Tee Ball Zone Hitting

In groups of five, students hit a soft ball off a tall cone and send it into scoring zones while teammates field and return it. The activity builds striking with a bat, batting stance, and fielding batted balls.

How to play

1. Set up five stations: a tall cone or batting tee with a ball on top (or a small cone stacked on a big one) and three zones marked with cones at 15, 30, and 45 feet (1, 2, and 3 points) (3 min).
2. Teach the swing: side to the field, feet apart, hands together on the handle, eyes on the ball, and hips turn on contact (2 min).
3. Each group has a batter, a helper who sets the ball, and three fielders standing more than 15 feet from the bat.
4. Each batter takes 3 swings, adds up the points for where the ball lands, and sets the bat down in the hoop on the ground; then everyone rotates one position (12 min).
5. Fielders return the ball to the helper by rolling it or with a low toss, never throwing it at the batter.
6. Final round (5 min): the group totals its points, and a fielder who catches the ball before it bounces cancels that hit.

Rules

• Only the batter enters the batting circle; everyone else waits outside the marked area.
• Never throw the bat: set it down in the hoop after swinging.
• No one approaches the batter until the bat is on the ground.
• Always rotate positions in the same order.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: the student bats seated with the tee at waist height and a short bat.
• Visual impairment: use a brightly colored ball or one with a bell, and the helper guides the student's hands to the ball before the swing.
• Lower skill level: the student may strike the ball with an open hand instead of the bat.

Learning goals

• Hit with a side-on stance and hip rotation.
• Direct a batted ball toward a zone.
• Follow bat safety rules and rotate roles.

Equipment for a class of 25

• soft bats: 5
• soft balls: 15
• cones: 25
• hoops: 5

Teacher tip

Mark the batting circle with chalk or a hoop and make sure no one steps in; it's the key to keeping this safe. Space the stations well apart and have them all face the same direction.

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