How to Teach T-Ball

Teaching T-Ball requires a coach to have patience and understanding as the young players first learn how to play the game. For most players, T-Ball is their first introduction to the sport of baseball. Many will not know how to perform even the most basic skills unless their parents have worked with them. By providing some basic baseball instruction and encouraging parents to work with their children at home, T-Ball games will be fun and good for a child's self-esteem.

Things You'll Need

  • T-Ball equipment
  • Baseball field or open area
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Instructions

    • 1

      Teach the players the proper way to swing the bat. Have one player take batting practice while the rest of the team stays out in the field. Let the hitter take a few practice swings and check to make sure the bat is not too heavy. Line the hitter up in the batter's box and place a baseball on the T-Ball stand. Tell the hitter to keep his eye on the ball and to swing the bat. If he makes contact, praise him for the effort and place another ball on the stand. Let the players take turns at bat until they each hit five balls off of the stand.

    • 2

      Work with the players on fielding and how to keep from bunching together in a group during a hit. Many young players tend to cluster together once the batter hits the ball, which results in chaos as the fielders all go for the ball at the same time. Spread the players out in the field at least five feet apart. Take a bat and stand in the batter's box and hit a slow ground ball into the infield. Call out the player's name that you want to field the ball so the rest of the team avoids making contact. Hit balls to each player until everyone cleanly fields at least one ball.

    • 3

      Show the players how to throw once they field the ball. Have an assistant coach stand near the pitcher's mound to act as the target for each player's throw. Tell the coach to turn toward each player who fields a ball and to extend the baseball glove toward the player. Hit a ball to a player and once she fields it have the coach call the player's name so she knows who to throw to. Repeat the drill until each player has a chance to throw.

    • 4

      Show each player how to properly run the bases. This includes teaching how to advance on the base paths once a player gets on base. Teach a player simple feet-first sliding and how to protect his face with his arm when the ball is thrown toward the base during a slide.

    • 5

      Encourage the players to cheer for one another during a game. Teaching good sportsmanship is important especially at a young age. Set an example by cheering for each player yourself. Ask the parents to clap for all of the team's players and not just their child. This will show the players that everyone on the team is equal, even if some players are clearly better than others.