Wacky-To-Batty

[20 Minutes]

A whiffle ball and bat and a low hanging branch are all you need to hold a wacky batting practice in your own backyrad. No chasing the ball - no pitcher needed - just you and your bat and ball that 's hanging from a tree branch! Swing away at your hanging whiffle ball to experience the challenge of hitting it as many times as you can in one minute. Do you think it's easy? Let's see how fast and how accurate you can be!

You'll need:

• 1 whiffle ball • 1 whiffle bat • one low hanging branch • twine or strong string • stopwatch or egg timer

What to do:

1. If possible, print out these directions. Read them through with your child.
2. Together, with your child, gather everything you'll need.
3. Explain to your child that the object of the game is to try to hit the hanging whiffle ball as many times in one minute as you can. Point out to him that it is a great exercise in speed and precision for baseball or softball practice. It's also just a lot of fun to see how much he can improve in one session as his muscles learn to react or act more quickly.

How to play:

1. Together, pick your batting area. Make sure the branch is high enough to hang the ball from - and high enough for you to take a turn or two. Practice swinging to be sure there is free air space without obstacles.
2. Help your child hang the ball by tying the string to the branch and stringing through the whiffle ball. Make sure all knots are secure. Let your child practice hitting the ball.
3. Set the timer for one minute.
4. Challenge your child to set his stance and get ready to hit!
5. On "Go!" your child will hit the ball as many times as he can in one minute. If the ball gets hung up - do not stop the timer. Help to free the ball and quickly resume.
6. Note how many times he accurately hit the ball.
7. Let him try again.
8. Now it is your turn to try!

Let's Talk: Ideas to Explore Together.

• Was it difficult to hit the ball the first time?
• How about the second and third times? Why?
• Did you feel that you improved as the wacky batting progressed? Why?