Cooperative T-Ball Rules

The object is to get as many points as possible in a set time limit. The clock never stops during the game. A regular diamond is the best playing field, but any open space that is big enough will work just as well.

Any reasonable number of athletes can make up a team. The fewer people you have, the smaller the angle should be between the side (foul) lines. [Editor’s note: what angle works well for your team?]

All team members take positions in the field except for one batter and one person "on deck", who will bat next. Each batter swings until s/he gets a hit or the team decides to rotate her into the field, but the batter should get at least three swings.

When the batter gets a good (not foul) hit, s/he runs straight down either side (foul) line. Five small cones are placed every 10 yards along both foul lines. Allowing either foul line to be run makes it fair for south paws. A point is scored for each cone the batter reaches before the ball stops moving.

When the ball stops moving, the team members in the field must get the ball back to the T (and the next batter) as fast as possible. Six cones are placed on the field: one on second base, one between first and second base, one between second and third base, and one in the center, left and right out fields. For each cone the batter reached on that play, a player must tag a cone in the field with the ball.

The batter for the current play is not allowed to help throw the ball back to the pitcher. Once the play is over, the batter takes a position in the field and a new person that is in the field rotates onto “deck”.

David would really like to hear how these rules work for you. If you give them a try please e-mail him.

David would like to thank Jan Passion for turning him on to Camp Common Ground where he first experimented with Cooperative Sports.

Cooperative Sports
Lebanon, NH, USA
(603) 298-9882
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