Hitting and Hitters Discussion Timid in the box???

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My DD is in her second year of 10U. Last year she got playing time but was timid in the batters box. I figured it was immaturity. This year she is still timid. She has good form and hits well in the cages and at stations, but in the game she seems to tense up. Not sure if there is a fix for this?? Positive reinforcement/encouragement are wearing thin at times. Any advice for a frustrated Dad?

 

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how about confidence. How does she hit off a live pitcher at practice. Try some soft toss and live pitching. It took my DD til the end of her 10-U year to realize the pitchers job is to strike you out, no shame in it. I made sure she watched some of our best hitters so she can see it happens to everyone

 

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Does timid mean that she appears as if she is afraid of being hit -or- does it mean she isn't swinging the bat?

 

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Have her bunt some just to get the feel and confidence of making any contact with the ball..

 

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When I pitch to her she is cofident and appears more confortable in the box. Timid, as in nervous-but not real nervous. I am sure she is concerened about getting hit also. It just may take a little more time for her.

 

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Maybe ask her coach if he would tell her to "swing at everything" during practices. Get her in the mindset to swing first / hold up second. Then as her confidence comes and timidy passes, then begin to discuss which pitches NOT to swing at. Make her an agressive hitter first and then try to "cool her jets" later.

 

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Does she set up too far away from the plate during games? Does she "step in the bucket" when she does swing at a pitch? Does she back out at most of the pitches during a game? Is she hesitant in her swing? Does she move around anxiously in the batters box?

Fear of getting hit by the ball is one of the toughest things to break. Sometimes it takes getting hit by the ball quite a few times and realizing it doesn't hurt as much as expected in order to become an assertive hitter. I am by no means suggesting to throw at her. It's just gonna take some time if this is the problem.

The other possibility is the fear of failure. If you believe she is not afraid to get hit by live pitching then this is probably the issue. If this is the case, I suggest the following:

While smiling, tell her that it is much tougher to succeed if there is doubt in her mind about her ability to make contact. Explain to her that she will become a much better hitter if she fully believes she will hit the ball. Try to make it a game for her. Tell her that the prize of the "batting game" is getting on base.

Hope this helps.

Len

 

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At 10u we used to have our girls get in the cage with batting helmets on, stand in the box and toss a few at their head, the mid section, and skip a couple in the dirt. I don't know if it's the best thing to do but they felt the small pain factor associated with a wild pitch. After a couple practices of starting out this way it almost became a game to the girls. It seems it did help them, but to what extent i don't know. 10u player always seem to have this breakin period. If your still having issues at 12u there's always the old standby incentive $$$$$ Works EVERY time! LOL! :

 

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bobblehead...right on, couldn't agree more.

Gohome, I'd say IMHO that she is afraid of getting hit. I see numerous kids that are late with their pre-loading of the hips all the time. One sure fired indicator is if they hit against a machine (or Dad) and are comfortable and seem to fall to pieces against a stranger. You might try incorporating some additional personal protection on her at practice for a while to try and build her confidence.

One thing for sure, she has got to be the one that works the fear out, all you can do is help her through it. hang in there.

 

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Bobblehead I agree
This sounds just like my dd five years ago. I had her swing at everything at the start. Once she started making contact, then we dialed in the strike zone. Be patient, it took the whole summer for the process. Five years later she is an exceptional hitter. Just keep working with her. The key is confidence.

 

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I tried a novel approached many moons ago with a couple of "timid" batters. I asked several of successful HS players to mentor some young players. What was the first question the younger players asked? "Does it hurt to get hit by the pitch?". The best answer I've heard is "Yes, but by the time you get to first - you can't stop smiling because you've just helped your team" and "the next day" - you will have the coolest bruise!"

I did not have a problem after that...

 

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Lenski, Sometimes I catch her too far from the plate but overall she is fine in her set up. She tends to be a little stiff and doesn't swing as strong as she does in practice. Weak grounder or a strike out.

I thank all of you for the words of encouragement and all the suggestions. You have given me some new things to try-Thanks again!

 

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Who does she hit off of at practice? A 10 year old or a coach serving up big fat melons?

 

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I usually throw batting practice or we use a machine. I don't throw fast. We concentrate on hitting/making contact.

 

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Gohome, If you have a pitcher with decent accuracy I would mix in some live pitching. Your dd will get more confident when hitting. What I use to do when the accuracy was an issue was I would give the girls 10-15 pitches, then let the girls have an at-bat against our pitchers. This seemed to work real well because they would get the big fat pitches against me(and the confidence), and the game like situation against a real pitcher. It also gives your young pitcher the same opportunity for game like situations.

Hope this helps
Mike

 

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I have offten heard, and agree with, the saying that Pitchers should never throw batting practice. Is it OK at the younger ages. I agree that the more live pitching she see's the sooner she will gain confidence.

 

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I have offten heard, and agree with, the saying that Pitchers should never throw batting practice..

Not questioning, but just wondering, what is the reason for this. Thanx.

 

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I'm kind of curious to hear why a pitcher should not pitch batting practice? I've done this since my girls went to kid pitch, and besides the occasional controls mishaps we have never had a problem. Both the hitter and the pitcher get in some work. Seems like a win win. I could be wrong though.

Mike