batting fear

Question
Our boy is 10 and is playing recreational baseball.  He started out the season batting just great--hitting the ball every time.  All of the sudden, mid-season, he has developed a terrible case of nerves when he goes up to bat.  He is unable to concentrate he is so nervous and has struck out the past 8 games.  He is a very good athelete, is a great catcher, and plays other team sports--mostly ice hockey and basketball.  This is his first team sport where you are up as an individual.  He didn't play baseball last year, so this is his first year with good players.
I don't know how to get him to overcome his nervousness.

Answer
This is a problem that many young hitters face.  I reccommend showing him the proper way to avoid getting hit by a pitch ( ask his coach to demonstrate ) and then having him take LOTS of live batting practice.  He'll soon discover that he can get out of the way most of the time.

It might be that the best way to get over the fear is to actually get hit a few times.  He'll learn that it does not hurt that much and after a while, he'll learn to relax.

I have some players ( 17 y/0 )that actually try to get hit by the pitch ( or don't try to avoid it ) now as a game strategy.  They have gotten used to it.

You need to know that this is perfectly normal and if his desire is to be a hitter, he will overcome the fear.

Best of luck.