Kids Afraid To Hit

[starman]

This is my first year coaching 9U travel ball. I've been coaching rec, for 4 years, but since nobody wanted to step up I offered my time. The problem we're having is a carry over from the rec. season, the boys just wont stay in the box. Thier afraid of the ball. In rec the pitchers were wild and a few got hit or they found out how easy it is to walk. We just played in a local tournament over the weekend and I would say at least half of them stepped out. I've seen most of the boys hit before and know they can do it, but I need some drills to help stay up at the plate. Any help would be great.

[DaClyde]

As a failed former player who never made it past high school ball, I can confidently say that, unless they hit the batting cages on their own, players that age never get enough batting practice. And few are ever taught how to bunt.

That, and you might see if you can have someone throw them a few curveballs. The first time they see a good one, they'll all be bailing out of the box. But if they're ready for it, they might not think the ball is headed right for their head.

Maybe try to teach them something about bat control, so they're not thinking simply of flailing the bat across the plate hoping to hit something, but actually trying to put the ball somewhere. However, until they actually get the hitting time and can get confident actually making solid contact with the ball, they'll probably be satisfied with the occasional walk amid all those K's looking.

[Jake Patterson]

This is my first year coaching 9U travel ball. I've been coaching rec, for 4 years, but since nobody wanted to step up I offered my time. The problem we're having is a carry over from the rec. season, the boys just wont stay in the box. Thier afraid of the ball. In rec the pitchers were wild and a few got hit or they found out how easy it is to walk. We just played in a local tournament over the weekend and I would say at least half of them stepped out. I've seen most of the boys hit before and know they can do it, but I need some drills to help stay up at the plate. Any help would be great.
Unfortunately they needs to develop the confidence to get out of the way of a wild pitch while developing the mental fortitude to take a pitch. Not an easy task....

1. I would start with teaching the players how to avoid an errant pitch, by bringing the hands and bat to the chest and turning away from the pitch while dropping the head. I would start with tennis balls and then move to Incredaballs. Make a game of it.

2. From there I would use a hitting stick to get them used to swinging without stepping out. Do this at the plate so they understand their position and orientation to the plate.

3. Next - short toss straight on with tennis balls and then Incredaballs. Throw every third ball at them and see how they react.

4. Last- Back to baseballs. Short toss first - then regular BP

Hope this helps,
Jake

[TG Coach]

This is my first year coaching 9U travel ball. I've been coaching rec, for 4 years, but since nobody wanted to step up I offered my time. The problem we're having is a carry over from the rec. season, the boys just wont stay in the box. Thier afraid of the ball. In rec the pitchers were wild and a few got hit or they found out how easy it is to walk. We just played in a local tournament over the weekend and I would say at least half of them stepped out. I've seen most of the boys hit before and know they can do it, but I need some drills to help stay up at the plate. Any help would be great.

There aren't any drills to overcome the fear of a baseball. Some people will suggest throwing tennis and whiffle balls to practice gettting out of the way. They're still not hard baseballs and the kids know it.

Teach them the proper way to turn away from a pitch. Admit it will sting a little some of the time. Why lie to them. Tell them they won't be thinking about it after they get to first base. And don't overreact when kids get hit unless they go down in a heap.

If this doesn't work they won't become baseball players.

[starman]

Thanks for the input, next practice we'll start off with how to turn away from a pitch. I guess it's going to take some time and a lot of practice. They are a great group of kids and I just don't want to see any of them drop out because of this. Now that our REC. season has ended we'll have more time to work on these things.

[Richmond Hill Phoenix]

Thanks for the input, next practice we'll start off with how to turn away from a pitch. I guess it's going to take some time and a lot of practice. They are a great group of kids and I just don't want to see any of them drop out because of this. Now that our REC. season has ended we'll have more time to work on these things.One simpler drill that sometimes works is this: put a glove (or some other object) in the place where they are stepping out with their front foot. Then tell them not to step on the glove. They'll have to step forward.

I know that it's worked for some people.