a per inning run limit to keep the score and game in perspective.
Scheduling
Our season is more focused on summer play than other organizations. We generally begin in mid to late April and continue through July. Teams that wish to play more enter tournaments, available at all levels, on weekends.
Recognition
Minors through Seniors, at all skill levels, compete for births in County and State competition against other teams in their skill and age levels.
Clackamas Junior Baseball has won many County and State Championships! The majority of players on the 2008, 2010 and 2017 Clackamas High School 6A Baseball State Championship Teams played youth baseball for Clackamas Junior Baseball!
Clackamas Junior Baseball works closely with Clackamas High School Varsity Coach, 2008 6A High School Baseball Coach of the Year, John Arntson, in developing a baseball program that teaches proper baseball fundamentals for any level of play.
REFUND POLICY
$30 of the registration fee is not refundable
Once teams are picked there are no refunds.
Become A Clackamas Jr. Baseball Sponsor
The youth baseball season is upon us and we are in the process of preparing over 400 participants to play baseball. As a non-profit association we try to keep registration fees to a minimum and we even offer scholarships for those who can’t afford to pay. Our funds go to providing safe and proper equipment, safe ball fields to play on, and uniforms for all the teams. However, it never seems to be enough and we look to local businesses and individuals to help fill the void with tax-deductible donations.
Out of each donation, $25.00 or 10% (the higher amount) goes to the league and the remainder goes to the teams(s) that solicited the donation. For example, out of a $250.00 donation, the league would get $25.00 and the team would get $225.00 to use towards equipment, uniforms or tournaments.
You may print off and complete this form under the handouts section to the left, or simply click the donate now tab below. Be sure to list the head coach of the team you with to support!
Thanks for supporting Clackamas Junior Baseball
Level and Age Group of Play
Level and Age Group
The following are general age groups for Clackamas Junior Baseball. The goal with Junior Baseball is to match the player to the appropriate skill level. The following are general age groups associated with each level.
T-Ball: Kindergarten and 1st Grade
(date of birth must be BEFORE September 1, 2014 to play)-Jerseys Supplied but Grey Baseball Pants are at additional purchase
Transitional: 2nd Grade-Jerseys Supplied but Grey Baseball Pants are at additional purchase
Minor Level: 3rd and 4th Grade Practice jersey is supplied, but baseball pants, jerseys, and tournaments all will incur an extra fee
Junior Level: 5th and 6th Grade practice jersey is supplied, but baseball pants, jerseys, and tournaments all will incur an extra fee
Senior Level: 7th and 8th Grade practice jersey is supplied but baseball pants, jerseys, and tournaments all will incur an extra fee
Within the Midget, Junior and Senior Age Groups, there are three levels of play which are outlined as follows:
Federal – The most advanced players skill wise generally play at this level.
American – Advanced
National – Developing Skills
Contact Clackamas Junior Baseball
Clackamas Junior Baseball is committed to Sportsmanship in 2020. Please let us know how we are doing through the season, and report any problems.
Thank You!
Write to:
Clackamas Jr. Baseball
PO Box 2140
Clackamas, OR 97015
clackamasjuniorbaseball@gmail.com
