Definition: In this task, you will be given a short story. One sentence from the story is chosen. Consider the events that happen before that sentence, or are likely to have happened before it. Does any of them directly cause it, or simply make it possible? You should write your answer in the form " A >causes/enables> B". Try to use phrases and sentences from the story to compose your answer when possible.
Input: story: Ryan's dad was trying to teach him to hit a ball with a bat. He would throw the ball gently. Ryan would try to hit the ball. They did this for a long time. Finally, Ryan hit the ball high into the air.
 selected sentence: They did this for a long time.

Ryan and his dad start ball hitting practice >Causes/Enables> Ryan and his dad continue the practice