Toronto Mike

Is Blastball Necessary?

baseball

I 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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