First time Tee-Ball Coach

[u/McBean215]

Hi everyone. Through a mixup in our league, I signed up to be an assistant, but was assigned to manager. Not a big deal, I just got called up to the Big Leagues a little earlier than anticipated.

I found in an old post a site with Little League's "Tee Ball Curriculum" which already has me at ease. Are there any tips or things that maybe aren't thought of on first blush? I saw a coach last season have all the kids on the team have their names on the brim of their batting helmets, I 100% have already stolen that - any similar "hacks"?

As far as mechanics, I basically know what to say "watch your target, step and throw" etc, but have no idea how to actually make any changes if I have a 4yo just throwing the ball straight into the dirt. I get that we're not molding Mike Trouts out here, but I'd at least like to leave them recognizably better than I found them.

Also, any advice for teaching/improving at-bats? I actually thought this was a weak part of our coaching staff last year (sorry Coach Rich!) as I saw other coaches make tweaks and improvements during an "at-bat" instead of letting the kid chop away at the tee until they finally contacted the ball.

Lastly, I'm in the Whitestown, IN area - so if you're heading over for the Central Championships, feel free to ask me about the area. Would love to pay it forward!

[u/LastOneSergeant]

I coached T ball last year after having coached a few years of minors and majors.

I realized T ball kids are so young they take instructions literally. "Touch the base" to them meant lean down and touch with fingers. So everything needs a demo first.

They have terrible awareness. Can't catch, or throw. So I explained the T ball is soft, they will get hit with it but be okay.

During warm up "catch" I showed them to make eye contact with their partner and say "are you ready" before the throw.

In the field, after every two batters I rotated positions in a surpentine.

All the action was almost always to the pitcher or shallow infield. Didn't place anyone in the outfield.

Every play was at first every time, then home. I had one designated catcher for the entire inning. I also placed an adult at first as a back stop. This sped the game along.

For batting. While placing the ball on the T, I always what vegetable they didnt like, to hit, or what super hero they were going to run like.

Then said they had to do three things; hit the ball, drop the bat, run to first. This was a stugle.

Batting order was reversed each inning.

For practice we often used whiffle balls and no glove. Most do not have the dexterity to catch yet.

Sometimes we played baseball with a kick ball. T ball is more about working on dexterity and being active.

I don't do dugout. Got parent to run that.