[Aim]

At what age did your child start playing?

And when did the league introduce the concept of outs in the game?

Cameron is in his third year of baseball. The first year it was called blast ball and they had a squeaky base. IT was very informal and the kids hit the ball off the Tee and ran to the base and made it squeak. Heck, it wasn't even on a diamond. Just fun for the kids.

Last year, they introduced positions on the field. When the other team hit the ball of the Tee, the kid who fielded the ball held the ball up in the air and yelled something. The kids up to bat ran the bases. Still informal and fun.

This year, they play a game. 6 batters bat each inning. So far, they have not introduced outs. So 6 kids bat. The kids playing the field, field the ball and all are told to throw it to first. The batters are always safe and the kids work their way around the bases. After the 6th batter, all the kids on base run home and the kids fielding throw the ball home. That's every inning.

The league wants the teams to introduce outs half way through the season, which is now. Our coach is against it. And I, for the life of me, cannot figure out why he would be against it!!?!?? The kids involved were all born in 2003. So some are already 6 and some are still 5. I am just preplexed as to why this coach is against teaching the rules of the game to the kids? So I'm curious as to when other leagues teach the basic rules of the game.

 

[MidwestGirl]

Both of our kids played at the age of 5, T-ball. I think outs came about the next year or the one after that.

 

[kelli]

I started T-ball back in the day at 5.. it was full rules.. but the coach pitched and we only had 6 innings.

 

[dweck]

Probably to save on the tears and temper tantrums associated with "losing"??

Not sure....

But it all brings back the horror of my little league experience. Where I'd get assigned some critical position like left field. Which in LL, sees activity, oh, maybe once a millennium. I used to ask the RF: "Is the inning over already?"

UNTIL....

Some lucky batter gets a blast right your way. And you look up to get it and are blinded by the sun. And the only thing you can hear is the screaming/bellowing of your teammates, who suddenly look upon you as the only thing to save them from a 953-to-0 rout that they'll remember for the rest of your life. And suddenly, the ball shrinks to the size of a dust mote. And your glove has more holes in it than a politician's promise.

I won't go on.

Except to say that LL is very educational: I learned numerous times EXACTLY how Charlie Brown felt.

 

[jzgrlduff]

I remember the boys' playing T-all in 1st & 2nd grades. They had a regular diamond field, outs and all. Regular baseball started in 3rd grade.

What does Cameron think? Wait, how old is he - 6? Already in his 3rd year of baseball?! Wow!!

 

[Aim]

I remember the boys' playing T-all in 1st & 2nd grades. They had a regular diamond field, outs and all. Regular baseball started in 3rd grade.

What does Cameron think? Wait, how old is he - 6? Already in his 3rd year of baseball?! Wow!!

He just turned 6 on Saturday. Blastball (his first year) did not start until he was 4. Then he played Tball last year when he was still 4 and turned 5 during the season. And then this year- tball again- started when he was 5 and he turned 6. So yeah- 3 years. He would like to have outs. He said he doesn't know why he has to keep throwing the ball to first base if the player is always safe. He understands the very basic rules of outs. His dad plays baseball and we go to at least one game a week.

 

[MidwestGirl]

Also T-ball in the beginning of bleacher butts for parents GAH it goes on and on and on..........

 

[jzgrlduff]

He said he doesn't know why he has to keep throwing the ball to first base if the player is always safe.

Smart kid!

 

[BucksMom]

Aim, my son started playing at age 4 also, he played in a "managers pitch" league. They had 3 outs right from the start. What the heck has happened to the game? I could imagine it would be boring for some of the kids that really want to play. I know as Dustin got older (age 8) we put him in more competative ball. His first year of travel baseball was called "rookie ball", its a machine that pitches to them. Then at age 10 they played full out baseball rules. You have to look for the leagues and the rules they offer. Even after his University baseball now he still plays in the senior mens league. He pitched at the Nationals last year. It does get better, if you can't find a team for him, try looking up baseball ontario, they should have a listing for your area.