A Tee-ball, also known as T ball, Tee-ball, or Teeball, is a team sport based on simplifying softball, cricket, and baseball. T ball was developed to serve as an introduction to children aged 4 to 6 for them to develop game skills and enjoy themselves. Unlike baseball, the ball is hit off support rather than a pitch.
Like any other game, Tee-ball also has its own pieces of equipment, including the tee, the bat, the gloves, footwear, and balls.
Equipment
Let’s take a quick look at this equipment for youth
Tee
The tee has an adjustable height, a flexible tube, and a movable base.
Gloves
The maximum height of a tee-ball glove is about 12 inches long. However, the size greatly depends on the age of the player.
Footwear
Any athletic footwear can be used to play Tee-ball. E.g. Running shoes
Balls
The balls used in playing T-ball are typically identical to those used in softball, except that they are softer to reduce injuries. It weighs about 4 oz, and it’s about 9 to 9.5 inches. It also has a sponge rubber center or a molded core.
Bats
The Tee bats are about 25 to 26 inches long. Approximately 2.24 in diameter and has a height of about 17 to 20 inches.
In this article, we shall take a look at how to choose the perfect size of a T-bat that suits your child.
Check out the following articles for all the info
Top Baseball Hitting Drills for Beginners
Things to consider when choosing a T ball bat
Find the correct length.
The length of a T-ball bat matters a lot; if the length is too short or too long, your child will not be able to swing the bat appropriately.
Measuring Techniques
You can quickly determine if the length is okay by following these measuring techniques:
- Ask the child to place the bat on the center of their chest while stretching their arms. If the child can comfortably reach the tip of the bat with their palm, then the bat is of the right length.
- Ask the child to position the bat on the center of their chest, facing outward; if the child can comfortably grab the barrel of the bat, then the bat is of the right length.
- Stand the bat against the side of the child’s leg. If the upper part of the bat reaches the center of their palm when they reach down, then the length of the bat is okay.
Weight of a T-Bat
The length of a T-bat isn’t the only thing to consider when choosing the perfect size; the weight also must be considered. If the weight of a bat is too heavy, the child might not be able to swing it; on the other hand, if the weight is too light, it might be too brisk for the child.
Techniques to Check Weight of a Bat
You can follow these simple techniques to know if the weight of a bat is right for your child.
Drop Measurement
Look for the drop measurement. This can be found somewhere along the bat’s barrel or the handle. Then calculate the drop of the bat; this is the difference between the length of the bat and its weight.
For example, if the length of the bat is 20 inches with a 10-ounce weight. Then subtract 20 from 10, and that’s the drop. Experts suggest that an average Tee-ball has a drop of about 10 to 14.
If a child can hold a bat out to their side for about 30 to 45 seconds comfortably, then the weight of the bat is okay. Because if a child can hold a bat for such a time, then he/she can comfortably swing the bat.
Other Things to Consider When Choosing a T Ball Bat for Your Child
The weight and the height of a T-ball-bat are the most essential things to consider when choosing the right size of a T-ball bat, but there are still other factors that you are supposed to consider. These factors include price, brand, age, and other things.
Let’s take a peep at these factors
Brand
When buying a Tee-ball bat, buy from a well-known and reliable brand. It is better to buy from a brand that has gotten good feedback from its former customers. Many brands are producing Tee ball bats and marketing them both in the online and offline markets. Just make sure you take a good look at a brand, and ask people that have to patronize them before buying from them.
Price
An important thing to consider when buying anything is the price. When buying a Tee ball-bat, don’t buy a cheap one because cheap products aren’t always of high quality. This doesn’t mean you should go for expensive things.
It is advisable to buy things that tally with your budget and buy a high-quality tee bat that will last long for your child, not a too cheap or too expensive non-quality Tee-ball bat.
Age
Another thing to consider when buying a Tee-ball bat is the age of your child, this has a lot to do with the weight and height of the bat. If your child is about 4-5 years old, choose a bat that has a small drop measurement. As the child grows older, you can keep changing the bat to the size that will suit the age of the child.
Conclusion
The size of a bat, its weight, and its height is essential. Many parents tend to grab the first tee ball bat they came across but end up finding out that the bat is too long, too short, or too heavy for their child. Every parent wants his child to be a good hitter and succeed in their sports career. This is why you have to choose the right bat for your child.
Tee-ball bats came in different sizes, and shapes, with different barrels or tops. The age, height, and weight of a player will determine the size of the bat that he will use. However, the majority of Tee ballplayers use bat sizes 25 to 26.
