Getting your school ready for Softball or T-Ball
Taking a Softball or T-Ball team or running sessions in your HPE class can be a bit daunting if you're not familiar with the sports.
With a little bit of knowledge and preparation, these sports can be simple, and offer huge benefits:
- Can be played by kids of all abilities
- Requires strategy which is great for building confidence and team work
- Individuals can excel within a team
- Uses many different skills that engage the whole body like batting, running, catching, fielding and throwing
- There are many variations that can engage a whole class, or be played with smaller groups
The Softball Victoria participation team visit hundreds of schools in a year to assist with T-Ball &/or Softball programs and one of the most concerning things we see is the equipment being used.
What's wrong with the current equipment status?
- Firstly it should be noted that Victoria are the only state to have adopted FULLY LOADED SLOWPITCH SOFTBALL into the state school sport system, so we have different needs to the rest of Australia which means many pre-made kits often have equipment that isn't required
- Gloves can be the wrong amount, wrong type or not enough. Many don't offer gloves for Left Hand Throwers!
- They may include a full catchers set when the only mandatory piece of equipment for both T-Ball and Softball for the SSV Primary competitions is a catcher's helmet (other associations may be different)
- A catcher's mit or 1st base mitt are also not required for Primary T-Ball or Softball, and rarely required for Secondary, therefore a regular glove can be used by these fielders.
- We see many of the wrong size balls in equipment sheds - SSV Primary competitions use an 11" softcore (Reduced Injury) Softball for both games
- Often the white rubber balls are provided, these are not what's used at the competition level are are usually not softcore (or they lose their cushioning very quickly), so less safe
- SSV Year 7 & 8 competitions also use the 11" softcore ball but are playing the traditional version of the game, which requires the full catcher's gear
- SSV Intermediate and Senior competitions use the 12" regular softball
- Softball or T-Ball bats require a bat grip, many bats don't have these which makes them dangerous
- A lot of the bats available to purchase are far too heavy for Primary school students
- The bases used are too thin and can't be seen in the grass, or they're too light and slide under your feet when you step on them, which makes them dangerous
To help combat this and make it easier for teachers to trust what you are buying is what you need, we've put together a range of options to provide exactly what you need at every level of play.
Our objectives for creating this shop are simple:
- To provide exactly what you need for your school sport competitions at every age / level
- We help you avoid purchasing things that will take up space in your equipment shed or office and never get used
- To help you save money by offering quality products at great prices
Our kits offer everything you need to get your team on the field:
PRIMARY - Year 5/6 Softball AND T-Ball
- 15 x Fielding Gloves - 12 x RHT, 3 x LHT) in combination of 11" & 12" which your players won't grow out of
- 12 x Easton 11" Reduced Injury Balls
- 5 x Batting Helmets - one for each base runner, one for the batter and one for the batter waiting 'on deck'. You can choose from a selection of 5 colours to match your school uniform
- 2 x Fielding Masks - great for protecting your pitcher / infielders from hard hit balls
- 2 x Easton Bats - 30" & 31" sizes, which are the perfect length and weight for this age
- 1 x Catchers Helmet - the only compulsory protective item for catchers in Primary T-Ball and Softball
- 1 x Folding Tee - used for both games and great for hitting practice
- 1 x Set of Bases - includes home plate, safety base, 3 regular bases & pitcher's plate. These won't move around during your game
- 1 x Strikezone mat for Fully Loaded Slowpitch Softball
- 1 x Kit bag that holds everything.
- ONLY ONE KIT REQUIRED FOR SOFTBALL AND T-BALL
BUY NOW
SECONDARY - Year 7 & Year 8 Softball
- 15 x 12" Fielding Gloves (12 RHT, 3 LHT)
- 12 x Easton 11" Softballs
- 5 x Batting Helmets - one for each base runner, one for the batter and one for the batter waiting 'on deck'. You can choose from a selection of 5 colours to match your school uniform
- 2 x Fielding Masks - great for protecting your pitcher / infielders from hard hit balls
- 2 x Easton Bats - 30" & 31" sizes which are the perfect length and weight for this age
- 1 x Catchers Set - helmet, chest protector and leg guards
- 1 x Folding Tee - great for hitting practice
- 1 x Set of Bases - includes home plate, safety base, 3 regular bases & pitcher's plate. These won't move around during your game
- 1 x Kit bag that holds everything.
BUY NOW
SECONDARY - Intermediate & Senior Softball (Yer 9 to 12)
- 15 x 12" Fielding Gloves (12 RHT, 3 LHT)
- 12 x Easton 12" Softballs
- 5 x Batting Helmets - one for each base runner, one for the batter and one for the batter waiting 'on deck'. You can choose from a selection of 5 colours to match your school uniform
- 2 x Fielding Masks - great for protecting your pitcher / infielders from hard hit balls
- 2 x Easton Bats - 32" & 33" sizes which are the perfect length and weight for this age
- 1 x Catchers Set - helmet, chest protector and leg guards
- 1 x Folding Tee - great for hitting practice
- 1 x Set of Bases - includes home plate, safety base, 3 regular bases & pitcher's plate. These won't move around during your game
- 1 x Kit bag that holds everything.
BUY NOW
Head to the Softball Vic online shop to view a range of other equipment options at great prices.
Resources:
Softball Victoria PDs for Teachers, Coaches, Parent Helpers and Umpires (search for T-Ball for Primary Schools & Fully Loaded Softball for Primary Schools)
The Softball Batter Up Website contains an library of Softball and T-Ball activities to assist you to run fun and engaging lessons. Sign up for your free account to access the resources.
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