Safe Batting: The On-Deck Circle and Bat on the Ground

Tee-batting stations built around safety: the batter's box, the on-deck circle and putting the bat down. Students police the rules themselves with cards.

How to play

1. Teacher demo: the batting area, an on-deck circle with a hoop about 8 m behind and to the side, a cone line for fielders, and a hoop where the bat goes down (4 min).
2. Six stations of five: batter, next hitter in the on-deck circle and three fielders behind the cone line. After hitting, the batter sets the bat in the hoop and runs five meters (6 min).
3. Two monitors per station get a green and a red card: they show red if someone throws the bat, leaves the on-deck circle or crosses the line (5 min).
4. Rotate roles: everyone takes a turn as batter, on deck, fielder and monitor (3 min).
5. Wrap-up: each station shares the rule that was hardest to follow (2 min).

Rules

• Only the person in the batting area holds the bat; the next hitter waits in the hoop.
• After hitting, set the bat down in the hoop; never fling it.
• Nobody chases a ball until the batter has put the bat down.
• All stations hit toward the same side of the schoolyard.

Variations

Adaptations

• Deaf or hard-of-hearing students: the start and end of each turn is shown by raising the green card.
• Students with limited mobility: bat seated on a chair or from a wheelchair with the tee at the right height, with a partner running for them.
• Students nervous about the bat: start as monitors and bat when they feel ready.

Learning goals

• Know and follow batting safety rules.
• Monitor rules respectfully.
• Hit off a tee with control.

Equipment for a class of 25

• plastic bats: 6
• batting tees: 6
• softballs (soft): 18
• cones: 36
• hoops: 12
• green and red cards: 12

Teacher tip

No tees? A tall cone with a short piece of tube on top works. Set the stations in a fan, all facing a wall or fence, so no ball ever crosses into another station.

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