We ran a T-Ball program for over 40 years with Senior T-Ball, as it evolved over time, always an integral component. As of 2024, the Ball Program is being run by the SPCA.
Our Senior T-Ball League was geared to those aged 6 to 8 (inclusive as of the start of the year of play). Players (6 turning 7 during the year of play) had the option of playing in our Junior T-Ball league if that option suited them better. Similarly, those of the oldest age could register for play in our Junior 3-Pitch league. These decisions were dependent on each player's interest, skill, playing ability, maturity and/or other factors. Note that Senior T-Ball players could play as fill-ins on any of our Junior 3-Pitch teams not able to field 10 players for one of its games. Senior T-Ball players were not allowed to move down a level and play in our Junior T-Ball league.
All of our T-Ball leagues used the 9" soft-core ball. We played all of our T-Ball games, Junior and Senior, with a safety bag at first base and appropriate rules.
SENIOR play is more competitive than Junior T-Ball, i.e. score is kept (at least for the latter part of the season), and there are umpires. Since there may be as many as 14 players on a team and there are 11 fielding & batting positions utilized each inning, there is often some "sitting" out on a rotating basis. Note that we mandated rotation of players through all defensive positions so every player had the opportunity to play at each position.
The defensive team: Fielding positions were assigned by matching a list of players, such as the batting order, with a list of all possible fielding positions with the outfield & Infield positions alternating. (i.e. For a team of 13: Catcher, CF, 2nd Base, RC, SIT, 1st Base, RF, Pitcher, LC, Short-stop, SIT, LF, 3rd Base). All teams were required to use the official list provided by the league and keep it posted on the backstop during games for everyone to see.
Defensive players, when playing infield positions, were required to wear facial protection. (Each team was supplied with the necessary safety equipment.) By 2024, when operation of our entire Ball Program was taken over by the Stanley Park Community Association, we were supplying fielder masks for all of our Junior T-Ball, Senior T-Ball, Junior 3-Pitch and Senior 3-Pitch teams and use thereof was mandatory for all infielders.
Senior T-Ball play ended each season with playoff games leading to a league champion. For many years the Championship and Consolation games were played on "Hot-Dog Day", i.e. the wrap-up celebration for por entire Ball Program.
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