Franklin Grow-with-Me Batting Tee Review (2026): Great Idea, Weak Velcro

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Reviewed hereThe best first tee for toddlers, as long as you know where it wears out4.4★ · 18,435 ratings on AmazonCheck price on Amazon →

4.4★ · 18,435 ratings

The best first tee for toddlers, as long as you know where it wears out

The Franklin Grow-with-Me is a 2-in-1 batting tee for kids aged 3 and up. For the youngest hitters, a ball hangs from an arm on a self-stick (velcro) pad; as kids improve, you remove the arm and it becomes a normal tee. The set includes a 21-inch plastic bat and four balls.

It is the number one best seller in Amazon’s baseball training equipment, with more than 18,000 ratings and a 4.4★ average. Kids clearly love it. But durability, and the velcro in particular, are the biggest complaints. Here is the full picture.

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The short answer

What you get

Grow-with-Me Tee SetOur review pick. Hanging and traditional tee, 21″ bat, 4 balls.See it on Amazon →

Heavy Duty Tee (next step)4.5★. Sturdier rubber tee for older kids, 21″–38″ tall.See it on Amazon →

The set assembles to about 25.5″ × 25.5″ × 45.5″. The hanging tee holds the ball 18″ to 26″ off the ground; the traditional tee adjusts from 25″ to 36″.

Key specs

What 18,435 buyers say: the box score

Amazon groups review mentions by topic. Here is the Franklin Grow-with-Me Tee box score as of October 2026.

The takeaway: kids have fun and parents find it easy to set up, but durability and velcro wear are real. The mixed quality and value topics follow from how long the tee lasted for each family.

Why the hanging mode works

Toddlers struggle to hit a ball off a tee because the tee is a target too. A hanging ball moves when hit and sticks back on, so kids make contact more often and stay interested. That is why enjoyment (346) and fun (137) are top topics.

The velcro problem

The balls stick to the hanging arm with self-stick (velcro) pads. With lots of use, the hook side clogs with grass and lint and stops holding. Clean the pads with a stiff brush or comb, and keep the balls out of dirt to extend their life.

Durability

Durability (439 mentions) is the biggest negative. Plastic joints and the tee top can crack, especially if kids swing hard or the tee is left in the sun. It is built for small kids; once your child swings hard, move to a sturdier tee.

Franklin Grow-with-Me Tee vs the rivals

Franklin Grow-with-Me

Franklin Heavy Duty Tee

Tanner Tee

Franklin Pitching Machine

See more options in our best batting tees for kids and best batting tees guides.

Pros and cons

Who should buy it

Parents of 3- to 5-year-olds who want an easy, fun first tee with everything included.

Who should skip it

Parents of kids 6 and up, or anyone wanting a tee for serious practice. A heavy duty rubber tee is a better long-term buy.

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Setting it up

1. Snap the base and tube sections together (assembly is a positive topic with 153 mentions).
2. For toddlers, attach the hanging arm and set the ball at belly-button height.
3. For older kids, remove the arm and set the tee so the ball sits at about the top of the thigh.
4. Place it on flat ground, away from windows and siblings.
5. Stand the child so the tee is in front of the front hip.

Teaching a toddler to hit

• Grip: hands together, knuckles lined up, with the bigger hand on top.
• Stance: feet shoulder-width apart, side-on to the tee.
• Eyes: “watch the ball” until the bat hits it.
• Swing: step toward the ball and swing level.
• Keep it short: 10 to 15 minutes, then play catch or run the bases.

When to move to a regular tee

Once your child hits the hanging ball most of the time, switch to the traditional tee mode. When they start swinging hard, around age 6, or the plastic starts to wear, move up to a rubber tee like the Franklin Heavy Duty Tee, which adjusts from 21″ to 38″ and handles real swings. Serious young hitters often end up with a Tanner Tee, which is pricier but built to last for years.

Tips to make it last longer

• Store it in a garage or shed; sun makes plastic brittle.
• Brush the velcro pads clean every few sessions.
• Use only the included light balls and plastic bat.
• Take the hanging arm off when not in use.
• Check the joints before each use and tighten anything loose.

Grow-with-Me vs a pitching machine

Many parents choose between this tee and Franklin’s pitching machine. The tee is cheaper, simpler and better for learning a swing. The pitching machine adds timing and excitement but has more durability complaints. For a 3- or 4-year-old, start with the tee; add a machine later if your child loves hitting. Read our Franklin pitching machine review.

Our bottom line

With more than 18,000 ratings and the top spot in Amazon’s training equipment best sellers, the Grow-with-Me is the most popular first tee for a reason: the hanging mode makes hitting fun for toddlers. Buy it knowing the velcro and plastic wear out with heavy use, and plan to move to a sturdier tee around age 6.

Games that keep toddlers swinging

• Hit and run: after each hit, run to a cone and back.
• Color call: use different colored balls and call out which one to hit.
• Distance markers: place toys in the yard and see which one the ball reaches.
• Family turns: everyone gets three swings; cheer every contact.

Is it good for softball too?

Yes. The tee works the same for young girls starting softball. The included balls are plastic baseballs, but the swing basics are identical at this age. When a child moves to fastpitch, a heavier rubber tee and real softballs make sense.

What to add to the set

The set already includes a bat and balls. Extra balls help, since they roll under decks and into bushes. A soft kids glove like the Franklin Meshtek turns batting practice into a full game of catch and hit. Read our Meshtek glove review.

Why it tops Amazon’s best sellers

The Grow-with-Me hits a sweet spot for parents: it costs less than most toys, comes with everything in one box, and turns into a regular tee when the child is ready. That “grows with your child” promise, plus the hanging mode that toddlers can actually hit, explains why it sells more than any other baseball training product on Amazon. The durability complaints are real, but many families still feel they got good value from a season or two of daily backyard fun.

How we reviewed it

We did not test the Franklin Grow-with-Me Tee ourselves. This review is based on the Amazon listing and specs, the manufacturer’s information, Amazon’s review topic summary and what 18,435 verified buyers say, compared with similar products we cover. Ratings and mention counts are as of October 2026.