default
Member
Re: Swing at the first pitch or go deep in the cou
I taught my DD at a very young age (4 or 5) to be a very selective hitter. This paid huge dividens (OBP>.950) early on when pitchers couldn't consistently throw strikes. As she got into 12u, now 14u, it has been difficult to make her more aggressive at the plate. It took us the better part of last season to change the mindset, but now with her thinking more aggressively and the keen-eye she develped earlier from being selective, she is back in the groove. I guess it is going to be different with everyone, but I am glad I took the approach I did when she was young.
As far as pitch count V. hitting: I find the first pitch to be fat most of the time unless the pitcher is struggling. I also like to see my girls work a pitcher and get into her head. I have seen girls that were throwing great just melt down because of one at bat. Make a pitcher throw 8 or 9 pitches to a batter, then have her get a hit or walk. Have the batters enter the warm-up circle and box with attitude, knowing they can hit anything the pitcher throws at them. Make your hitters fear looking at strike three, better to go down swinging. Just my $.02.
Happy Holidays All!!!!
I taught my DD at a very young age (4 or 5) to be a very selective hitter. This paid huge dividens (OBP>.950) early on when pitchers couldn't consistently throw strikes. As she got into 12u, now 14u, it has been difficult to make her more aggressive at the plate. It took us the better part of last season to change the mindset, but now with her thinking more aggressively and the keen-eye she develped earlier from being selective, she is back in the groove. I guess it is going to be different with everyone, but I am glad I took the approach I did when she was young.
As far as pitch count V. hitting: I find the first pitch to be fat most of the time unless the pitcher is struggling. I also like to see my girls work a pitcher and get into her head. I have seen girls that were throwing great just melt down because of one at bat. Make a pitcher throw 8 or 9 pitches to a batter, then have her get a hit or walk. Have the batters enter the warm-up circle and box with attitude, knowing they can hit anything the pitcher throws at them. Make your hitters fear looking at strike three, better to go down swinging. Just my $.02.
Happy Holidays All!!!!
