Baseball has been passed from generation to generation in the United States. Fathers introduce the games to their sons as their fathers introduced the game to them. Baseball can be enjoyed by players as young as 4 years of age. However, learning to play the game can be a challenge because players need to learn to hit the ball, catch the ball and throw it as well. When teaching kids to play, it's always best to remember that it is a game and that it is supposed to be fun.
Step 1
Teach children the proper way to throw the baseball. When taking the ball out of the glove, it's important for children to learn to throw the ball in an overhand motion. One of the ways to do this is to show them the proper motion by extending your arm over your head, stepping forward with your left foot (for a right-handed thrower) and then stepping into the throw and delivering the ball. Use this phrase during the instruction process: "Thumb to thigh, fingers to the sky." This means that you touch the thumb of your throwing hand to your upper leg and then make a circle with your arm so that your fingers are pointing to the sky as you deliver the ball.
Step 2
Teach children the proper way to catch a ball that is thrown or batted to them. Have them turn the fingers of the glove up toward the sky on any ball coming in chest-level or higher. On any ball below that height, have them turn the glove toward the ground. Always use the throwing hand to cover the ball once it is in the glove. That's what catching with two hands means.
Step 3
Play the alligator game with children when teaching them to catch ground balls. Have them put their glove, web-side up, on the ground in the spot where a ground ball is going. Once they have the ball in their glove, have them take their throwing hand and put it right on top of the ball. Their hand comes down on the ball similar to the way an alligator chomps down when it bites. When players are in the infield, remind them of this by saying "alligator" from your spot on the bench.
Step 4
Teach hitting with a positive attitude and maximum encouragement. The best tool to use is a batting tee. Many players start off by playing T-ball, and that's appropriate for youngsters. It teaches the principle of a level swing. It also teaches the players to hit the ball squarely because a player who takes a hard swing is likely to hit the T and a piece of the ball. That will result in a dribbler. Players soon see that an easier swing that's a direct hit on the ball will make the ball travel farther.
Things You'll Need
- Baseball
- Baseball glove
- Baseball bat
- Batting tee
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