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Introduction
MiniBall is based on TeeBall, a
modified form of the adult games of
softball and baseball. It is aimed
at ages 4-7: both boys and girls.
Batters hit from a “tee”:- they do
not have to hit a thrown (pitched)
ball.
- After
hitting, the batter runs to 1st
base, or to 2nd or even to 3rd if
the hit is good enough.
- The next
batter does the same, and they all
advance.
A run is scored each time a player
gets all the way around the bases
and back to home.
The defence (fielding side) tries to
get the batters out by catching the
ball on the full, or by fielding it
and throwing to a base ahead of a
runner or the batter.
- Each
child gets a turn batting (about 6-8
minutes), and then the sides change
over:- the fielding side has a turn
batting.
- This
keeps rotating until the game time
is up. The winner is the side with
the most runs when the game is
finished.
Event Structure
Midweek evening sessions: two per
night, one night a week. The pilot
programme in Term 4, 2006, was on
Friday evenings.
- A third early
session (straight after
after school) is a
possibility for the
future?
30-minute Clinic + 45-minute Game
-
 The
Clinic phase teaches basic skills
and doubles as a warmup
Seasons aligned to school terms
- Four
terms of about 10 weeks each
- Aimed at
kids who do not currently play
weekend TeeBall
Complete supervision framework
- First-aid
certificate-holder in attendance
- Extensive
Child Protection framework
- “Tutors”
(experienced & elite teenage
players) are on site to assist with
game management. One allocated per
diamond.
Basic Rules
For people with some knowledge of
baseball or TeeBall, this is how
MiniBall is modified …
Rules of Hills weekend TeeBall
- Special
soft-core ball used – safer than
even a tennis ball.
- Base
paths of 50’ (18.3m)
-
Overall
field
size of
110’
(36m)
- All
players bat each inning – no “3
outs”
- Tagging
not required on unforced plays
Additional modifications for
MiniBall:-
- Minimum
Team size of six = potentially no
outfielders.
- No need
to tag on fly balls – just run on
the hit
- Non-competitive (scores announced
but not recorded
Term Schedule
Week 1 - Free Orientation Night
- Come &
Try at no charge. Free food, free
gift.
- Kids are
supervised doing fun activities
while a parent is recruited to be
the team coach
- Teams are
formed
- Several
League Officials available for
questions and help
Weeks 2-10
- Parents
coach & manage the teams
- Extensive
Guidebook documents all aspects. No
prior knowledge is assumed. Website,
online forum & phone support.
- A Tutor
is attached to each diamond
- Parent-coaches need not know
anything about teeball to begin
- Tutors
assist parent-coaches with drills,
skill-coaching etc
- A Tutor
umpires each game, and scores it
Informal Setting
Minimal uniform (cap & tee-shirt
only) Apart from this, kids can
dress any way they like.
- No
outside training:– just show up &
play
High quality venues
- Several
venues planned throughout the Hills
District:- aiming for less than a
10-minute drive from your home to
the park
- Pleasant,
friendly venue surrounds
- Café-style canteen menu: “adult
food”
- Easy
access, adequate parking, drop-off
bay.
- Toilets
adjacent to the field
- Spectator/Cafe seating adjacent to
the field
- Lights,
both on-field and in the immediate
precinct
- Alcohol
not sold or allowed
- Age
eligibility is the child’s age “this
term”
Registration
Base fee of $59 per term flat charge
$38 “Getting Started Pack” once only
- Comprises
cap, shirt, glove & Guidebook.
- Host
Clubs provides all other equipment
- Free ball
each season … Kids keep one from the
kit. Gives them a reminder to come
back next term. Also, an incentive
to throw it around with family &
friends during the holidays.
- Trophy at
the end of each term for all players
Registration & payment via website & printed
forms
Credit card, cash or cheque
No
medical insurance (Suggest
StudentCover @ $25pa instead)
Register single children, groups of
friends or entire teams. |
