How to Coach Pee Wee T-Ball

T-Ball is a game devised to teach kids the principles of baseball before they are coordinated enough to hit, catch or run. The players are 4 to 8 years old. Baseball is a near impossible game to understand. You almost have to learn it by doing, it's too confusing otherwise. T-Ball allows the coach to throw pitches to the players on his/her own team. If the child can't hit any of the three, then a tee is brought in which gives the kid a great chance to hit the ball on three attempts. If unsuccessful on those six attempts, the player is out, but most kids can figure out how to do it off the tee. Here are some coaching guidelines.

Instructions

1. Get your kids somewhat familiar with the basic rules of the game. Have the ones who played last year help the new players. They need to know the base set up. Which direction is first, second and third, and what is home plate. What constitutes an out? Catching the ball on a fly is good, but what do you do with a ground ball?

2. Teach fundamentals. Many of your kids will not have the slightest idea how to throw a ball, let alone how to catch it. The concept of a glove on your left hand (if you are a righty) takes getting used to. They will want to put it on their right hand and then take it off to throw it. They’ve rarely had to use their left hand for anything. Even your older players--the ones who have “mastered” catching and throwing--often will still have an errant instinct to turn the mitt across the body to make a catch. Get them throwing the right way even if they can't throw more than 10 feet. Make sure the foot opposite the throwing arm is coming forward as they throw and that their elbow and wrist are not bent on the throwing motion. Then get them to use their mitts to try and catch the ball. Show moms and dads who may never have done it themselves how to play catch with their kids and get them practicing good habits.

3. Begin them in certain positions. Let them learn how to play second base. Keep them there during practices and into the early games. Teach them where to stand, where they throw a ground ball when they get it, when they can run to second to beat another runner there, how to cover first if the first basemen has to run to pick up a ball. Let them get used to one position. It is important to set them up with the best chance to succeed. Putting them in a position in which they are sure to fail and fail often (like pitcher) is not going to leave them with a very good feeling.

4. Let your better athletes play the positions of pitcher and first base. These are the positions that get the most action, especially early in the season before the opposing players are getting the hang of hitting. Almost everything is hit to the pitcher and, unless she can run to first base herself, she is going to have throw to someone who can catch. Most of the kids will see their heroes playing pitcher and lobby you for them to play there, but do it cautiously. Late in games, especially if you are winning or losing, you can try out the eager but not yet accomplished players in difficult positions. Acknowledge great attempts even if not successful.

5. Establish an atmosphere in which your kids are going to have a good time. Divide your practice time into sections--teaching fundamentals, practicing hitting and catching, playing scrimmage games, running the bases. The players love to end a practice by lining up at home and chasing each other around the bases. Remember the most important thing you can wish for from your practices and season is to have all the kids eager to play again. Also make sure that you have arranged snacks after every game--year in, year out, the snacks are the reason that most of the kids come back! During snacks is usually a good time to give out the game ball. Reward players who have tried hard and done something that they have never done before (like getting a hit) with the game ball. By the end of the season you will have given a game ball to every kid and then they get their trophies. How could anything be better?

Tips & Warnings

• Enjoy the crazy chaos of the actual games. Kids who can't throw and catch are hilarious to watch. Guide them gently, with humor.