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.

This post was edited on 3/24/15 at 10:20 am