No one knows who actually exactly invented the game of T-ball. But many credit Sacharski for popularizing it in his hometown of Albion, Wisconsin where he was teacher and coach. It is said that here in Albion is where it was first played as an organized sport.
US Rep. Nick Smith even offered a tribute to Jerome Sacharski for his contributions:
“After he started teaching, Jerry took it upon himself in 1954 to head up the Albion recreation department’s summer baseball program,” Smith said at the time. “Because of this position, he was able to see the lack of opportunity for younger children that two years later would drive him to develop one of the largest innovations in youth sports.”
T-ball is similar in so many ways to baseball yet made simpler for younger kids by giving them a fighting chance to hit the ball by hitting a ball off a tee rather than a thrown ball. Today, millions of boys and girls play the game which emphasizes fairness and education of the game over competition.
So for all the parents (and for that matter, kids who have grown up) out there going back all those years, I say thanks Mr Sacharski. That tee made it sooo much easier to hit.
I remember my brother umpiring little league games between 7 & 8 year olds, before the tee-ball, the games took so long, three hours, at least. Walks & strikeouts were all the rage, hardly ever was a baseball actually hit.