T-ball is a sport for children between the ages of four and six, though sometimes children as old as eight will be allowed to play. Generally, the first team sport a kid plays is T-ball. A team sport, the main purpose of T-ball is for the children to have fun. In this spirit, coaches do not keep score. Another objective is for the kids to learn some of the fundamentals of baseball such as how to grip a ball, how to throw a ball accurately, how to field a pop-up and a ground ball, how to catch a ball with two hands, how to swing a bat and hit a ball, and how to run the bases. Players will learn to throw and catch the ball together. Players will also learn the general idea of the game. The difference between fielding and hitting are important principles that the players will learn.
Players will learn what each position is and they will learn what it means to be responsible for a specific position. They will learn what it means to field a ball. They will learn what it means to record an out and the specific ways to record an out such as catching a ball in the air, tagging a runner, or getting a force out The concept of teamwork will be emphasized as players will learn to communicate on the field by calling for fly balls or calling which base a fellow defender should throw the ball to. Since it's played with a soft baseball, safety is always at the forefront of the game. The biggest difference between regular baseball and t-ball is that there is no pitching. Instead, players hit the ball off of a stationary tee. The stationary tee allows for even the most athletically challenged kids to successfully play the game. There are no strikeouts allowed. Athletic fitness should also be developed as a product of t-ball.
Coaches usually stand on the field during the game to give guidance to the players as they play the game. Players will be instructed to play their own position and where to throw the ball when they field it Since young children often have trouble getting batters out, the general rule is that each team will bat around the order each inning unless all three outs are made before they get a chance to do so. In some leagues, outs are not counted and the team bats around their line-up each inning.
The games are played on little league fields where each base is 70 apart and the pitchers mound is 50 feet away from home plate. In the interest of inclusion, every player on each team will bat and play defense. Players will stay on base even if they are called out Even though there is no pitching, there will be one player on each team designated to play on the pitchers mound and one to play first base. Games generally last between 60 and 90 minutes. Parents are encourages to be supportive to all players on both teams. As mentioned before, the main purpose of t-ball is for children to have fun.
Players will learn what each position is and they will learn what it means to be responsible for a specific position. They will learn what it means to field a ball. They will learn what it means to record an out and the specific ways to record an out such as catching a ball in the air, tagging a runner, or getting a force out The concept of teamwork will be emphasized as players will learn to communicate on the field by calling for fly balls or calling which base a fellow defender should throw the ball to. Since it's played with a soft baseball, safety is always at the forefront of the game. The biggest difference between regular baseball and t-ball is that there is no pitching. Instead, players hit the ball off of a stationary tee. The stationary tee allows for even the most athletically challenged kids to successfully play the game. There are no strikeouts allowed. Athletic fitness should also be developed as a product of t-ball.
Coaches usually stand on the field during the game to give guidance to the players as they play the game. Players will be instructed to play their own position and where to throw the ball when they field it Since young children often have trouble getting batters out, the general rule is that each team will bat around the order each inning unless all three outs are made before they get a chance to do so. In some leagues, outs are not counted and the team bats around their line-up each inning.
The games are played on little league fields where each base is 70 apart and the pitchers mound is 50 feet away from home plate. In the interest of inclusion, every player on each team will bat and play defense. Players will stay on base even if they are called out Even though there is no pitching, there will be one player on each team designated to play on the pitchers mound and one to play first base. Games generally last between 60 and 90 minutes. Parents are encourages to be supportive to all players on both teams. As mentioned before, the main purpose of t-ball is for children to have fun.