The 2013 T-Ball baseball season is now under way at the Field of Dreams.
The division, which is organised by the Cayman Islands Little League Association, boasts 116 children, with a little more than half being first time players. Youngsters showed that extra little enthusiasm this past week in their new uniforms, sponsored this year by Butterfield Bank, CEL Distributors, Dart, Digicel, Maples, Scotiabank and Yellow Pages.
In Cayman, T-Ball is an important part of the Little League programme. It is where children are taught the basics of the game such as the rules of play, how to catch, throw, run, field the ball and how to hit. The game not only develops these skills but develops eye hand coordination, teamwork and teaches sportsmanship which is key at this early age.
The Little League association has a great volunteer coach base this year with many returning from last year. Little League struggles each year finding coaches to coach this segment as most move from division to division with their children.
Parents have been great and they really find out how much fun it is teaching children at this age. They are full of energy and willing to learn and play their hardest which makes coaching a little easier.
A recent game between Butterfield and Dart showed how girls are really taking to the sport. Coach Monette Windsor, who is a returning parent and coach, describes the last game as follows: “The crowd enthusiastically cheered for each batter as they stepped to the plate and every fielder who made a play. Although all of the players did fantastic on both teams, it was the four Butterfield girls that dominated the game.
“Mia Lansdell hit a monster home run into centre field. The crowd favourite, three-year-old Cosabella Windsor, had two hits down the third base line and enthusiastically ran around the bases. Jolie Brown showed excellent fielding technique and played half an inning at first base.
“Rio Windsor made a terrific play as catcher, throwing a runner out at first base. All the kids showed great sportsmanship, cheering their teammates on during the game.”
T-ball Division Coordinator Cheyenna Stewart knows that enthusiastic coaches really make the game fun and exciting for the kids. As a former T-ball coach, she says that, “without the volunteers we wouldn’t be able to have the league and our children wouldn’t have the opportunity to learn the game.
“I want to take the time to really thank them for giving up their Friday nights and Saturday mornings for practices and games. It is a huge commitment and we really appreciate them.”
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