re: 4 Year Old TBall Practice

Your kid's behind the curve if he's only playing T ball at 4. Mine had Tommy John surgery by that age

Yeah y'all are all right

I'm definitely not a parent

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That's not organized

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mine is...and I get the same parents coming back year after year and have coached younger siblings of players from years past...I put time in it...and it works out well....half-assing it does lean toward chaos...

I am coaching T ball for the second year in a row and here is what I do

Break them up into 4 groups
1. Work with them throwing
2. Work on fielding
3. Work on catching
4. Work on hitting off T and throwing

Most important part is to get lazy arse parents out there to help and try to keep it fun!!!!

My T ball is a little different in that we keep score, outs, and throw to them 3 times before we break out the T. We have had 4 practices and first game is Saturday. We be Serious

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Its basically like herding cats so if you can do that you'll do fine.

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Most accurate post ever made.

Good on you

The few games or practices I've witnessed gave me a negative view on it

some of the teams we play makes me have a negative view on it so I understand....when my 14 year old started at 4, I got involved....my youngest is 5 and playing right now....I also coach at the 9/10/11/12 age groups for baseball and football...my inspiration: my own kids!...I didn't want them being on one of those half arse coached teams...its something we do as a family and we do it right...and our parents generally love us and we have made very good relationships as a result...plus my kids are damn good athletes as a result too...which then drives their school work to be excellent...its good to start young in my opinion...that why I defend it...

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get a dug out mom

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I've just started coaching my daughter's 6U softball team and we have a couple of 4 yr olds. Four is really a bit young to expect them to learn and retain much from what I've seen in my years of coaching.

First, understand they have not yet developed good hand eye coordination so don't expect them to be able to catch balls thrown or hit at them. Focus instead on showing them how to field grounders. Abut the best you can hope to teach them from a skill standpoint is very low level introductory level throwing and hitting off a tee. along with this you can teach them the basics of base running and introduce them to the roles of each position on defense.

As for practice ideas, you've got to keep them engaged and busy or you'll lose their attention. Break them into groups of four that rotate between stations. One station can be fielding grounders, another work on base running, another on hitting. Have them work one station for 10-15 minutes and then rotate to the next. Then use the last bit of practice putting them in their positions and learning how to play (example: teach the pitcher to make the throw to 1st when the ball is hit to them, etc.). I'd limit practice time to no more than one hour because after that you'll lose them and they will want to play something else.

There are some good on-line video instructional videos on YouTube that you can use as a resource for ides on practices. Remember, at this age you should have only two goals (1) make it fun for the kids and (2) give them good introductory level instruction on the fundamentals of the game. Be patient and remember they are barely past being toddlers. Don't worry about winning & losing (if they even keep score in your league) and just go have fun.

1- no kid steps on the field with a bat in hand. Make Mom or Dad hold it until it's time to use it.

2-set up stations. Catching, fielding/throwing , and tee work.
A- I suggest using a tennis ball when working on catching fly balls. Remember you're working on eye/hand cordination at this age. Do not need any black eyes or busted lips/noses this early.

3- keep kids busy and give ample breaks. Their attention span will be short.

4- encourage parents to work with their kids on their own time. Practices are very limited and the more the parents get involved (outside of practice) the more confidence the kid becomes.

5- bring yourself a cooler that is filled with adult beverages. Your patience will be tested.

Jmo.