proper way to hold a baseball

[HeinekenMan]

I coached teeball with 4-year-old kids. The parents love to see little Timmy in his baseball outfit and enjoy seeing him run around on the field. But some of those kids can be a nightmare for coaches. I had one kid who would not listen to any instructions. It was as if he could not hear me. I would put him at second base, and he would run directly at home plate while another kid was swinging at a ball. He was such a handful that me and two other coaches dreaded seeing his family walking toward the field. They wouldn't do or say anything to help us. He was an extreme case. But there were other 4-year-olds who could cause chaos during practices and games. The majority of the 5-year-old kids were much more manageable and learned significantly more.

[DerekD]

I believe a 3-5 year old will develop more agility playing in the park and on the jungle gym than playing tee ball. I made the mistake of getting my son involved in 4U soccer. Most of the kids stood around petrified of the kids who were moving quickly. If I had to do it over again my son would have been playing in the park.

I agree with this. Both of my kids have always been "dare devils" to an extent, playing or climbing on anything that they could get a grip or a foothold on. I think it definitely has added to their ahtleticism.

[tg643]

4u-5u T-ball is just exercise. It's much like the same age with soccer. It's more something to do than anything else.

I believe a 3-5 year old will develop more agility playing in the park and on the jungle gym than playing tee ball. I made the mistake of getting my son involved in 4U soccer. Most of the kids stood around petrified of the kids who were moving quickly. If I had to do it over again my son would have been playing in the park.

[Roothog66]

It was for years. I don't believe the levels above LL were worse off for it. The problem is kids aren't getting reps in the neighborhood anymore. I had a lot of baseball experience before I was nine competing against the older kids in the neighborhood. Whatever is best I won't move off 3U and 4U tee ball being anything but absurd.

4u-5u T-ball is just exercise. It's much like the same age with soccer. It's more something to do than anything else.

[tg643]

Do you believe 9 y/o is the ideal time for kids to play their first organized game of baseball?

It was for years. I don't believe the levels above LL were worse off for it. The problem is kids aren't getting reps in the neighborhood anymore. I had a lot of baseball experience before I was nine competing against the older kids in the neighborhood. Whatever is best I won't move off 3U and 4U tee ball being anything but absurd.

[songtitle]

If kid's hands are just to small to grip the ball correctly what do you teach them? 3 fingers?

Most kids don't know how to grip the ball properly with 2 fingers.

They should be able to grip the ball with the thumb and the middle (second) finger directly opposite. Have them test this grip by 'flicking' their wrist like this first, then lay the index (first) finger down.

[mr. potato head]

Maybe it demonstrates LL knew what it was doing when the earliest age of particiation was originally nine years old.

Do you believe 9 y/o is the ideal time for kids to play their first organized game of baseball?

[tg643]

Maybe it demonstrates LL knew what it was doing when the earliest age of particiation was originally nine years old.

[Jake Patterson]

If kid's hands are just to small to grip the ball correctly what do you teach them? 3 fingers?

Yes... For the little guys three fingers is not a problem.

[$tinky]

If kid's hands are just to small to grip the ball correctly what do you teach them? 3 fingers?