In the game of T-ball, everyone’s a winner
T-ball players from the Bears and Hoosiers “squared off” on Field H at Aspen Park last week. While T-ball games are rarely controversial, they do spark some “face to face” smack talk.
Patient moms and dads serve as volunteer coaches, instructing the kids on how to bat, stand, run the bases, field the ball and throw to base for an out. youngsters delight in crossing homeplate as they run back to the dugout.
Pint-sized players in Brandon Valley’s t-ball program learn how to throw the ball, delight in a play made and take direction from parent coaches, such as Craig Bosch. (Below) Helmets are sometimes a bit over-sized, but nonetheless, the kids put a smile on their face, take aim at the ball on the tee, and scramble for balls that are hit their way.
Everybody wins and nobody ever loses.
Every player bats every inning.
The number of strikes allowed are unlimited.
Every batter runs around the bases every inning, no matter the route they may take (hence, the little girl who ran to the pitcher’s mound from home plate before steering her way to first base).
More than three outs are allowed each inning, that is, if any are actually pulled off.
Defense is oftentimes played sitting down.
Batting helmets are sometimes too small, but more often too big for the pint-sized players.
Bathroom breaks are allowed when the need arises, even if you happen to be on base at the time or filling the role of shortstop.
Oh, and the gravel infield beneath the kids’ feet seems to be more intriguing than the game itself that’s being played.
All of this and a whole lot more are just a sampling of the “cuteness” that unfolds during the local six-week T-ball season. The program, which boasts 140 youngsters split among 14 teams this season, is organized by the Brandon Valley Youth Softball Association.
The 14 teams are the Aggies, Bears, Bearcats, Bison, Blue Devils, Bruins, Ducks, Gators, Hawkeyes, Hoosiers, Jayhawks, Seminoles, Spartans and the Wolverines.
T-ball essentially introduces 4- and 5-year-olds to the game. And it’s where the dreams of smacking homeruns and winning championship banners begins for Brandon Valley’s future softball and baseball players.
Thanks to a village of patient moms and dads who volunteer as T-ball coaches, they make it possible for kids to play on a team, make new friends, have fun while developing their skills as a player and learn about good sportsmanship.
