BLASTBALL PROGRAM

 This year Hastings Community Little League has included four year olds into our T-Ball program. With the inclusion of registering four year olds, a new program called Blastball is being introduced.

 How The Game Is Played

 Blastball players take the field much like in a regular T-Ball game with the defensive players taking an infield or outfield position. In Blastball, the Blastbase is the only base used and placed at the first base location.

 In the game of Blastball, the ball is placed on the tee and the first batter hits the ball and runs to the Blastbase. If the batter reaches the base before a defensive player either catches the ball in the air, or fields the ball and yells BLAST, the batter is safe. If the ball is caught or fielded and BLAST is yelled by the defensive player before the runner gets to the Blastbase, then the runner is out. At the end of each play, the ball is thrown back to the coach, or player at home plate. Much like T-Ball, in Blastball the emphasis is on the play at first and the play at home. You end the half inning by going through the entire batting order.

 The appeal of Blastball in the younger player is the load honking sound the base makes when the player stomps on it. This sound alone will encourage the players to make plays as a defensive player, or run faster as the batter in order to stomp on the base and make the HONK.

 In Blastball there is no need for gloves as the Blastball is soft. The softness of the ball will also eliminate the fear factor of being hit by the ball. Helmets however, are still required for safety reasons.

 Blastball provides an exciting entry level of play for those youngsters who will then move on to play within higher divisions. Blastball teaches all of the basic fundamentals of the game of baseball such as, fielding, hitting, catching, throwing and running. It accomplishes this in a fun and exciting way, with continuous action and simple to follow rules.

 The size of the Blastball teams will be a maximum of five and no less than three, with a one hour, game time limit.

 Our T-Ball program will consist of two divisions:

 Blastball - this division will be made up of mostly 4 and 5 year olds who are playing baseball for the first time.

T-Ball - this division will consist of 5 and 6 year olds who have previous baseball experience or require a higher level of play.

 T-Ball Co-ordinator – Zoe Krickan