Batting Practice
Submitted by Cathi Ertl on February 11, 2004

Size: 5 or more

Equipment: Balloon or Punch Ball, Lg. inflatable bats or swimming noodles cut into thirds, baseball hats

Objective: hand/eye coordination, social, and upper body strength/movement

Description: Gather group into circle, pass out hats and bats. Have everyone sing ""Take Me Out To The Ball Game"" I spend the first part individually pitching the balloon to each person w/3 pitches. After the ""7th Inning Stretch"" I just let them bat the balloon around to each other. Have fun with it! I usually add comments like ""swing badda badda swing"" This works well with a variety of functioning levels. I use it with Alzheimer/Dementia and even the residents w/lower functioning levels accomplish it.