Tee Ball Skills Stations
A four-station circuit covering the basic skills of baseball and softball: hitting off a tee, fielding grounders, throwing at a target, and running the bases. Each group tries to beat its own score at every station before rotating.
How to play
- Form 4 groups of 6–7 and quickly demonstrate each station (3 min).
- Station 1, hitting: in pairs, one hits off the tee toward a wall or a coned area 30 ft away and the other fields; 5 swings, then switch.
- Station 2, grounders: in pairs 20 ft apart, one rolls the ball and the other fields it with two hands, knee close to the ground, then rolls it back; count clean pickups.
- Station 3, throwing: from 25 ft, throw overhand at a hoop hung on or leaning against the wall; each hit is 1 point for the group.
- Station 4, base running: leave home, touch the inside corner of each base, and come back home; time each student and try to beat it on the second run.
- Each station lasts 4 min; rotate clockwise on the whistle with 1 min to switch (21 min).
Rules
- Safety: at the hitting station only one person holds a bat, and the partner fields at least 12 ft from the tee.
- Wait your turn behind the starting cone at each station.
- Before rotating, set the equipment up for the next group.
Variations
Easier
Shorten throwing distances to 15 ft and swap the hoops for a chalk target on the wall.
Standard
Four 4-minute stations with distances of 20–30 ft.
Harder
At the grounder station, roll the ball to the side so the fielder must move before picking it up.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: run half the bases, and field grounders seated with balls rolled straight at them.
- Autism: put a picture card at each station showing the task and the number of reps.
- Skill level: offer bigger balls for throwing and fielding to students who need them.
Learning goals
- Practice the basic skills of baseball and softball one at a time.
- Set a personal goal at each station and check for improvement.
- Work as a group to rotate and take care of equipment.
Equipment for a class of 25
- batting tees: 3
- soft bats: 3
- soft balls: 12
- bases: 4
- hoops: 4
- cones: 12
Teacher tip
Stay near the hitting station, since it needs the most supervision. Station cards showing each group's previous score are a great motivator.
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