Being hit by the ball.....

Question
So, my son is 7 years old, this year he has gone from T-ball into Minor B. 1/2 the season was coach pitch, second half is Player pitch. Unfortunately, he has been hit, and now I find him ducking right after the pitch is thrown.  I being a MOM am like, okay Im going to pull him, he is scared, while Dad says, he has to stay in to conquer this fear. I ask my son if he wants to continue to play and he saysm Yes. He loves it, he likes watching, playing, being part of a team.  I should let you know that during coach pitch, my son was able to make solid contact, 90 % of the time, getting on base, he does well at the cages and with his batting coach and at practice, but put him in the game, and the confidence is gone.  What do we do?  

Answer
Hi Rosie,

its a touch job being a parent.  I'm with your husband and advise him to face his fear but I have a caveat:  give him encouragement, support and patience.  He is just 7 years old.  

When I was coaching my boy, I too saw him hit a few times by wild pitches.  He would 'step out' of the batters boxes many times.  During our games, if you step out - its an automatic strike.

I practiced with him (and others who were shy of the ball) but throwing tennis balls for them to hit.  Sure they got hit a few times BUT it didn't hurt much.  Come game time, they would again step out of the box - fearing the ball.

The next step I took was to show them how to dodge those wild pitches.  I invented a game, much like dodgeball, where the players goal was to avoid being hit.  They would stand at the plate (bat in hand) and would have to dodge the ball as best they can.  We did this before every batting practice.  I used tennis balls and they were not allowed to step out of the box - they had to dodge the ball.  

They got better at dodging the ball, but some still had that fear of the 'real' ball (they know the difference).  Over time, I allowed them to step out.  It was a letdown to the team BUT it had to be his decision to hit or stepout.  Eventually, my son realized that IF he wanted to contribute, he would have to face his fear and try to hit the ball.  It took him longer than any of the other players.  If fact, he was the last to get over the fear.  

One year, I had a girl on our team and she was forever stepping out on each pitch.  It was hard to watch her strike out and never get on base.  Eventually, she too realized she had to take a swing.  One time she did swing and she hit the ball.  Mind you, it was a pop-fly to the pitcher BUT the whole team was stunned.  After that, she slowly started swinging at the ball and less and less stepouts.  By the end of the season, we could count on her to hit the ball and never step out.  She was very brave and I admired her for that.

I also instructed my players on how to avoid injury.  Turning in and down is one technique - getting hit in the back or shoulder is less painful than the arm or elbow.  Ask your son's coach to show him how to protect himself from wild pitches.

The best method is to keep their eye on the ball and build enough confidence and ability to duck and dodge any wild pitches.  Of course, hitting the ball is best. It all comes with time and experience.

I know how difficult it must be to watch your son face his fear.  Please keep in mind that baseball has this risk.  

You may consider buying some padding for him.  There are pads you can purchase for batters, perhaps they have some in your childs size.  If not, improvise.  A hocky elbow pad may be all that you need. There are also shin pads available too.

Best of luck,

JohnMc

NB:  Please encourage your son that there is no shame in being hit.  With experience, he will eventually dodge the ball like the rest of his team.  No one will laugh when he gets hit and those who do are not true baseball fans.

Have him watch every player on his team that goes to bat.  Have him look carefully at how they stand, what they are looking at and how they handle wild pitches.  The best teacher is often a team mate.