How to Teach a Child to Hit a Baseball

Teaching a child to hit a baseball is the first step into the world of organized team sports for many children. The key to teaching a child any sport is to keep it fun while showing a child the basics and to build the child's confidence at every stage of learning. These steps help any adult illustrate the baseball basics.

Things You'll Need

  • T-ball set
  • Dodgeball
  • Baseball glove
  • Plastic bat
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Instructions

    • 1

      Begin teaching the fundamentals at age 4 or 5 using a t-ball set to build confidence in hitting the ball. Once the child's confident then introduce hitting a moving ball. Buy a t-ball set at Onlinesports or in any sporting goods store and register him for an age-appropriate t-ball or baseball league.

    • 2

      Use a large ball such as a dodge ball to pitch to the child. Decrease the ball size as the child hits the ball more easily. Pitch slowly to ensure the child hits the ball. Remind her to keep her eyes on the ball.

    • 3

      Teach the child a proper batting stance after he masters making contact with the baseball. Position the child facing home plate with feet parallel and shoulder width apart. Use a baseball glove as home plate if you aren't at a baseball field.

    • 4

      Hold the bottom of the bat with both hands so the knuckles are aligned. The left hand is the bottom hand on a right handed batter.

    • 5

      Stand facing the child as a mirror image to teach the proper form, so if the child is right-handed then demonstrate a left-handed stance. Hold the bat up with the handle near the back shoulder and the bat's barrel above and behind the head. Bend the knees and waist slightly. Swing the bat by fully extending the arms at the same level as the ball, for t-ball this is about belly button level.

    • 6

      Hit the baseball with the fattest part of the bat about two to six inches from the bat's top. Complete the swing by rolling the hands over while in a slightly upward motion. Practice the swing with the child before trying to hit a pitched ball. Use a plastic bat that's not too heavy or long.