T-ball - La Follette,TN

Absolutly nothing! It is so much fun to watch the little ones play T-Ball. It is really non competative and it's just for fun. They are learning to listen to a coach, hand eye coordination, pay attention to their surroundings, etc...but in a fun way.

The ONLY thing WE had to buy was the glove, the league here in our town supplied the coachs all the other supplies like bases, white chalk for marking the fields, the T, the balls, batting helmets, bats, everything and they were responsible for their kits and had to turn them back in after the season.

We decided to buy a batting helmet. Wait until you have practiced and find out what the league regulations are. Ours didn't allow certain types and the league actually provided some for our use. I worry about head lice so we bought one at Wal-Mart.

We also bought a pink T-Ball bat and a couple of the other girls had the same one and a few of the boys brought thier own too, but again, the league supplied the coaches with bats for our use.

We bought shoes with cleats, obviously she didn't need them (Our league had a "no out" rule for T-Ball so everyone made it around the bases) but it made the outfit look more like a big kids uniform.

We bought the baseball pants the second or third season she played because everyone else had them, they were about $15 at Hibbets. The tee shirts were supplied by the league, part of the fees, and they were primary tones like navy, emerald green, red, dark purple, orange, bright yellow, etc...with white lettering one year and maybe black lettering the next year, so we have white ball pants and black ball pants.

I can tell you now that ours was the flower picker for the first winter and spring seasons but after that she was the gymnast, always turning flips in the field. The coaches were good at reidrecting all the kids back to the game. The kids get bored after standing in the same place waiting for a batter to finally hit the ball after 4-5 tries of having it pitched to them and then when they finally get it on the T and hit it the kids would go to work.

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Not sure about the league you will be playing in but in the one my kids play in, they have to provide their own batting helmet. The helmet and glove you can buy at Walmart, Target, or any sporting good store. T-ball is easy and is so much fun to watch and for the kids to play ! Oh - and make sure her name is in EVERYTHING - even on the glove somewhere, her helmet (if she has her own) her cap, etc. It's so easy for this age to lose and misplace or someone else pick up their stuff in the dugout. Take lots of pictures and have fun !

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You should expect TONS of fun and a lifetime of joy!! Two of our daughters started out in T Ball when they were five and didn't stop playing fast pitch softball until they were through with college!! Check with the league and see what you need to provide...she should be on a "team" and your coach will know what to expect.
Our girls t ball games always ended in a "tie" so that no one had to worry about winning or losing. Expect tons of laughter as the coaches run the bases with the girls, so they get them heading in the right direction...and don't be surprised if your daughter spends more time in the outfield picking dandelions than she does watching for fly balls!!! Get yourself a comfortable lawn chair, an umbrella for sunny days and an ice chest for after game snacks and prepare for the time of your life!!!
Oh my goodness, you have brought back some wonderful memories!!!

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Get ready for fun fun fun!!! Get your own glove and PLEASE buy her own helmet even if they provide some to use. Not only worry about head lice but MRSA. So just play it safe a buy a helmet. Take a camera and sunscreen, drinks and comfy chair.

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You should expect to have a blast , I have a 6 yr old son and we have so much fun., expect to laugh alot especially since this is her 1st time. You should have no worries.

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Tball is the most hysterical thing to watch. The kids don't pay attention until the coach is yelling at them to get the ball and then they get so excited that they throw it to the wrong person. My favorites are running to third instead of first and running around the person who hit before them so they can get home first. It's all about fun!

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I've coached T-ball before and Bill Engvall got it right when he said it was like "Herding Chickens". LOL!!!

In T-ball, the most imporant thing is not who won or lost, who hit a home run, who struck out, who's got the coolest uniform, etc. The most important thing about T-ball was summed up in one question by a runner on 3rd base who asked me "What's for snack?"

Bring a comfortable chair, sunscreen, something cool to drink, and your sense of humor. At this age, all players should play an equal amount of time and get to bat each inning. I've seen some leagues where the entire roster is playing the field at the same time.

Make sure you reinforce the safety rules at home with your daughter. Make sure she understands never to swing the bat when someone else is close by and never to walk up next to someone who is swinging the bat. Accidents can and will happen even in supervised situations.

Ask the coach if they need a team mom to help out in the dugout. 5-year olds don't understand lineups and most can't read them anyway. They might need someone to keep the kids entertained/seated in the dugout while the rest of the team is batting or out in the field. Remember, you get about a minute of attention span per year old of the child. Innings can run from 5 minutes to 25 minutes and a lot can happen if an adult isn't in the dugout and paying attention.

Make sure you label your child's hat, uniform, glove, bat, bag, water bottle, etc. My daughter always had a small bag (you can get one at Academy, Walmart, etc.) she could carry her glove, helmet, and bat in. It had a clip on one end that allowed you to hang it on the inside fence of the dugout. It gets it up out of the floor so no one tripped over it.

Take lots of photos and have fun!!!

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That is great! I am sure that she will enjoy it. The only thing that I would suggest is to either see if she can wear her baseball cap under the batting helmet or else get her own that only she wears. A friend's daughter's teammate had head lice, did not realize it, and the entire team soon had it. My sons all played ball and we always had their own helmets. If we forgot it then we did the cap under method. Luckily we never had this issue.

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hi, i have five boy's and 4 of them and one daughter played starting at 5. one was 4. anyway be prepared for a hoot watching games. they will do the silliest things out there in the games. play inthe dirt, sit down, run the wrong way, put dirt in their hat and throw it in the air. the list goes on and on. unless things have changes. remember they are five. have fun. mom of seven. god bless, R.

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Nothing to be worried about. T-Ball is fun and easy. You will need to buy her a glove and make sure she is wearing good running shoes and that she has something to drink at every practice. You will be (probably)responsible for at least one snack for the team after a game. We usually do fruit snacks and lil' Gatorade. That's it. Easy. Enjoy!

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Also remember that if your daughter is more interested in picking flowers or grass or making pictures in the dirt, that's perfectly okay! Don't get frustrated with her. Just enjoy the moment. My girls weren't really into the game, but they really seemed to enjoy the nature around them!

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