Is Blastball Necessary?

Published by Toronto Mike on May 8, 2007 @ 10:27 in Family

baseballI played tee ball as a kid, primarily at Rennie Park by Swansea. We started with tee ball and graduated to softball. I always assumed tee ball was the first step in baseball evolution, but it turns out there's a precursor.

James is playing blastball this summer. If you don't know what blastball is, you'll want to read this official explanation we parents received.

Blastball is a simplified version of baseball, designed to reduce waiting time and increase movement. Teams are kept small in number to allow supervision, reduce waiting times and increase repetitions of the fun stuff. A game has 3 teams. One team hits, one team fields and a third team works with instructors on skill development. The batting team takes turns hitting the ball off of a “T”. The batter runs to first base after hitting the ball. The base honks when it is stepped on. After hitting, running to the base and making it honk, the player lines up for another turn. After the hitting team has had 2 (ish) turns at bat, the teams rotate. The batting team goes to the instructors. The fielding team bats and the instructor team fields.

Players who master skills early are encouraged to join the Tballers, a level up.

I don't think blastball existed in my day. It seems a little unnecessary. How did tee ball becomes something you graduated into? When the heck did this happen?

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3 Responses to "Is Blastball Necessary?"

twins from bolton
May 8, 2007 / 20:17

Being a BBall coach for 8 years - 7 years in Rep & 1 year H/League,Blastball in Bolton is not given as a builder for any type of BBall. It's dangerous for 4 & 5 year olds. This is a Money grabbing opportunity in that most parents can do the same things - teach the kids to catch & hit the ball - coordination at that age. Tee ball will teach BASIC fundamentals of ball. Run to 1st when hit the ball, then to 2nd, etc. We have coaches on the field during tee ballgames instructing kids where to go & how to somewhat defense when the ball is hit.
Blastball is a waste of time & $ but if you haven't the time to play catch or have them hit your throws or spend time with your kids, Blastball is for you as someone else will show them the way.
twins from bolton
P.S. Blastball is not a sanctioned divsion of OBA (Ont. BBall Assoc.)

Toronto Mike
May 9, 2007 / 09:03

That's exactly what I was thinking. Blastball is BS!

Ron
June 4, 2008 / 15:14

You have missed the point. For kids who are athletic and can play LL Baseball or Rep ball, this may be a waste of time. However, there are a whole bunch of young (and I don't mean 7 and 8) players who just want to have FUN and not be told how to catch a ball and how to throw a ball and how to "pivot and turn 2" when they are 5 or 6. There are also a bunch of coaches and parents that are not delusional and think that their players will "make the Majors someday". Some kids just want to hit the ball and run. BlastBall is PERFECT for this. It is easy to add a bit of skill into the game as the players progress (another base, throw to a net after a catch, a throw to a coach, hit a coach pitch,... ). I have coached for 8 years and have returned to run our T-Ball program this year with my youngest. This is great.

It is also now recognized by Baseball Ontario.
http://www.baseballontario.com/Special_Programs/BlastBall/blastball.html

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