Teammate-Pitch Softball: Your Own Team Pitches to You

Adapted softball where a teammate pitches, trying to help the batter make contact, and after three tries the batter hits off a tee. The pitcher's goal flips from fooling an opponent to helping a teammate.

How to play

1. Set up two diamonds with 15 m sides and teams of seven (4 min).
2. Rules: the pitcher is from the batting team and pitches underhand, slow and arcing; after three pitches with no contact, the batter hits off a tee; the defense puts a fielder next to the pitcher to cover that spot (4 min).
3. First half: the inning ends after three outs or once the whole team has batted (12 min).
4. Second half with roles switched; a different teammate pitches each inning (12 min).
5. Reflection: what makes a good teammate pitcher? How did batting feel? (3 min).

Rules

• No strikeouts: every batter ends up hitting, either a pitch or off the tee.
• The teammate pitcher steps aside as soon as the ball is released.
• The bat goes in the hoop before running.
• Outs: a fly ball caught, a fielder with the ball stepping on the base before the runner, or a gentle tag with the ball in hand.

Variations

Adaptations

• Students with low vision: a large bright ball pitched with one bounce.
• Students with limited mobility: hit off the tee seated with a partner running for them.
• Less experienced students: choose to start straight off the tee.

Learning goals

• Hit a pitched ball.
• Pitch to help a teammate succeed.
• Play without embarrassing anyone who misses.

Equipment for a class of 25

• plastic bats: 2
• batting tees: 2
• softballs (soft): 6
• bases: 8
• hoops: 2

Teacher tip

Many US youth leagues use coach pitch, and here students take that role. If a teammate pitcher is struggling, let them move two steps closer.

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