T-Ball Coach

[Curval]

hehe

Thanks for the links and advice guys.

I will keep you informed.

[gofaster]

Just remember - right about the time you get a superstar going on your team, the minors will call him up and you'll have to start from scratch!

[USHilDvl]

Curv,

Good Luck.  I coached T-ball as well, for my son when he was 5-6.  The kids were just the greatest pack of little eager-beavers I ever saw.  I had a great time playing with them and seeing the look on their faces when they accomplished something they had been working on.  You'll never beat how you feel when you've given that moment to a little one.  And you'll nevber forgt those faces, either.

I agree that it is imperative to keep the heavy competition off the radar completely.  There is plenty of over-the-top hostility and competitiveness to come if they stay with organized sports.  Let them, for Pete's sake, have an experience that's just plain fun.  We organized our league to provide playing opportunities for each and every kid...no draft, no cuts, no benching anybody other than to wait for their turn.  Remember, they are just tiny ones, and really only want FUN.  I considered my biggest obligation to be fending off parents who were just around-the-bend about playing time, drills, points, scores, winning, rank, etc...They simply don't understand that they (the parents) will never, ever play pro ball...but they expect little Johnny/Jane to be the next DiMaggio.  Trust me, they'll tell you exactly how it'll work out, and how talented the little squirt is.  They will abuse you at every turn, for things you simply can't fathom.  Parents are why I left and refused to return.

Keep the drills simple and interesting.  Keep the kids laughing while they learn.  Make sure they cheer for and encourage each other all the time.  Play for points, but not to win.  At that age, there can be no losers.

And get ready for the funniest stuff you ever saw...

Kids hits ball, rounds first, heads for second...pauses, has a thought...drops trou and keeps running straight from second to the portable toilet at the other end of the park...and never looked back!  Whistle up the kids Dad, and send him off to chase down junior and return him to second so he can finish his run!

Kid hits ball...finally!!  ...and takes off for third, running the bases backwards.  This one took a while, as they all tended to run to the first thing they could see, which was third!

Or my son...supposed to be playing outfield.  Kinda dull out there.  So when the ball finally came his way...he was literally chasing butterflys and singing to himself.  I still laugh when I think about it.

I hope it's a great thing for you...you'll at least have a few laughs along the way.

[midnight Target]

This has probably already been said but the real key to this age group (i'm guessing 4-6 yrs.) is to keep it fun.

I was a K-6 (thats Kindergarten through age 6) AYSO coach and league commisioner. My biggest issue was finding "drills" that didn't seem like they were "drills". Relay races, passing the ball around a circle, racing the coach to the water fountain... stuff like that. Pretty soon they start acting like a team and it gets really fun.

Remember to laugh at them every day... that builds character. And never ever take the game seriously... EVAR! It's a game.

[capt. apathy]

Originally posted by Curval
Okay...for sure this is the place to ask about this one.

I just got a call from the organisers of a T-Ball league that my son is about to play in.  It seems that 99% of the fathers ticked "assistant coach" on the form (myself included) as a volunteer.  The organiser (who I went to school with many moons ago) begged me to agree to be a coach.

So I said "okay".

I don't have the first CLUE how to coach a T-Ball team.

Help!??!!!

first, enjoy it.  we did little league for about 11 years.  ( we called springtime 'taco bell season' because we never ate at home) but t-ball was the most fun.  after that you get kids thinking they are some sort of superstar, and they are nothing compared to the parents.  even when my kids where on major and senior all-star teams I was wishing they were back in t-ball.

second, you will need lots of help.  at least one person in the dugout to check for tied shoes and the like, and a couple to take kids to the restroom (if you don't have escorts you will get distracted and lose track of a kid)

if you have kids who are afraid of the ball try starting them out on tennis balls first.  we even found a glove that had velcro in it to help one kid build his confidence.  once he could make a few catches with the tennis ball and velcro gloves, he learned to keep his eyes open and actually became halfway decent.

bring your wife to as many practices as possible, especially the first 3 or 4 and at least every 4th or 5th one after that.  many many single moms are out there looking for a new victim.  any guy who pays attention to their kid will get their attention quick.  having her there and visible will defuse the situation and make your home time much more livable (when you actually manage to get some time at home during the season).

and here is the most important thing.  when you set the ball on the 'T', make the kids put the bat on the ground and take a step back.  then you can put the ball on the T and step away. after you are clear of his swing radius you can let him pick it up and take a swing.  never under any circumstances do you approach a kid with a ball in your hand while he holds a bat.

[Curval]

awesome Capt.  Thanks!

[Stringer]

Originally posted by capt. apathy
and here is the most important thing.  when you set the ball on the 'T', make the kids put the bat on the ground and take a step back.  then you can put the ball on the T and step away. after you are clear of his swing radius you can let him pick it up and take a swing.  never under any circumstances do you approach a kid with a ball in your hand while he holds a bat.

THE SINGLE MOST IMPORTANT bit of advise you will receive from this thread......I say this from painfully earned experience!

[Ripsnort]

I always held the tip of their bat while I placed the ball on the T. That way I was ensured that the bat didn't swing until I let go...most of them are so anxious to get up there and swing away, its tough for them to be discipline enough to put the bat tip on the ground.  Just hold the tip, that way you know you won't get hit.

One other piece of advice that may or may not have been posted...NO ONE holds a bat in their hand except the batter at the plate. DO NOT have a kid "on deck" with a bat. All the kids should be behind the backstop, and bats down on the ground. They should only be allowed to pick up the bat when its their turn to bat. Otherwise you're going to have an accident.

[GtoRA2]

Originally posted by Stringer
THE SINGLE MOST IMPORTANT bit of advise you will receive from this thread......I say this from painfully earned experience!

You know this would have been more interesting if he learned this one on his own.

[Reschke]

I have been involved in coaching either as a head coach or assistant since shortly after college but not until the last four years for my own son. What SA2 says is worth its weight in gold about singling out your own son. In all sports there are only two times I will get on him. One is when he is not paying attention to the game/practice and the second is when he is goofing off making a foolish/dumb display like climbing the fence in the dug out.

Other than that though I send my son to other coaches for his drill's and position skills if I can. Most of the guys I know and coach with do the same for their kids as well. We all want the boys to do well and have fun and learn but most of the time I have found that any parent will tend to coach their kid first.

So remember be impartial but fair and most of all let the parents know your stance up front. One last thing; I had a friend of mine tell me recently that the only way his son was going to be the quarterback, pitcher, etc... on any of his teams was if his son was at least 20% better at the position than any other kid on the team.

[Reschke]

Originally posted by Ripsnort
I always held the tip of their bat while I placed the ball on the T. That way I was ensured that the bat didn't swing until I let go...most of them are so anxious to get up there and swing away, its tough for them to be discipline enough to put the bat tip on the ground.  Just hold the tip, that way you know you won't get hit.

My son hit me in my ribs when he was six and playing T-ball for the first time. He broke three ribs and cracked two more with that swing. Oh and I usually did what you say Rip...I just let that one slide because I got in a hurry. This was with two games left in the season.

[xrtoronto]

Originally posted by GtoRA2
You know this would have been more interesting if he learned this one on his own.

[Eagler]

next year volunteer for score keeper...
best seat in the park, you don't miss anything and your booth is usually air conditioned

[Ripsnort]

Originally posted by Reschke
My son hit me in my ribs when he was six and playing T-ball for the first time. He broke three ribs and cracked two more with that swing. Oh and I usually did what you say Rip...I just let that one slide because I got in a hurry. This was with two games left in the season.

I guess I should have added "and don't let your guard down!"  Ouch!

[Jackal1]

ROFL
T-ball coach. My sympathy.
Retain a good lawyer and see if your Dr. will script ya some valium.
One of the biggest brawls that I have ever seen over any sporting event was at a T-ball game. This event showed the kids what great sportsmanship was all about. As ecpected it was started by a parent.