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T-Ball Suggestions
Posted on 4/23/14 at 10:14 am
Posted on 4/23/14 at 10:14 am
I'm coaching my son's 3-4 year old Smart Start T-Ball team and was wondering if anyone had any tips on how to set the kids up to take turns chasing after a batted ball. Obviously I want them to play positions, but I also want every child to feel a sense of accomplishment which is why I want each of them to have a chance at getting a ball that has been hit. It's called the Smart Start Program because they don't keep score, etc. each team bats around once, maybe twice and then the game is over. The program lasts 6 weeks. The first 3 is simply teaching fundamentals (throwing, running the bases, and hitting) for an hour. Then the last 3 weeks, you do 20-30 minutes of fundamental practice and then you "play" another team.
ETA: Spare me the "OT" T-Ball is for pussies comments
ETA: Spare me the "OT" T-Ball is for pussies comments
This post was edited on 4/23/14 at 10:15 am
9
Posted on 4/23/14 at 10:16 am to USAF Hart
probably best to just throw them a grounder at that age rather than hitting anything at them
I dunno
I dunno
Posted on 4/23/14 at 10:18 am to LSUSoulja08
No, I won't be hitting at them . Their teammates will be hitting or the other team will be hitting. I did this last year as an assistant coach, and I noticed that kids would cry when they didn't get the ball because the fastest kid would always run to it. Or the ball was always hit to one side.
. Their teammates will be hitting or the other team will be hitting. I did this last year as an assistant coach, and I noticed that kids would cry when they didn't get the ball because the fastest kid would always run to it. Or the ball was always hit to one side. Posted on 4/23/14 at 10:19 am to USAF Hart
oohhhhh okay I see what you are saying now
that is tough. I'm not sure how you can do that. I mean that's just baseball, ya know. no clue if you'll have every ball hit at you or none
that is tough. I'm not sure how you can do that. I mean that's just baseball, ya know. no clue if you'll have every ball hit at you or none
Posted on 4/23/14 at 10:23 am to USAF Hart
though I will admit I was laughing out loud at the thought of your kids out in the field, you at the plate, tossing a ball up and yelling "heads up!" and blasting a screamer at each of them
Posted on 4/23/14 at 10:25 am to LSUSoulja08
No, no. I don't want to face any type of lawsuit due to injury. I do pitch/hit to my son already, but I wouldn't hit at any of the other kids.
Posted on 4/23/14 at 10:28 am to USAF Hart
It's ridiculous to have kids in 3-4 y/o T-Ball.
I plan to have my kids in ball when they're old enough. My girl will be 4 in a few weeks. She's not even remotely ready to be in T-Ball. Can't believe there are leagues for them that young.
I started when I was 5-6.
I plan to have my kids in ball when they're old enough. My girl will be 4 in a few weeks. She's not even remotely ready to be in T-Ball. Can't believe there are leagues for them that young.
I started when I was 5-6.
Posted on 4/23/14 at 10:37 am to Prominentwon
He's a better man than me. This has to be a nightmare. My son's 4 and I'm just gonna practice with him when he wants till he's 6.
Posted on 4/23/14 at 10:38 am to Prominentwon
quote:
It's ridiculous to have kids in 3-4 y/o T-Ball.
There's the OT. Welcome sir.
As far as the age requirement, it's really not that far fetched. They have soccer, T-Ball, and even Basketball for 3 and 4 year olds. I don't see how it's ridiculous to have them playing a sport at this age. It's not like I beat my kid until he says he wants to play T-Ball. He's been going to Braves games since he was born and has probably seen 10 games already in his short life. He loves the game, and any chance he gets to play it, he does.
subtle brag here - I can pitch to him as if it were coach pitch, and he's switch hitting already.
Posted on 4/23/14 at 10:39 am to USAF Hart
Have you ever herded cats? That's what you're getting into. I did it the last 2 years now I've moved up to pitching machine. My best advise is not to expect a whole lot and try not to get too worked up when they do the complete opposite of what you want them to do.
Posted on 4/23/14 at 10:49 am to LSUballs
Oh I am very mild tempered. Teaching kids baseball is fun to me. I had a blast last year which is why I wanted to do it this year as a head coach. I just want the kids to have fun. For instance, i've asked the parents to save a milk jug or other type of juice container and fill it with rocks or some type of noise makers. Instead of the kids throwing to one another and hitting each other in the face, I am going to have them throwing at their containers. This will help them work on their throwing aim.
Posted on 4/23/14 at 10:54 am to USAF Hart
Don't play 3-4 ball would be my suggestion.
Posted on 4/23/14 at 11:01 am to USAF Hart
Posted on 4/23/14 at 11:20 am to USAF Hart
I'm currently coaching 5-6 y.o. T-ball team. I have been coaching T-ball for 3 yrs. now. Our league switched this year to 5-6 y.o.'s playing competitive T-ball where we keep score, outs, etc. The 4 y.o.'s are playing "Wee-ball" where there are no outs, everyone bats & scores etc.
Few tips that I've learned over the years:
1.) Start with base running. Home to 1st, 1st to 2nd and so on. Most kids do not know which base is which when they start. Goal is to have every one of them know where they are running next by the end of the season.
2.) Throwing mechanics. Teach each kid which foot to step forward with, throw overhand and follow-thru with opposite foot. Goal is for each kid to step and throw correctly by the end of the season.
3.) Batting. Teach each kid correct set-up at the plate with feet evenly spaced under shoulders, proper bat placement at set-up (choking up in needed), general swing pattern with 2-hand follow thru. Oh, don't forget "DON'T THROW THE BAT".
4.) Catching. Each kid should learn proper glove placement (open web facing forward to start) and try to avoid always having the glove facing upwards. Eventually you can teach them to use 2 hands but this is a difficult skill to teach them.
We work on all these things at every practice and game with tons of hands-on teaching. Be ready to have no voice at the end of games and practice because 4-6 y.o. attention span is less than 0. We rotate players through the field so that everyone has a chance to play pitcher and 1st base (the most active positions). Teach the kids that they need to field the ball that is hit to them, not every ball hit on the field. We had to stress to them that we do not wrestle each other for the ball and that everyone will have their turn to field and throw the ball.
Overall, you have to remember that it has to be fun for them to continue to listen to you. Get as much help in the dugout from parents for kid control as having 10-12 chirren running around is just chaos. Good job for participating in your child's and all the player's lives as a coach! It's not something that every parent can do without losing their minds.
Few tips that I've learned over the years:
1.) Start with base running. Home to 1st, 1st to 2nd and so on. Most kids do not know which base is which when they start. Goal is to have every one of them know where they are running next by the end of the season.
2.) Throwing mechanics. Teach each kid which foot to step forward with, throw overhand and follow-thru with opposite foot. Goal is for each kid to step and throw correctly by the end of the season.
3.) Batting. Teach each kid correct set-up at the plate with feet evenly spaced under shoulders, proper bat placement at set-up (choking up in needed), general swing pattern with 2-hand follow thru. Oh, don't forget "DON'T THROW THE BAT".
4.) Catching. Each kid should learn proper glove placement (open web facing forward to start) and try to avoid always having the glove facing upwards. Eventually you can teach them to use 2 hands but this is a difficult skill to teach them.
We work on all these things at every practice and game with tons of hands-on teaching. Be ready to have no voice at the end of games and practice because 4-6 y.o. attention span is less than 0. We rotate players through the field so that everyone has a chance to play pitcher and 1st base (the most active positions). Teach the kids that they need to field the ball that is hit to them, not every ball hit on the field. We had to stress to them that we do not wrestle each other for the ball and that everyone will have their turn to field and throw the ball.
Overall, you have to remember that it has to be fun for them to continue to listen to you. Get as much help in the dugout from parents for kid control as having 10-12 chirren running around is just chaos. Good job for participating in your child's and all the player's lives as a coach! It's not something that every parent can do without losing their minds.
Posted on 4/23/14 at 11:23 am to USAF Hart
quote:
There's the OT. Welcome sir.
I don't mean to sound condescending like the OT does. That's their MO. I'm just saying that, IMO, that these kids are no where NEAR ready to be playing organized sports yet.
Posted on 4/23/14 at 11:25 am to barry
quote:
He's a better man than me. This has to be a nightmare. My son's 4 and I'm just gonna practice with him when he wants till he's 6.
Absolutely. My duaghter will be 4 next month. I'm not really sure she's going to be interested in playing ball. She's VERY much a girl.
My son just turned 2 last November. Still a ways to go for him.
Posted on 4/23/14 at 11:27 am to USAF Hart
Have them line up single file. The front one in line takes 3 steps forward, you throw them a grounder, they throw it back to you.
Posted on 4/23/14 at 11:28 am to Prominentwon
It's all good. Just some friendly ribbing. They aren't old enough to play organized sports, but the program they are enrolled in at 3/4 is called Smart Start. It's basically teaching them the fundamentals of throwing, hitting, catching, and fielding. No score is kept, and every child hits before the teams switch sides. YOu might get through an entire lineup once before the kids lose interest and then you hand out snacks and the kids go home happy.
Posted on 4/23/14 at 11:35 am to USAF Hart
While I respect your effort, wee tee is the most useless activity ever devised. I did it once, never again. Regular 5-6 tee ball may be hatcheted too. Is it too late to pull a hamstring and not do it?
Posted on 4/23/14 at 11:37 am to tigerfoot
quote:
Is it too late to pull a hamstring and not do it?
No it's not, but I am not going to be childish about it. I thoroughly enjoy interacting with kids at this age, especially when it comes to baseball (my favorite sport).
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