T-ball is an interesting game. Ok, let's face it. As long as Mo isn't in the room, it's just about the funniest game you can imagine. It's the beginning of a softball/baseball career for little kids.
It's kind of like a Long Island Ice Tea, or Velociman's Magic Punch. It feels good going down but then you find yourself riddled with uncotrollable laughing fits, whilst feeling somewhat dazed and confused. Yes, it's contagious, and no, there's no known cure.
Have you ever noticed that most of the uniforms don't fit these little tykes? Whether it's the shirts that go below the knees, the shorts that fall just above the ankles, or the helmets that block their vision. No matter, that's what makes it all the more precious in my point of view.
I like this game. It suits the age. At each inning (normally there are just two), each child gets to bat. They have four "human" pitches by a brave coach. Let me tell you this folks. I still believe it would be wise for the coaches (if male) to wear cups. But that's my opinion only. There are times when I have seen perfectly mature, grown men, rolling around on the ground crying when a child makes a serious connection to the ball with their bat...and it heads straight back towards the pitcher. Gives a new meaning to the words "blue balls" I tell you.
As I was saying, each child gets four pitches by the coach. If they haven't hit one by then, they bring out the "t". And they keep encouraging the child until the ball is hit. Sometimes, that's a bit more difficult than you would imagine. I have seen a coach kind of throw the ball out on to the field after the 42nd miss on the "t". But that's ok. All the parents are screaming (and from both teams) "Go Johnny, RUN! That's it slugger!" So you see, there are no losers here.
If by chance, your child hits the ball, one way or the other, the coaches begin yelling to get them kick started because most of them lose their brain and forget that they are supposed to run to first base after a hit. What is the most fun is when you hear everyone on the field (the adults) and everyone in the stands yelling "NO!!! THE OTHER WAY!!! RUN THE OTHER WAY!!!" I have found that we end up watching a child get a home run. In reverse.
So, we've made it to first base. When the ball is back in the hands of the pitcher (the child, not the one who pitches the ball), or the coach, or they have been tagged out, they stop running. The nice thing about it is, the kids don't get out. They are hi-fived for a good job, and are set and ready to move on to the next base. In many instances, kids make home runs. Mostly because no one can catch. Or, there are about seven kids fighting over the ball and the runner has made it to home before everything has been sorted out.
I know that there aren't alot of rules in this game. The one main rule is to have fun. But I still think that t-ball is a good foundation to teach your children alot of things. First off, it teaches them the basics of the game. It instills in them a sense of teamwork, good sportsmanship, and commitment. And that's only for starters.
This will be the last year that Mo will be playing t-ball. I, for one, will miss it.
Comments
T-ball was a hoot. When my son played they had to stop the games whenever a plane went overhead or a train went by. They both played "herd soccer" as well--soccer for the itty bitty crowd, where they all just chase the ball and then stop to look at ants or beetles. Now that we've moved on to shady science and semi-competitive soccer I miss those days. Enjoy them, you'll never laugh so hard again.
Posted by: TW at April 26, 2005 11:35 PM
It's great to find a sport for kids that is just plain fun, and takes away the good player/bad player mentality.
Posted by: Jay at April 27, 2005 04:54 AM
Now THAT'S the kind of sport I think I might have a fighting chance of participating in! What? What age limit?...
Posted by: Mellie Helen at April 27, 2005 11:32 AM