Hitting and Hitters Discussion Any suggestions on overcoming fear of the ball?

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We are having a problem with our 11-year old daughter being afraid of the ball. This is not only while she's at the plate, but in the field as well. It is affecting her whole attitude towards the game. She keeps saying that she wants to play, but she doesn't have the appearance of wanting to play while she's on the field (not paying attention and lack of hustle). She just doesn't look like she wants to be there, but she keeps insisting that she does! Any suggestions on helping her overcome this fear would be greatly appreciated.

 

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Re: Any suggestions on overcoming fear of the ball

I coached a high school team last spring with a number of new players. With the NE Ohio weather, if forced us to practice inside for the first 3 weeks. We used incrediballs(soft softballs) and it was actually a great benefit for the players in a similar situation.

Dan

For hitting, you could throw her the jugs lite flight balls. These balls are a huge confidence builder because they explode off the bat when you hit them.

 

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Re: Any suggestions on overcoming fear of the ball

My daughter showed signs of being afraid of the ball when she was younger. One of the biggest signs was that she was backing away from the ball and trying to reach for the ball.

She isn't that way any more. A large part of her overcoming the fear was a lot of time and practice with the ball. We would work with her away from her team and help her to remember the proper way to field a ball. It took a long time, but eventually she began to field the ball correctly and in a natural way.

 

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Re: Any suggestions on overcoming fear of the ball

My daughter also went through this. She would let it drop in front of her, pick it up and throw it in, but we couldn't get her to catch the ball for anything. She was lucky enough to have two fall ball coaches (this was right after T-Ball and her first time with coach pitch) who helped. Back then she wanted to be number 11. They hit the ball and every time she missed the number on her jersey was to go up a number and when she started catching it they could work their way back down to her number. She was at 113 before she started her way down and they had spent over two weeks working with her. She is lucky enough to now have one of those fall ball coaches as one of her travel coaches. Her view on catching the ball has changed over the years, due in part to the patience of two very dedicated coaches and hours of hard work. With us it helped having someone else work with her. Maybe working for her number was motavation, but I also think she wanted to do it for the coaches who had worked so hard with her.

 

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Re: Any suggestions on overcoming fear of the ball

You need to have your daughter watch the movie Happy Gilmore with Adam Sandler. He demonstrates a drill in the batting cages that worked wonders with my daughters!! - LOL

 

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Re: Any suggestions on overcoming fear of the ball

;DThat Happy Gilmore thing worked for all my kids. ;D LOL

 

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Re: Any suggestions on overcoming fear of the ball

base - she might be telling you she wants to play because she thinks that is what you want, while she really is scared and does not want to play.

 

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Re: Any suggestions on overcoming fear of the ball

I agree with Ohio Rays. Softball is not for everyone. Let her do something that she has fun participating in!

 

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Re: Any suggestions on overcoming fear of the ball

Laying the jokes aside for a minute. ?Maybe she is doing softball just for you or maybe an older sister. ?Have you tired to introduce her to another sport? ?Maybe if you work another sport in gradually, and phase out the softball she won't feel like she let anyone down with the softball thing, so to speak. ?I'd like all my girls to play softball but one day they might not want to do it any longer and I've got to deal with that. :'( ? I just hope they don't want to play the other "S" word. ?

 

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Re: Any suggestions on overcoming fear of the ball

I agree very much that softball isn't for everyone. I have had several talks with her explaining that if she does not want to play that it's okay...........I explained that we would be disappointed to some degree, but ultimately we want her to do what makes her happy. She also participates in basketball which will be starting very soon. This isn't as competitive though.....it's only a 5th grade "so called" travel team playing other schools in the area. (It should also be said that her father does not coach this sport, but he does help coach her fastpitch travel team). Thanks for all your suggestions.

 

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Re: Any suggestions on overcoming fear of the ball

Just a thought, maybe she likes playing softball but possibly not at the level of travel. Travel ball is very demanding and requires alot mentaly and emotionaly not to mention the physical part. Some girls have the skills for this level but not the rest. Some girls are content to do the "local" level or "t-shirt" league. They enjoy playing but with close friends and alot less pressure.
Travel ball is not for everyone, and Rec league has it place also.