The Playing Season
Our Tball program is designed for players aged 6 and 7. It takes place at Ravina Park on Thursday evenings from 6:15 pm to 7:15 pm. The first game will take place on May 15 and the season runs to the end of August.
The Game
Tball is a simplified version of baseball, designed to reduce waiting time and increase movement. It is more advanced than our Blastball program because it begins to teach the rules of baseball and not just its skills. Teams remain small in numbers to allow for closer supervision, to reduce waiting times and to increase opportunities for repeating all of the fun stuff. A game has 3 teams. One team hits, one team fields and a third team works with instructors on skill development. The batting team takes turns hitting the ball off of a “T”. The batter runs to first base after hitting the ball and is allowed to continue around the bases or be put out according to the rules of baseball. All players get to hit, even if 3 occur during one inning. After the hitting team has had a turn (or 2) at bat the teams rotate through the other two stations - fielding and instruction. Hitters go to instruction, fielders go to bat and the instruction team takes over the field. Players who master skills early are encouraged to join the Rookieball division, which is one level up.
Responsibility
At this age group, parents must be directly and actively involved in the supervision of their children during games and instruction times. Parents are completely responsible for the safety and behaviour of their child.
Volunteers
The Annette Baseball Association is comprised of volunteers. The City Of Toronto and/or certain school boards, own the diamonds and playgrounds that we use, but they do not provide staff or operating funds. (They used to, but have not done so for years.) Annette Baseball needs parents to volunteer to make this program work. Everyone will be asked to help by taking on manageable tasks or responsibilities. If your child is participating in Tball with the Annette Baseball Association, you are a volunteer. If you are uncomfortable with this necessary reality, a refund can be arranged.
Organization Meeting
There will be an organizational meeting for TBall parents on Thursday, May 6 at 6:15 pm, at the Annette Public School baseball diamond. The meeting will take about 60 minutes. This is an important meeting. Parents are expected to attend. We need to be well organized to provide a worthwhile experience for our children and ourselves. To attempt to operate this program without thorough preparation would be chaotic and unsafe. Parents play a pivotal role as volunteers, supervisors and instructors. We must all be prepared for the role that we will play.
Tball players and parents are invited to attend the Annette Baseball Association Championship Day Picnic held at Ravina Park in mid September. This is a chance for the kids to play one last game for the season and to participate in the related festivities. On that day pictures and trophies will be provided to all players.
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