Re: TBall - info on bat choices, etc.

[Guest guest]

Hey guys -

If it makes you feel any better, kids at any age often have trouble

in t-ball. My husband I have coached t-ball, and now coach baseball

and softball for both our kids. At t-ball age, you might get lucky

and have 3-4 kids that can concentrate. Most pick daisies, dig in

the dirt, etc. It is important that when the team is in the field,

that you have 2 coaches out in the outfield with them -- talking to

them helps keep them interested. The coaches can call out every

play, how many outs, where is the play, etc.

This latter info is actually appropriate for kids up to about age 8

or 9. Even in 2nd and 3rd grade, the kids, espec in the outfield,

are easily bored and distracted.

For our smaller kids, the size of the bat is critical. Height is an

easier one, but weight is VERY important for the smaller and

possibly weaker child. Any batter should be able to hold the end of

the bat, extend the bat straight out (with a straight arm) and hold

the extended bat parallel to the floor, for about 10 seconds WITHOUT

their arm shaking, falling, etc. If they can not hold the bat and

arm extended for 10 seconds, the bat is too heavy.

Usually bats are about " 10 " differences -- meaning a bat could be 27

inces and 17 ounces. A t-ball bat is much smaller than that.

If your child needs a very light bat, then go on-line, do web

searches. Most sporting good stores like Sport-Mart will not

necessarily carry the unique bats.

The weight of the bat is critical.

Also, the glove. You want a DEEP-pocket glove. Often called " EZ-

catch " for the younger ones.

Practice catching with them in the house, with a rolled up sock.

Roll up the sock and you can even tape it. Then toss it in the air

for the child to catch. Have the child toss it in the air and catch

himself. You can also roll wiffle balls on your living room floor.

I speak from experience because as a stay at home mom in a southern

calif beach city (which means tiny backyards), I had to figure out

ways to practice with the kids every day without driving to a park

or playing in the street....

Hope this info helps someone.

> We had our first game two weeks ago. got tired, walked off

> the field and sat in someone's chair.

>

> was busy digging in the dirt!!

>

> had a lot of trouble swinging the bat. I spoke to his PT

> before we signed him up, and she assured me that he would be able

to

> do it. Well, I spoke with her last week to find out what was

going

> on, and discovered yes, he can extend his arms and swing the bat

> properly - except she was using a wiffle ball bat. Well, duh!

>

> Oh well, mommy now owns a tball bat, tee, etc etc so the three of

us

> can go practice. I can't wait for Steve's schedule (he works in

> college sports) to ease up so he can help. After all, even though

> all 4 of us are lefties, I throw righty and am having a bit of a

> problem helping the kids.

>

> They sure are cute when they play though.

>

> Judith, Steve, (RSS) and (non RSS) 5 year old twins

[Guest guest]

Oops - mistake in writing " kids at any 'age' often have trouble in T-

ball " -- I meant all kids, regardless of RSS, general population,

etc. -- all kids pick daisies and dig in the dirt....

> > We had our first game two weeks ago. got tired, walked

off

> > the field and sat in someone's chair.

> >

> > was busy digging in the dirt!!

> >

> > had a lot of trouble swinging the bat. I spoke to his PT

> > before we signed him up, and she assured me that he would be

able

> to

> > do it. Well, I spoke with her last week to find out what was

> going

> > on, and discovered yes, he can extend his arms and swing the bat

> > properly - except she was using a wiffle ball bat. Well, duh!

> >

> > Oh well, mommy now owns a tball bat, tee, etc etc so the three

of

> us

> > can go practice. I can't wait for Steve's schedule (he works in

> > college sports) to ease up so he can help. After all, even

though

> > all 4 of us are lefties, I throw righty and am having a bit of a

> > problem helping the kids.

> >

> > They sure are cute when they play though.

> >

> > Judith, Steve, (RSS) and (non RSS) 5 year old twins