Tee Ball An Introduction To Baseball For Younger Children
73
What is Tee Ball or T-Ball?
Tee Ball is a game that basically introduces boys and girls that are between the ages of 4 – 8 to baseball and softball. There are two teams each consisting of 12 – 20 players. On the field there are 3 bases and a home plate. Players on the field are the same as in baseball, except there isn't a pitcher. The ball is placed on a tee at home plate. Every team member that is up at bats gets a turn to hit the ball off the tee. After all team member have had a turn up at bats the teams switch places. There are usually four innings but some leagues go to six. There are no strikes or walks. The game is played on a smaller field size than baseball, with 50 feet between the bases, making it easier for the children to run around the bases.
Benefits of Playing On A Tee Ball League
- Wonderful exercise for children.
- Beneficial for coordination.
- This is a great introduction for children to learn what it is like to play on a team.
- Children will learn the basic skills needed for baseball such as batting and catching the ball.
- Players learn all about running the bases.
- Children learn to play safely.
Tee Ball Rules
- All players must wear a safety helmet while batting and athletic shoes.
- Players must stay on base until the ball has been hit and is in play. This eliminates stealing bases.
- Each player on the field must have a glove.
- Bats should never been thrown.
- Players are not allowed to run into each other.
- Rules may vary depending on what country you live in or what league you are playing in.
 | Amazon Price: $15.95 List Price: $19.99 |
 | Amazon Price: $12.50 List Price: $34.44 |
Personal Note
All three of my sons played on a tee ball league and they had a great time while learning about the basics of baseball. Two of them continued on playing on baseball leagues for six years. It's a great way for children to meet and interact with other children in the city where they live. My sons made friends with many of the players and then later on met up with them in school.
If you have recently moved to a new town or city any type of sport is great for your children and a nice way to meet other parents.
You can check online for tee ball leagues in your area or in your local newspaper.
 | Amazon Price: $16.98 List Price: $19.99 |
 | Amazon Price: $26.95 List Price: $40.00 |
Play Tee Ball at Home
Tee ball can be played at any time. You can purchase a tee ball set and play in your own back yard. Before my sons first started tee ball we bought a set to use at home. This way they got to see what it was like before signing up with a league.
 | Amazon Price: $5.99 |
 | Amazon Price: $12.99 List Price: $29.99 |
Have A Tee Ball Theme Party
Do your children like to play tee ball? A fun party idea is to host a tee ball party. You can either hold this in your back yard or at your local park. State on the invitation that each child needs to bring proper footwear and if they have a helmet to please bring it. If you plan on serving food you could make or order a cake designed like a baseball diamond. Serve hot dogs with all the fixings.
- Essential T-Ball and Coach Pitch Equipment for Beginners
After signing your child up for T-Ball or Coach Pitch, you may be wondering what kind of equipment your beginning ball player will need. Here is a helpful list to ensure a successful first ball season for your child.
vote upvote downshareprintflag
- Useful (7)
- Funny (3)
- Awesome (3)
- Beautiful (3)
- Interesting (4)
CommentsLoading...
I can't wait until my son can play this next season! I always enjoyed going to see my younger brothers play, especially when they did amazingly cute things like cartwheels in the outfield and picking flowers.. :D For now, we'll just practice with his tee in the yard.
Great hub! Voted up and sharing!
A great hub, but I would add there are many different leagues out there for the youths. Many have different rules based on the parent organization they belong to. Check the different organizations before signing up a child to play. For what it is worth, I think the best organization for the kids is Little League. They are also the only league that has a division for handicap kids to play called Challenger Division.
Great Hub!! Voted Up and more
I always liked the coaches pitch better than T-ball, but good luck to your son!
Susan, getting kids involved in sports makes them agile in numbers and mathematics. I have read Alan Greespan's book "Age of Turbulence". He recounted in that book how he made himself agile in numbers by keeping record of the games and player's statistics. This Tee Ball game will keep the children interested in the game while there are very young. great hub!
That's great! I have a little guy who I hope will be a t-ball star in a year or two. I liked the direction the coaches were giving during the play. I was wondering about that. Also, the constant sliding into every base was great in the video. Great hub!
I remember coaching my son's T-ball team and just hoping the kids would pay attention the entire game because those darn dandelions were so tempting. Now he is getting ready for freshman high school baseball, where does the time go?
Steph, I remember the first year of my twins playing and how excited they were at the end of the season. There was a banquet at the Legion and all the players received trophies. They were so proud. Thanks for reading and glad this brought back good memories for you.
ThePracticalMommy, The back yard tee is a lot of fun for them. My third son was a real chatter and would be constantly talking to the other players while they outfield. Sometimes he would be totally oblivious to a ball in play :)
American View, Thanks for the link. I agree there are many different leagues for youths. Thanks so much for your input, I appreciate it.
michiganman, All three of my sons played Tee-Ball and two of them went on to play baseball. Now that they are grown men they no longer play, but I wish they did as I sure miss going to all the games and practices.
If I had been introduced to softball via t-ball, I may have actually liked it! This sounds like a wonderful starting point. Thanks for sharing the basics! Hehee, now even *I* am tempted to have a t-ball party...
anjperez, Glad you liked the hub. I will have to look for that book. Thanks for reading and for your comments.
parentsview, I am sure your little guy will love tee-ball.
adjkp, The time does fly doesn't it.
Simone, I played softball and I wish they would have had tee ball back then. I was always afraid of the ball :)
I was never coordinated - could not play ball - could not see the ball as it neared so I would always jump away.
I did have all 3 girls play t-ball too - so they might not have those issues. It was hilarious fun too - the kids would be running the bases the wrong way or playing in the dirt - dancing on the field - that is what I used to look for:) haha! Sydney is now a superstar ball player by everyone's standards! It is so exciting when she gets a grand slam or home run! I am sure starting her out young gave her a huge advantage with the hand/eye coordination.
RH, Watching tee ball is fun. The kids all have such a blast. That's great that Sydney is a good ball player. I really wish the twins still played.
I had never know about T Ball. Thanks for writing and share with us. I love the video above. Rated up. Have a good day!
Prasetio
Hi, Susan. My sons, too, loved Tee Ball. What a great suggestion for a grown-up party. A Tee Party. And they won't have to throw anything into the Harbor. :)
this intro hub brought back loads of memories Susan bless you :)
Prasetio, Glad you liked this. It is a fun game for children to play.
drbj, LOL
Frank, After writing this hub I may have to go and watch the little ones this summer at the park playing tee ball. Or wait until I have grandchildren.
That video is so funny. The commentary was hilarious.
Daffy, Glad you liked the video :)
My 3 boys played T-ball also and your article brings back precious memories. Great hub.
Pamela, Glad to hear it brought back memories for you. Thanks so much.
Susan- great stuff here. As a former player and current coach, I support the stress factor here about how important it is to have kids start playing at an early age. Team sportsmanship and having fun are so important and it really gives kids something to enroll in that down the road could lead them to a fun happy healthy lifestyle.
There is nothing like watching 15 4 year olds chase that ball around the field.! Great Hub
KDF, Nice to meet you. It is so much fun for the kids, all the parents, and coaches too. Glad you liked the hub and thank you.
Aw, I love this Susan. I have been to many tee ball games over the years as most of my nieces and nephews played. I have very fond memories including the ones that we were laughing so hard and couldn't find a bathroom quick enough, ha.
Sharon, The little ones are so much fun to watch. Glad this brought back good memories for you.
Oh I think this is wonderful, and something that shouldn't be denied to any healthy child of either sex that does wish to participate in it.
I know I played it, and I totally played hardball (baseball) every year that I had available to me, and I still have and always will have a ton of great memories from it all.
Wesman, I wish they would have had Tee Ball when I younger. Maybe I would have done better at soft ball if they did. But I still had fun playing softball. All three of my sons enjoyed Tee Ball.
stephhicks68 Level 7 Commenter 4 months ago
You just brought back a lot of memories! My oldest son is heading to High School this fall and has played baseball in some form for 10 years now, starting with Tee-Ball. We loved the introduction to the sport. Super hub, Susan! Rated up :) Steph