Backyard Baseball Fun

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For children, a love of baseball often begins in a sandlot or in their own backyards. Teach your kids some basic baseball fun and enjoy the sport together!

What's not to love about a sport where you can sing "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" during the seventh inning stretch or snag a bag of peanuts tossed by a vendor in the stands? No wonder baseball is considered America's national pastime—it's one of the most relaxing and enjoyable games to watch, and great family fun!

Seeing a game in the big leagues can be big entertainment—but if you've got little kids with short attention spans, expensive tickets to major league games can be a risky proposition. Try looking for a minor league team, college or high school baseball games, or even your local little league for an afternoon of baseball fever. On the other hand, if you dream of warm-up drills and Ball Park franks on the grill, it's time for a neighborhood ballgame. Start by gathering the kids and heading to your backyard or a local park. Play a little catch, pepper and pickle, but keep in mind that it is game time the kids really crave.

Pass the Ball: Baby and Toddler Activities

While the older kids are busy with baseball, introduce your little one to balls. Designate a sturdy container to be his "ball box" and collect a variety of balls to store here, such as rubber balls, plastic wiffle balls, foam balls, small rubber footballs, a soft-sided baseball, etc. Let your child play with the balls and encourage him to throw the balls to you as if he is a little pitcher. Simple but fun, roll a ball to your baby; he will enjoy sitting straddle-legged across from you as you roll the ball back and forth. Brothers and sisters can enjoy this game, too.

Play ball toss with baby's favorite blanket. Spread the blanket on the floor and place a rubber ball in the middle of the blanket. Show your little one how to hold onto two corners of the blanket while you hold onto the other two. Lift the blanket off the floor, toss the ball up in the air, and catch it with the blanket—you're likely to get giggles and grins when you play this game. End playtime with a fun verse you can teach to your child.

A little ball,
A bigger ball,
A great big ball I see!
Now let's count them.
Are you ready?
One, two, three!