Posted by: ChrisJG (fitforlifechris@aol.com) on Wed Sep 25 15:47:34 2002

I'm beginning to work with a 4 yr. old and am interested in buying a training tool Ive seen advertised. It resembles a tetherball, it has 2 ropes connectedto the ball, it attaches to a pole and the baseball rebounds with every hit. If anyone knows where I can find it I'd sure appreciate it. Thanks
> > > > >
> > > > > I've seen them advertised on TV. Best thing for a four year old IMO is a light, small bat and some tennis balls. Nerf balls are also great for hitting indoors.
> > > > > When my boys were very young like that we'd play nerfball-derby in the living room all winter.
> > > > > Its all about tracking the ball and connecting. Keep the swing very simple, minimal instruction and just play and play. Let him learn himself because the most important thing he is learning is to get the bat and ball to the same place at the same time.
> > > > > Play with him. don't work with him.
> > > >
> > > > Great advice, That's what I'm looking for. The nerf balls will work great. Every time I PLAY with him he gets discouraged and doesnt have fun when he's missing the ball, So I'm looking for something really easy, to keep him interested. I figured with the tether-baseball he would swing enough to build up strength, and learn to keep his eye on the ball. I understand most of what is developed right now has nothing to do with a kids potential. I'm just looking to keep him interested and find an activity that we can perform together. Thanks again for your advice.
> > >
> > > "I understand most of what is developed right now has nothing to do with a kids potential."
> > > Actually, what you do now is incredibly important to his potential. The neural wiring of his brain and body is in a very formative, developing stage. He is not just learning, his body is growing stuff to help him adapt to what he is learning. From birth to about age 6, the child's body is still actively creating lots of inside stuff or modifying/adapting general brain areas for specific uses.
> > >
> > > Tracking a ball, catching it, hitting it, etc. is an incredibly complicated task. The body wires itself to do this through a massive amount of trial and error. If you learn this and master it at a young age, it becomes part of the fabric of the body and mind in a way that is simply not possible later in life. It is not unlike language acquisition.
> > > You really can't teach him this. You can provide the task/goal and the opportunity for him to experiment and learn and wire his body and mind. Lots of reps and lots of fun/play and he will figure it out.
> > > And in figuring it out, he will lock in something he will never lose. And it will make a difference in his long-run potential.
> > >
> > Folks
> >
> > Four years old and needs a training aid? Build strength? Sick. Very, very sick.
> >
> > Melvin
> > >
> Melvin-
> you guys are taking Chris's posts the wrong way...

You might say a four year old is too young. I dont think so if you laugh,play and have fun. Some of you may have had some bad childhood experiences, and I'm sorry for it. But some of the biggest highlights I had growing up were catching passes and hitting balls. If I can encourage my son to play outside, to throw and kick a ball rather than always watching cartoons or playing video games, I guess I'm a sick man. Tetherbaseball, I call it a training aid my son I'm sure would call it a toy. Now if my son doesnt care for one of my passions then we can always go out and fly a kite or chase leaves.