Tee Ball
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Tee Ball is the registered name for a sport based on baseball and is intended as an introduction for young players to develop baseball skills and have fun.
Description
In Tee Ball there is no pitcher. Instead, the ball is placed on an adjustable tee atop home plate at a suitable height for the batter to strike. (In some clubs, adult coaches give the batter an opportunity to try and hit a few pitched balls before going to the tee in the hope that this will further develop batting skills.) Most of the other rules are similar or identical to those of baseball, though the game is played on a smaller field. Balls typically appear identical to baseballs but are slightly softer to reduce injuries. In many organizations, score is not kept, and an inning is completed once each child has had a turn at bat.
Tee Ball allows male and female players too young to participate in baseball to enjoy a game posing many of the same challenges, and to develop skills that will later be useful in playing baseball. It has become an important part of many baseball clubs, particularly in countries where there is no strong tradition of a sporting draft and where it is therefore more important for clubs to develop junior players.
History
A Tee Ball trademark was registered with the United States government by Dr. Dayton Hobbs in the early 1970's but the game's origins date back to at least the 1940's and 50's with several people claiming to be the father of the game. Even Dr. Hobbs has credited the United States Navy with spreading the game overseas. Several U.S. presidents since Ronald Reagan have hosted Tee Ball games on the South Lawn of the White House.
External links
- Playing Rules (http://www.geocities.com/teeballbaseball/play.htm)
- T•BALL USA Association (http://www.teeballusa.org)
- Tee Ball on the White House South Lawn (http://www.littleleague.org/media/teeballselection.asp)
- History of Tee Ball in America (http://www.wjtbc.com/history.html)
- Who Invented Tee Ball? (http://www.stpetersburgtimes.com/2005/04/06/Neighborhoodtimes/He_stakes_claim_as_te.shtml)