Bolingbrook Tee Ball Association | Doing It For The Kids Since 1972

Banner Rules

Tee-Ball Team Banners

The following are minimum guidelines that we ask each team to follow when preparing their team banners.

The banner should be constructed of cloth or plastic material, cardboard, tagboard, or other sturdy, lightweight, weather resistant material. The material used for the background of the banner should be the same color as the team's shirts, i.e. red shirts should have a red background, dark blue shirts should have a dark blue background, etc. The banner should be at least 2' in height and 3' in width, but no larger then 4' in height and 8' in width.

Banners should have a sleeve opening at the top or sides so that a stick or dowel rod may be inserted in the banner for carrying. Also, it should have ties attached at all 4 corners so it can be attached to the backstop at the tee-ball fields.

The team's name should be readily identifiable on the banner.

The banner cannot be professionally prepared.

Banners will be judged during the annual Tee-Ball Parade. Teams should proudly display their banners for the judges to see until their teams reaches the end of the parade route. In case of inclement weather, the judges will view the banners as teams arrive for pictures.

Congratulations and thank you for volunteering your time and efforts as a coach!! Here are some tips to get your season off on the right foot!

Head Coaches:
Recruit and contact your assistant coaches. Remember, you are allowed to choose/add 2 new coaches (and their players) to your team as "Rostered Assistants". You may recruit more parents from your assigned team to volunteer as additional coaches, which is highly recommended. "Rostered coaches must attend one of our coaching clinics for league certification. Additional coaches are encouraged to attend, but not required.

How do I get assistant coaches?
1) They can be assigned to your team by the league.
2) After you receive your team roster, you will also have the registration forms of each of the players. On those registration forms, some parents will have indicated that they will assist the team in coaching, umpiring, concession or otherwise. Ask the parents to help.

After you have decided on your coaches, organize a brief coaches meeting. At the meeting, decide as a group what the team coaching philosophies will be. Design a schedule that will work for the coaches. Designate responsibilities as the batting coach, defensive coach, base coaches, dug out coach, outfielder coach, scorekeeper, etc.

Promote, promote, promote!! Let every parent and coach on your team know they are invited to the coaches clinics and umpiring clinics!!

TEAM MEETING
Organize the team meeting before the first practice. You can hold the meeting at your home, or reserve the free meeting rooms at the local library, fire department or park district.

Agenda:
• introduce the coaches to the players and parents.
• discuss the team philosophy
• who will contribute on the team banner
• uniforms, parade and picture info
• team rules
• practice schedule and location (provide maps if needed).
• identify special needs, medical concerns
• set up car pools and phone tree

Practices:
• Average 60 - 90 minutes , 3 times a week before opening day games start, then twice a week when games begin.
• Have specific goals in mind BEFORE practice.
• In the first week, get to know kids my name and spend time assessing skills.
• Second week begin trying players at positions.
• Always dedicate portions of practice to team drills on fundamentals like base running and fielding
• Break the kids and coaches up into at least 2 squads and never leave kids sitting or standing around too long.
• Always have ice-packs, water and medical release forms at practice and games.
• Stress parent attendance and participation at practices.

Games:
• Begin with a plan!!! The more organized the team is, the more playing time everyone gets!!!
• Assign a team mom or dug-out coach to keep players ready to take the field, sit or to bat.
• Have your batting order ready before the game.
• If players have to sit an inning, know who and when before the game!!
• Hand out a "game ball" (or 2) after each game to recognize players for achievement, effort or improvement!! (And make sure each player receives at least one by season's end!!)

Word to the wise: "Ask for help!!" The more help you receive, the more you and your team will enjoy this experience!!

Books, Videos & Equipment

HOLY COW!!! Our league president, Carl Crooks, is famous!!

Our fearless leader has been quoted in a new teeball coaching book : The Baffled Parents Guide to Coaching Tee Ball!! This book comes highly recommended for serious coaches who are looking for that extra edge in coaching excellence!!

The Baffled Parents Guide to Coaching Tee BallBook Description:
Each spring, Tee-ball introduces millions of boys and girls to "America's pastime" --and introduces their parents to the joys (and nightmares) of coaching first-time players. Filled with expert advice and tips on creating order from chaos, Coaching Tee-Ball is the solution to every baffled parent's predicament, offering the new coach a total approach to keeping kids involved, motivated, and having fun.

From the Back Cover:
"I love this book and will recommend to all my future coaches." - Carl Crooks, President, Bolingbrook (Illinois) Tee Ball Association

"It is great to see a book on tee ball that covers all the aspects of the game and how to run a team." - Carl Crooks, President, Bolingbrook (Illinois) Tee Ball Association

 

The 59 Minute Baseball Practice

The #1 Selling Baseball Video on Amazon.com

The 59 Minute Baseball PracticeThe video is informative, coherent, and easy to follow as it instructs on 34 drills. The video, whose length is 34 minutes long, introduces each drill systematically. Every drill starts with a picture of a baseball diamond with icons representing each player and their initial position. This intuitive presentation makes it easy for both the parent and coach to teach and use with his or her players.

The video's content is geared towards youth coaches, parents, and school coaches. It's use will make practices more interesting and enjoyable for both the player and the coach.

The T-BALL USA Video Library
We do have a full set of these videos available to loan out to those involved in the league, for a $20 deposit. Call Carl Crooks for the videos and more details at 630-739-4308.