After searching high and low, Carson is now signed up for t-ball.
Several of the leagues I found online for four-year-old t-ball cost as much as $150. One HUNDRED and fifty dollars.
I found leagues that talked about “drafts” and “practice” and “hitting coaches.” Every child needed cleats and a uniform and a batting helmet.
My stomach burned nervously reading about these leagues. Carson is four! FOUR! I just want him to have the opportunity to learn how to play and take turns and maybe get a trophy.
My neighbor told me about a local club that sponsors youth t-ball. Thirty bucks is the fee, every child gets a t-shirt and a trophy. Every child plays, they can wear whatever shoes they have. When we signed up, a man with kind eyes said that the season is a success if every kid learns to at least knock the ball off the tee and if nobody gets hurt. He smiled and told us that watching four-year-old’s play t-ball is just about the most hilarious thing he’s ever seen, with every kid running for the ball, some kids running back into the stands to their parents after hitting, and the grass pickers in the outfield that watch the balls go right through their legs.
Games start in April.
**********
Tate shows wavering excitement about Carson starting t-ball. Some days he’s patient with Carson, other days he forgets that he’s four-years-old and not yet Albert Pujols.
Carson also shows wavering excitement. Some days he’s gung ho and wants to play. Other days he stomps and throws the bat down when he doesn’t hit the ball as far as he’d like. I act as referee and remind them both that we’re learning and just trying to have a good time.
For the past several weeks, Tate and his son go outside for a little t-ball practice, where I think they are both learning lessons about baseball. But mostly I think they’re learning lessons about life.
We avoided t-ball this year. Soccer was enough for us. I’m just not ready to make the journey into the dark dark world of youth sports and parents of youths in sports. (And I’m a coach!!!)
.-= Alison´s last blog ..Daughter =-.
I have 3 playing this year; tball, softball & majors. My oldest is 13 & has played every year since he was 5. There are times I absolutely loath baseball season. I feel like I’m running around like a crazy person trying to get everyone everywhere on time & there’s very lil down time for me- gettting up at 6am on a saturday when i should be sleeping in to get one to a game. ugh.
But the upside is they definitely make good friends along the way & learn that sometimes u win & sometimes u lose- a valuable lesson some grown ups i know could definitely benefit from. lol.
Sorry for such a long comment!
.-= Larissa´s last blog ..A letter to my readers… all 5 of them =-.
Soccer and football in Nashville run about $125-$150 per season. Typically that includes the shirt and the trophy, but not shoes or other gear.
Shark Boy is doing rock climbing this spring, after I paid for a soccer season AND a football season last year that both got almost completely rained out. Rock climbing is indoors. And it’s $175.
Did I win?
.-= amy2boys´s last blog ..How To Get Boys Interested In Cooking =-.
yay for t-ball and all the super competitive parents…yikes
When the local baseball league has a “Parent Code of Conduct” everyone must sign when they register, you know it’s the WRONG place to play ball. Unless you are a super-competitive parent who must achieve through their own kids, then it’s the perfect place for you.
So glad we escaped baseball season this year. Whew!
.-= Heather, Queen of Shake Shake´s last blog ..This Isn’t a Real Post. Except the Part About My Vagin@ =-.
Excellent picture. I love the tint. Your take on what a four-year-old needs out of t-ball is right on, I think. I really enjoyed the way you wrote this, especially the last paragraph.
.-= Rebecca at Toothwhale´s last blog ..New job news =-.
$150? Drafts? Wow. That is a lot of pressure for a 4-year-old. The league and coach you found sound wonderful. I hope everyone enjoys the season.
.-= Tired Mom Tésa´s last blog ..Chevy Traverse – My New Dream Car (Post 1 in Series) =-.
150 BUCKS? Insanity!! Travesty!
SO glad you found a league that will work for you. Any coach who can appreciate how hilarious four-year-old ball players are is definitely a keeper.
.-= Bejewell´s last blog ..It’s Just Amazing I Haven’t Been Snatched Up as Somebody’s Life Coach Already =-.
$150 for t-ball? For 4 year olds? You have got to be kidding me! I love ball, some of my best memories are of playing ball when I was young, but it was fun because it wasn’t crazy. I’m not saying kids shouldn’t leave to compete, but I think 4 is a little young for that.
My daughter does soccer through the Boys and Girls Club. It’s totally non-competitive–no official score is kept! The coach encourages everyone to try different positions, learn the game, and have fun! I’m avoiding AYSO. I heard the peewee softball leagues are brutal–angry, stress parents, highly competitive, and tons of practice sessions each week. No thanks!
.-= Cheryl D.´s last blog ..Target and Trader Joe’s…More than just Stores =-.
Fun, it’s all about fun. And learning some skills on the way. But at 4 years old, it’s definitely the fun. And the times spent with Dad practising how to hit, and how to encourage and not be super-competitive.
Enjoy the process (and the coaching).
T-ball is the MOST HYSTERICAL sport you will ever watch. Make sure he knows which way to run the bases!
I guarantee there will be someone picking flowers in the field too! 
The local groups are the best. We have no drafts for t-ball, but from there on up there are drafts. And evaluations. But those are done to make sure that kids are in the group that is most appropriate for their abilities.
I hope he has fun!!!!
.-= Kristin´s last blog ..Easier =-.
That is so sweet.
I just signed up Quinn for t-ball. First season. We’ll see how he does. I have a feeling he’ll be better at musical stuff than sports stuff, but I’ve got to let him try things out…
.-= Cathy´s last blog ..Good Day =-.
i don’t love it when you make me cry. this post was super sweet. my husband doesn’t understand why our 3yo can’t catch a full sized football yet. hah. must be a guy thing.
.-= MommyNamedApril´s last blog ..Happy Birthday… and Guess Who’s Pregnant!!! =-.
Too cute! We were just talking the other day about my younger brother and t-ball (he’s now 27!) and how when he hit the ball he then ran around the bases and beat all his teammates to home plate. Then he found my mom in the stands and was so proud that he beat them all! Hilarious!
I’m thinking of signing my son up for gymnastics next fall. No competition (at least in a team way) and a way to get out all his energy…
Found you through Six Degrees of Blogging. This post is so cute. It’s nice that they offer a beginner type t-ball instead of the other options. Most kids just want to be involved and get a trophy. I love the photograph that you paired with it it. Did you edit it to make it look like that?
.-= Tiffany´s last blog ..Top 3 Thursday- I Confess =-.
Thanks!
I did edit it, the sunflare was already there, but I used the Soft Autumn Glow action from Coffeeshop Photography.
Love this! (fyi, i’d stumble it but I don’t yet have my SU tool bar installed on my new hard drive. trying to catch up after teh great hard drive crash of ’10. forgive?)
[...] Practicing T-ball http://playgroupsarenoplaceforchildren.com/2010/03/24/practice/ [...]
You have now officially joined the ranks of the Baseball Moms. Lord Help You Now…
4 year old T-ball is absolutely the best. The butterfly chasers are my favorite, right before the hole diggers.
.-= Melizzard´s last blog ..Blame Miley Cirus (again) =-.