By Derek Thompson
The Selma Times-Journal

Many parents ventured for the first time into the world of T-ball this summer to get their children ready for organized baseball and softball later on down the road.

The point of t-ball is for the kids to learn the game, but parents and coaches learn some things too.

Darrel Davis, head coach of the Selma three-and-four-year -old players, said one of the most important things is seeing the children as a stress reliever at the CAP League game Monday evening at the Dallas County baseball complex.

“It’s fun for them and it’s fun for us,” Davis said.

“It’s a stress reliever because they are going to hit and do something crazy all the time. They might hit it and run to third base or hit it and run to momma, or just start crying. It’s just a stress reliever. Everything is fun and games. We don’t get down on them. We don’t fuss at them.”

It is important to be able find the humor in most things when you’re on the t-ball diamond. When you have learned that positions are loosely defined, not to expect a final score and the most important part of the day is the post-game snack, you are ready for your child’s first t-ball season.

Once your patience has been tested enough and you don’t take the game too seriously, that is when you will be able to appreciate the childrens’ progress.

“It’s great seeing them try and learn the game at such a young age,” Selma t-ball coach Phillip Peake said.

“I wish I would have had this chance when I was younger. It just helps them out in the long run to learn the game better. I just like watching them learn. It’s all about the kids and their progress throughout the year.”

Kanesha Carter said t-ball is something she is glad her daughter Abbigail Carter participated in this year because it made her interact with other kids and it was something to do besides gymnastics and dance classes.

“I like her being out with the kids just running around and being exposed to things other than just being in the house all summer,” Carter said.

“It kind of opens her up to different things.

The beginning started off a little rocky, but toward the end Abbigail started to get acquainted with everything, and she is a little better at running bases and actually knowing what to do.”