LESSON VI

Lead-up games
Objective: The student will be able to gain futher understanding of baseball fundamentals, rules and
progression by successfully participating in the following lead-up games.

In lead-up games the players will use all the skill learned in previous lessons, including ball grip and
throwing motion, catcthing, batting and base running.

Drills

First or Home

Divide students in half into offensive and defensive teams. Defense takes normal positions. Batters on
offensive team rotate through the entire group before switching to defense. Batters hit the ball from tee
and run to 1B and back to home. Runners do not run to 2B or 3B. If batter reaches 1B successfully, he
may attempt to return home or remain at 1B until the following batter puts the ball in play. Runners at
1B cannot run on a fly ball until the ball is caught or hits the ground.

Defenders try to put out runners by catching the ball in the air, tagging the runners between bases or
throwing the ball to the bases before the runners arrive. Offense scores one run for each runner who
reaches home safely. Teams switch after three outs are made or when each of the player on the batting
side has taken a turn at bat.

“S” Rotation Teeball (Kickball, Tee ball, Throwball)

At least nine defenders take positions on the field. Offensive players take turns kicking volleyball,
which pitcher roll toward home plate. Starting about two meters behind home plate, “batter” runs up
abd kicks the ball and runs toward 1B, then continues running the bases as in regular Tee ball games

After a player is put out, or has scored two runs, he or she takes a defensive position in right field and
defenders rotate as shown in diagram. The catcher becomes a batter.

A batter may be put out by: a) a fly ball caught before it reaches the ground b) a roller caught and
thrown to a base before a forced runner arrives, c) a defender touching a runner with the ball between
bases, d) a roller thrown by a defender that touches a runner between bases.

Variations: 1) Use a rubber baseball and have batters put the ball in play by throwing it with their non-
throwing arm, 2) Use ball, bat and batting tee.

In these variations, defenders cannot put out runner by throwing the ball at him.
Lesson VII
Tee Ball Competition
Objective: The student will be able to correctly understand the progression and rules of Tee Ball
competition.

Instruction

Review terms in glossary at back of book.

Adjust field size to skill level and physical maturity of students. Establish non-playable areas beyond
1B and 3B, in which an overthrown ball becomes dead and runners advance one base. Review rules of
batting order.

Emphasize that runners must be in contact with bases when ball is hit from tee; no basestealing;
baserunners may not advance after a play has ended and the ball has been returned to the defensive
player at home plate. Make sure the catcher is to the opposite side and well behind the batter when the
batter is ready to swing at the ball.

Play Tee Ball games of 20-30 minutes or 3-4 innings. If defenders are having touble getting the
offensive team out, rule that batting will rotate once through entire line up, then switch to defense.
When the last batter in the lineup hits the ball, the batter and all runners try to advance to home plate.
The innings ends and the sides change when either the defense makes an out at any base or the last
batter crosses the plate.

A batter loses his/her opportunity to bat only when, after two strikes, an attempt to hit the ball is
unsuccessful.

Although the batter in his/her attempt to beat the ball to first base may touch the base and continue
straight ahead, 2nd and 3rd bases are islands where the runners can be estimated if touched while off the
base.

Players rotate positions each defensive half inning. Note that the pitcher is the only defender allowed
inside the diamond before the ball is hit.

Baserunners may not advance after a play has been completed and ball the has been returned to the
defender at home base.

Basestealing is not permitted.

The objective is to score more runs than the other team.

At the end of the agreed amount of innings, the team that has scored the most runs is the winner.