How to Fix T-Ball

I have coached t-ball four straight years. One thing I constantly think about is how to make t-ball better. For the kids AND the coaches. It can be extremely fun, but also stressful at times. 

To start, I would reduce the size of teams. The best games we would have was when there were around 6 kids. I think the last two years we had 9 on our team, and I remember at least one year having 10. That is way too many! 

So six kids per team, which means you will have more teams. The problem is that not enough people volunteer to be head coaches. I think if you have fewer kids on teams, then those horror stories of how terrible it can be will decrease.

This past year, one of the other coaches did something that I really liked. In the field, he had the kids line up at three positions (SS, 2B, 1B). They alternated after each batter. The coach would call out which kid was to go after the ball. It kept things more orderly, and they were able to rotate positions each inning. So every kid got to field and receive a ball at first. If you only have six kids, that would be two kids in each spot. 

Another thing I would change would be making outs. Currently, we do not have outs. If a kid manages to make an out at first, or catch a pop-up, we just let the runner stay on first base. I think we should enforce those outs. Just of the batter. If the defense manages to throw them out at first base (it would be rare) or catch a flyball, we should have the runner be out. This would teach the kids about outs, and the defense would learn why we are trying to get the ball to first. It is tough explaining to the kids at the next level that they are out. 

I also believe that we should consult with some preschool teachers about what is the most effective way to teach four and five-year-olds. I love hearing dads yelling at kids about keeping their weight back, drive through the ball, keep the elbow up…but I usually consider it a success if the kids learn which side of the plate to stand. 

I would also implement these ideas across the league and have all coaches do it this way (with room for suggestions on what works or does not work). Maybe have an orientation before the season starts and explain what the goal is, and how we will achieve it. I always find it funny that the only thing we are told as coaches is how difficult it is to control the kids (“like herding cats” is usually the line people say), and the basics like “every kid hits, no outs, three innings, balls and tee are in the shed.” I bet if there is a more structured system, it would be easier to convince more parents to coach. 

So those are my suggestions for how to make the tee ball experience better.