Indoor T-Ball - Coach's Corner
Tips and Tricks:
Home team is in field first, Away team bats first. Play as many innings as you can during your time allotted.
Starting the game - we encourage the coach and all players to gather in a circle, hands together in the middle, and cheer - Go Team Name!
Batting
Each coach is provided with a roster sheet which is completed on the day of the game after the players have been divided into teams.
First batter hits the ball off the Tee and runs to first base. Only one base at a time.
Second batter hits the ball off the Tee and runs to first base. The player on first base runs to second base.
Third batter hits the ball off the Tee and runs to first base. The player on second base runs to third base and the player on first base runs to second base.
This continues until the last batter.
Last batter hits an automatic home run. The coach should announce - LAST BATTER - so that everyone knows. The batter hits the ball and runs all the bases - thus getting the home run.
This ends this half of the inning.
Players and the coach (and parents) return to the bench and get everything ready for fielding.
Fielding
Each coach is provided with a binder with blank sheets which contains the field placement. This is completed each night after the teams have been decided.
In order to 'play fair' and to ensure all players have a turn fielding the ball, the following method seems to work:
This continues - with the coach pointing to the fielders, one at a time, who pick up the ball and throw it to first base. This way, every player has an opportunity to field the ball at least once, during the inning. It also prevents 'swarming' which is - when the ball his hit, the tendency is for all players to run to field the ball. Fingers can be stepped on, heads butt - and there are tears. This prevents all of that. Please encourage your player to only 'make the play' if the coach indicates it is his/her turn.
The player on first base and the catcher are engaged in every play. This gives these two players an opportunity to hone their catching and throwing skills.
The positions rotate throughout the season, from inning to inning, so every player has an opportunity to play each position.
Players and the coach (and parents) return to the bench, get ready for batting.
Starting the game - we encourage the coach and all players to gather in a circle, hands together in the middle, and cheer - Go Team Name!
Batting
Each coach is provided with a roster sheet which is completed on the day of the game after the players have been divided into teams.
First batter hits the ball off the Tee and runs to first base. Only one base at a time.
Second batter hits the ball off the Tee and runs to first base. The player on first base runs to second base.
Third batter hits the ball off the Tee and runs to first base. The player on second base runs to third base and the player on first base runs to second base.
This continues until the last batter.
Last batter hits an automatic home run. The coach should announce - LAST BATTER - so that everyone knows. The batter hits the ball and runs all the bases - thus getting the home run.
This ends this half of the inning.
Players and the coach (and parents) return to the bench and get everything ready for fielding.
Fielding
Each coach is provided with a binder with blank sheets which contains the field placement. This is completed each night after the teams have been decided.
In order to 'play fair' and to ensure all players have a turn fielding the ball, the following method seems to work:
- When the ball is hit off the Tee, the coach will point to the player on second base to field the ball. The player on second base picks up the ball and throws the ball to the player on first base. The player on first base throws the ball to the catcher who places the ball on the Tee, ready for the next batter.
- When the next batter this the ball off the Tee, the coach will point to the player at short stop to field the ball. The player at short stop picks up the ball and throws the ball to the player on first base. The player on first base throws the ball to the catcher who places the ball on the Tee ready for the net batter.
This continues - with the coach pointing to the fielders, one at a time, who pick up the ball and throw it to first base. This way, every player has an opportunity to field the ball at least once, during the inning. It also prevents 'swarming' which is - when the ball his hit, the tendency is for all players to run to field the ball. Fingers can be stepped on, heads butt - and there are tears. This prevents all of that. Please encourage your player to only 'make the play' if the coach indicates it is his/her turn.
The player on first base and the catcher are engaged in every play. This gives these two players an opportunity to hone their catching and throwing skills.
The positions rotate throughout the season, from inning to inning, so every player has an opportunity to play each position.
Players and the coach (and parents) return to the bench, get ready for batting.