Tee-ball · Printable practice plan
45-minute Tee-ball first practice
A simple first practice: learn names, find the bases, field soft grounders, and hit off a tee.
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Pack the bag
- Tees and age-appropriate bats
- Batting helmets
- Soft training balls
- Cones and throw-down bases
- Water
Set up before players arrive
Mark separate hitting, fielding, and running areas. Keep waiting players behind the hitter and clear of all ball paths. Assign one adult to each group. Teach the stop signal before handing out equipment.
Bring this to the field
Your practice, minute by minute.
Names and team signal
Learn names. Have each player share a favorite food. Practice the stop signal with equipment down, then walk the bases.
Say it simply: “We help each other learn.”
Move like a ballplayer
Jog between cones, balance on each foot, and get into ready position. Rehearse picking up a ground ball without a ball.
Say it simply: “Bend your knees. Eyes toward the ball.”
Three stations · 6 minutes each
Make three groups. Rotate every six minutes: three tee swings per turn, adult-rolled soft grounders, and home-to-first running. Keep runners spaced out and the hitting area supervised.
Say it simply: “Hit it, find it, run to first.”
Water and reset
Stop all activity for water. Ask players to point to first base and show ready position.
Say it simply: “Water is part of practice.”
Everyone gets a turn
Play a tee inning with soft balls. An adult controls the bat between turns. Fielders stop the ball and look for a ready target. Give everyone a turn; skip the score.
Say it simply: “Look before you throw. Listen before you run.”
Celebrate one thing
Ask each player what they tried. Recognize a helpful teammate and finish with a cheer.
Say it simply: “Trying something new counts.”
Make it work for your team
- Two adults: run two supervised stations, then run bases together. Never leave hitting unattended.
- If attention drops, shorten the activity or repeat a favorite.
- Use a larger soft ball or adjust the tee when contact is difficult.
What success looks like
Players can find first base, try a tee swing, and follow the stop signal.
Ask before the team cheer
“What was your favorite thing to try today?”
Before you take the field
Follow your league’s equipment, supervision, weather, and player-safety requirements. Separate hitting and throwing lanes, keep waiting players clear, and pause for water or conditions as needed. Stop throwing when a player reports pain. Pitching work must fit that player’s workload, required rest, and eligibility across all teams—not just this practice.
Additional official resources: Little League coaching resources and MLB Pitch Smart guidelines. These original example plans are independent of those organizations.
The Dugout Dad™ · thedugoutdad.com/coachs-corner/tee-ball-first-practice