Teach Your Child How to Play Baseball

Baseball has always been the American pastime sport, it began its reign in the early 1800’s and has risen in popularity ever since. While baseball has been the sport that has helped ease the stress of problems throughout history such as the great depression, world wars, and other country problems, it is also a great sport to be a part of and the game has raised the spirits of players and by-standers alike.

Since that time in history baseball has grown to include elementary, junior high, and high school teams. Children can begin to play on a baseball team as young as the first grade. The fundaments of baseball are taught in this setting along with lessons in teamwork, good sportsmanship, and the effects of winning and having fun.

Preschool
In this age group, your first step is to provide a T-ball set for your children. T-ball is much easier for younger children to learn how to hit the ball rather than hitting the ball that is pitched to them. A baseball is placed in a stable pole where younger children can hit the ball as it sits still. This is a great way for children to learn the art of batting.

While training them to use a T-ball set, you can use the ole Eplaying catch method to help them get some experience with catching the ball. As opposed to teaching children the techniques of this sport at this age, start with fun methods that you and your child can both enjoy. You can show them simple wrist movements for throwing the ball as well as ways to catch the ball with the mitt, but keep it very simple with positive reinforcements for effort.

Main points to address:

• Use a T-ball set to get them started with hitting.
• Play catch regularly so they can understand how to catch properly.

Grades K-3rd
Once children reach this age group you can expand on the information of baseball. Rent videos or books that teach children the fundaments, this is a great time to go over the rules of baseball, the innings, regulations and basic information on fouls and other important aspects of the game.

There is more than just one type of pitch in baseball, now is the perfect opportunity to go over with your child each one of those pitches and how they help to get the batter out. (See below for *baseball pitches in the resources section of this article) Between the fastball, the curve ball, the screwball, etc. you’ll have all the information you need to teach your child these pitching tricks with the resources provided.

Main points to address:

• Provide them with the rules and regulations of baseball
• Show them a variety of pitches

Grades 4th-6th
This is a perfect age group for children to enjoy the benefits of a major league or college-level baseball game. If you are currently inactive with the pro-level, triple A or college-level games it would be perfect time for you and your child to get some tickets and get out to the ball game, make this a learning experience as well as a fun one. There is a lot children can learn from the game while watching from the sidelines, it will also create a more balanced love for the game.

Be an active role in your child’s baseball games, if they play for a structured team. If they do not, be an active role teaching them the fundaments yourself. This will not only create a bond between the both of you, but will also give you both a better understanding of the game and resources for which to learn more together.

Main points to address:

• Be an active role in your child’s baseball team.
• Take them to a pro or college-level baseball game, if you can.

Resources
Resources that can help you in your venture include:

• *Baseball Pitches – http://www.thecompletepitcher.com/pitching_grips.htm
• *Baseball Pitch Glossary – http://everything2.com/index.pl?node_id=1195039
• Baseball Tips – http://www.baseballtips.com
• Teach children Baseball – http://www.recreate.com/Pages/articles/ssingle2.shtml
• Baseball for Parents – http://www.baseballforparents.com/JDG/2006/

Posted in Leisure.

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