HAJBA T-Ball Frequently Asked Questions

Question 1 :

How much is the T-Ball Registration Fee for the Spring/Summer Season?

Answer: The Fee for the Spring/Summer season (5-6 years old) is $120. This fee represents a good value.

Question 2 :

What clothing will my child receive as part of the registration fee?

Answer: A child registered for T-ball will receive the following:

(1) Baseball hat

(1) Baseball shirt

(1) Baseball pants

(1) Pair of baseball socks

 Question 3 :

What equipment will be provided by the league for use during games and practices?

Answer: The following equipment will be available for use during games and practices: Batting Helmets, Baseballs, Batting Tee and Baseball Bat.

Question 4:

Is there any other equipment I should consider purchasing for my child?

Answer: Yes.

Below is a list of items:

Protective Cup

Baseball Bat specific to the size of your child

Batting Glove

Baseball Glove

Question 5:

What guidelines should I use when determining what size/type bat to buy?

Answer: If purchasing a bat, it will need to be aluminum for use in our league. It should also be specified as a T-ball bat. It should be of a length of between 24 inches and 26 inches. The taller your child is, the taller their bat should be. The most common length for a Tee ball player is a 25 inch bat. The weight of a bat can vary as well. The lighter a bat is, the easier it will be for your child to control the bat and swing it effectively. And Of course, the lighter a bat is, the more it’s going to cost. T-ball bats start at around $20.

Question 6:

What guidelines should I use in determining what size baseball glove to purchase for my child?

Answer: Kids under 8 years of age should consider gloves in the 9 to 11 inch range. Especially search for a flexible glove. Nothing is more frustrating to a young player than having a ball fall out of their glove because they aren’t able to close the glove. Glove oils are sold which help soften new gloves and make them easier to close as well. Your child’s hand should fit comfortably into the glove. You can expect to pay between $15 and $45 dollars for a baseball glove, depending on the quality.

Question 7:

How important is it that my child attends practices?

Answer: It is very important for your child to arrive at practices on time and attend as many as they can. It is during the practices that the skills needed to become a good ball player and enjoy the games are learned. At this age especially, repetition of specific drills helps to build their confidence and understanding of the game.

Question 8:

Can I assist the managers and coaches during games and practices?

Answer: The Howell Area Junior Baseball Association is an all volunteer organization. The league, specifically T-ball, relies heavily on the involvement of parents during games and practices. At this age group, children tend to have a shorter attention span, and often require encouragement/motivation from their parents to keep their heads in the game. From my experience, managers/coaches at this age level welcome the involvement of parents at many different levels. They may ask you to assist with coaching a base, catching behind home plate, or being out in the field with the kids to encourage and motivate them to play their best. Don’t hesitate to ask the manager/coach to assist them when you’re available to do so. Also understand that there may be situations where the coach has enough helpers for a specific game or practice. But by offering to assist, you are letting the coach know that for future needs, you would be more than willing to help. If your schedule allows, you should consider managing a team yourself next year. It’s a wonderful experience and allows you to give back to the community in a way that words can’t describe.

Question 9:

When does the T-Ball Season Begin and end? And where are games played?

Answer: Practices for the T-ball season normally begin in April and the season runs through the end of June. Normally there will be 6 practices, and approximately 10 games played during this time period. T-Ball Games and Practices will take place at Northwest Elementary which is located at 1233 Bower Street in Howell Michigan .

Question 10:

What is the difference between the 5 year old T-ball program and the 6 year old T-ball program?

Answer: In 5 year old T-ball, each child hits the ball strictly from a Tee. In 6 year old T-ball, the team coach pitches 3 pitches to each batter. If the batter is unable to hit any of the pitches thrown by the coach, the ball will be placed on to a Tee for the child to hit. That is the primary difference between our 5 year old and 6 year old T-Ball programs.