Blastball

[tip184]

http://www.baseball.ca/eng_doc.cfm?DocID=71

The Blastball program was created a few years ago in an effort to get young kids interested in the game of baseball and to teach them the most basic techniques. For those of you who have experience with the program or for those of you who do not, what do you think about the effectiveness of Blastball?

I find it concerning that parents have to pay money to sign their kid up for a league whose game could easily be played outside with friends and neighbours. It makes me wonder whether an organized league is the only way parents can coax their kids into taking part in physical activities these days. Does Blastball really improve kids' skills, and does get them interested in a baseball career? What is an ideal pre-teeball baseball program?

[new2thesport]

It looks interesting but I must admit, after watching my son play t- ball and coach pitch, it would seem "less" exciting.
Where we live is a very small rural community and we have to drive 50 miles when little league is in season. The school that my son goes to has 133 children. 4 played last year and 5 signed up to play this year.
Qutie frankly, Baseball is not played where we live. When I practice with my son at this school (after school), there are 8 children who wait for the bus and they come and are interested in baseball. They dont know the game, how to catch, throw, hit, etc. They range form 2nd to 5th grade.
I think Blastball would be perfect for them since it is simple and seems quick.
To be honest, I wish I had the knowledge and the ability of many posters here so I could teach those children who are interested. That would be something good.

[alpo]

It looks interesting but I must admit, after watching my son play t- ball and coach pitch, it would seem "less" exciting.
Where we live is a very small rural community and we have to drive 50 miles when little league is in season. The school that my son goes to has 133 children. 4 played last year and 5 signed up to play this year.
Qutie frankly, Baseball is not played where we live. When I practice with my son at this school (after school), there are 8 children who wait for the bus and they come and are interested in baseball. They dont know the game, how to catch, throw, hit, etc. They range form 2nd to 5th grade.
I think Blastball would be perfect for them since it is simple and seems quick.
To be honest, I wish I had the knowledge and the ability of many posters here so I could teach those children who are interested. That would be something good.


I think that if you are willing to put in the time you could pull it off. Nine/ten kids will make a team. The advice here is golden. The Cal Ripken DVDs are a great resource as far as getting things started, and you can find them pretty cheap on the web. I have a bunch of books and joined webball.com for additional help. Get a team together... or at least get a group of kids together on the local field. You may have a golden opportunity on your hands. Sometimes not being in a hotbed of baseball activity can be a good thing, especially at this age.

If you want some additional input on starting from scratch, send me a PM and I'll let you know where I have gone for instruction and some of the things I've done and will be doing.

alpo

[new2thesport]

Thanks Alpo for the kind words. Unfortunately, I am also a beginner learning the game and have never played the sport. It would be non-condusive for the children to learn from me. This is why it would be awesome IF I had the knowledge and ability like some of the members of this forum.

[callyjr]

Thanks Alpo for the kind words. Unfortunately, I am also a beginner learning the game and have never played the sport. It would be non-condusive for the children to learn from me. This is why it would be awesome IF I had the knowledge and ability like some of the members of this forum.

the worst thing you can do is get them more interested in playing. Take a shot at helping them. you can keep it simple.

[cubsphill]

what ever happened to good old wiffleball in your and your best friends backyards?

[tip184]

I didn't make things quite clear with my first post. Blastball is for VERY young kids. 3 to 5 years of age. What is the best way to teach these kids the game of baseball?

The techniques of baseball are fairly simple and stay basically the same no matter what the skill level. Most coaching books will break the basic skills (throwing, hitting, fielding grounders, running, pitching) into steps that you split up and have your players practice one at a time (ie rotating the hips without using a bat).