How to Teach T-Ball: A Fun & Easy Lesson Plan for Beginners

Discover a complete, step-by-step T-ball lesson plan perfect for kids! This guide teaches young beginners the fundamentals of a proper stance, swinging, hitting off a tee, and running the bases in a fun, engaging way. Includes learning objectives, assessments, and activities for parents and coaches.

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T-Ball Fun: Let's Learn to Play!

Materials Needed

  • A T-ball set (tee, bat, and soft T-ball)
  • 4 "bases" (can be professional bases, throw-down rubber squares, towels, or even pieces of cardboard)
  • An open, safe space to play (backyard, park, or gymnasium)
  • Optional: Cones or markers for different activities
  • Water bottle for hydration

Learning Objectives

By the end of this lesson, you will be able to:

  • Point to Home Plate, First Base, Second Base, and Third Base.
  • Show me a good T-ball "ready stance" with your feet apart and knees bent.
  • Swing the bat and hit the ball off the tee.
  • Run to first base after hitting the ball.

Lesson Plan

1. Introduction: Becoming a T-Ball Superstar! (5 minutes)

Hook:

Educator: "Have you ever wanted to be a sports superstar? Today, you get to be one! We are going to learn how to play T-ball. The first thing a superstar needs is a power pose! Stand with your feet wide, put your hands on your hips, and look strong! Awesome! Now, are you ready to learn the secrets of T-ball?"

Today's Mission:

Educator: "Our mission today is to become official T-ball players! We will learn three secret skills:

  1. The Base Path Adventure: We'll learn where to run!
  2. The Super Swing: We'll learn how to hit the ball!
  3. The Grand Slam Run: We'll put it all together!

2. Body: T-Ball Training Time (20-25 minutes)

Part 1: The Base Path Adventure (I Do, We Do, You Do)

  • I DO (I'll show you): The educator sets up the four bases in a diamond shape.

    Educator says: "This is our T-ball field! It's like a treasure map. We start here at Home Plate. After we hit the ball, we run to First Base, then zoom to Second Base, fly to Third Base, and finally run back to Home Plate to score a point! Watch me walk the path." (Educator slowly walks from base to base, naming each one.)

  • WE DO (Let's do it together):

    Educator says: "Now let's go on the adventure together! Let’s hop like bunnies to First Base. Hop, hop, hop! Now let's stomp like dinosaurs to Second Base. Stomp, stomp! Now let's fly like airplanes to Third Base. Whoosh! And now let's race back to Home Plate! Yay, we scored a pretend point!"

  • YOU DO (Your turn to be the guide):

    Educator says: "Okay, superstar, you're the guide now! Start at Home Plate. Where do you run first? Show me! ... Yes, First Base! Now where? ... Awesome, Second Base! You've got it!"

    (Formative Assessment: Check if the learner can identify the bases in the correct order.)

Part 2: The Super Swing (I Do, We Do, You Do)

  • I DO (Watch me first):

    Educator says: "To hit the ball far, we need a Super Swing! It has three parts. First, the Ready Stance: feet are apart like a superhero, and knees are a little bouncy. Second, Look at the Ball: we keep our eyes right on the ball. Third, Swing Through: we swing the bat all the way around. Watch me." (Educator demonstrates the stance and a practice swing without the ball.)

  • WE DO (Let's try it together):

    Educator says: "Let's make our Ready Stance together. Feet apart? Check! Bouncy knees? Check! Now let's hold the bat. Good job! Now let's pretend a bug is on the ball and we have to keep our eyes on it. Let's practice a slow-motion swing together. One... two... three... SWING!"

  • YOU DO (Now you swing!):

    Educator says: "It's your turn! Show me your best Ready Stance. I'm putting the ball on the tee. Keep your eye on the ball... and give it a Super Swing!"

    (Formative Assessment: Observe the learner's stance and if they make contact. Give positive feedback like, "Great job watching the ball!" or "I love how you got your feet ready!")

Part 3: The Grand Slam Run! (Putting it all together)

  • This part combines hitting and running into the main activity.

  • Educator says: "Okay, it's game time! The two rules are: 1. Hit the ball. 2. Run to first base! Remember to drop the bat gently after you swing so you don't trip."

  • YOU DO (The Big Game):

    Educator says: "Step up to Home Plate, superstar! Get in your Ready Stance. Take a swing... WOW! Great hit! Now RUN, RUN, RUN to first base! You did it!"

    Repeat this several times, cheering enthusiastically for each hit and run.

3. Conclusion: T-Ball Player Celebration (5 minutes)

Recap and Review:

Educator: "You were amazing today! You are officially a T-Ball Player. Let's do a quick recap of our secret skills. Show me with your fingers, how many bases are there? (Four!). What's the first thing we do to get ready to hit? (Ready Stance!). And what do we do right after we hit the ball? (Run to first base!)."

Reinforce and Celebrate:

Educator: "You learned the whole game today—how to get ready, how to hit, and where to run. Give yourself a big round of applause! You're a T-ball superstar!" (High-fives and celebration.)

Assessment of Learning

  • Formative (During the lesson): Observe the learner's ability to follow directions during the "We Do" and "You Do" activities. Listen to their answers to questions about the bases and the steps for hitting. Provide gentle corrections and positive reinforcement in the moment.
  • Summative (At the end of the lesson): The final "You Do" activity in Part 3 serves as the summative assessment. Can the learner successfully demonstrate the sequence of standing at the plate, hitting the ball off the tee, and running to first base?

Success Criteria (What success looks like):

  • The learner can stand at home plate and point towards first base when asked where to run.
  • The learner attempts a "Ready Stance" with feet apart.
  • The learner swings the bat and makes contact with the ball on the tee.
  • The learner runs in the direction of first base after hitting the ball.

Differentiation and Adaptability

  • For a Learner Needing More Support (Scaffolding):
    • Use hand-over-hand guidance to help them hold the bat and swing correctly.
    • Use a larger, lighter bat and a bigger, softer ball (like a beach ball).
    • Focus on only one skill at a time. Spend more time on just hitting, and then practice just running.
    • Place bright, colorful markers on the bases to make them easier to see.
  • For a Learner Ready for a Challenge (Extension):
    • Challenge them to run all the way to second base after a really good hit.
    • Have them try to hit the ball toward a specific target (like a cone or a bucket).
    • Introduce the concept of fielding: after they hit, you can gently roll another ball out and have them try to pick it up and throw it to first base.

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