Practitioners of America’s pastime at the youth level are often criticized for encouraging kids to dream big when they have little chance of playing professionally unless they have great ability. But working on baseball and softball skills can teach kids the importance of such social values as effort, competition, sacrifice, work ethic, teamwork, desire, discipline, confidence, hustle, sportsmanship, and having fun.
Written for coaches, this work presents approximately 150 baseball games and activities for elementary age kids that focus on teaching, improvement of skills, and enjoyment. Sections are broken down into the following topics: baserunning, bunting, catching, fielding, hitting, throwing, and pitching. Each section begins with a brief review of the fundamentals, and then introduces creative skills and drills that can be practiced as a group. For each activity, the age group for which it is appropriate, its objective, the equipment required, and the rules are specified. Also covered are the essentials involved with directing a camp, clinic, practice, or physical education class.
