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Chapter 3 · Ball Games and Target Games

No.85

Tee-Ball: An Introduction

Japanese name: ティーボール入門

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A123BCD
4-base example. Never throw the ball at a runner.

Diagram key

A
Home base
B
Keep the running route separate from the waiting area.
C
Return the ball to the adult at home base.
D
Put the bat down before running.

Materials

  • A soft tee-ball ball
  • A lightweight, safe bat
  • A batting tee
  • Four flat bases including home

How to play

  1. Split into batting and fielding teams. Arrange home, first, second and third base in a diamond. Separate the bat-swing area from waiting players; an adult checks safety.
  2. Hit the stationary ball from the tee, put the bat in its designated place, then run around the bases in order.
  3. Fielders retrieve the ball and return it to the adult at home. The runner advances until that adult replaces it on the tee and calls “Stop!”
  4. Score by the furthest base reached: first 1, second 2, third 3, home 4, with a maximum of 4 points for one circuit. Do not run a second circuit. Return to wait; never throw at runners. The next batter waits until the runner returns.
  5. After everyone bats once, swap roles. Give equal batting opportunities, compare total scores and tidy together.

Ways to adapt

Preschool children: one-to-one adult help and a short scoring run. Younger primary school children: an adult manages home and bases are closer. Older primary school children: widen base spacing to suit running ability.

Sources and references