Blast Ball is a fun way to introduce 3 and 4 year olds to the game of T-Ball. SMYO introduced this program in the spring of 2018 and it always sells out fast. Blast Ball is an introduction to baseball, played with small team sizes, soft "oversized" baseballs, lots of parent involvement, and an emphasis on fun. All parents are expected to contribute in some way on the field during the season. Players receive a shirt and hat and do not need any additional equipment to participate.
*Blast Ball is not a Little League sanctioned program and does not adhere to their rules, regulations, or boundaries.
Blast Ball Rules and Regulations
1. All players must be 3-4 years.
2. Playing field will consist of 1st base loaded with a horn, home plate where batter will hit from a “Tee”, and all defensive players will line up at least 40 feet away from home plate. Any ball hit 10 feet from home plate or past the fair ball marker will be considered a fair ball and the batter shall advance to first base. First base will be set at a distance of 50 feet from home plate.
3. All players must wear team baseball cap and team t-shirt supplied by SMYO. Hat and shirt must be worn during all games.
4. Games shall last no longer than 50 minutes, and at the end of 50 minutes the game will end and all play will cease. If the game is called because of darkness or inclement weather, it will be declared a complete game if twenty-five (25) minutes are completed prior to the stopping of play.
5. No score or win/loss records will be kept.
6. Each Blast Ball team must have (2) coaches/parents on the field of play at all times.
7. Each team will bat its entire roster in each inning one complete time, which will constitute a half inning of play.
8. Each turn at bat the batting order will be reversed. (example: if a player bats last in the 1st inning he/she will bat first in the next inning).
9. When at bat, the object is to hit a fair ball, reach the base and sound the horn before the defensive team fields the ball, holds it above their head and yells “Blast”.
10. Each batter will return to the dugout after running to first base.
11. Each batter will receive a maximum of 6 swings in which to hit a fair ball. A fair ball is any ball between the foul lines and past the 10 foot fair ball arc in front of home plate.
12. When on defense, all players will play a defensive position at a safe distance from home plate. No player shall play catcher.