hitting transition

Question
QUESTION: what is the best way to get a little leaguer used to erratic kid pitch, from coach pitch

ANSWER: Rob,
This is a tough situation for little league coaches.  At the little league level you want to see the players hit and not take walks.  Due to the lack of accuracy of some little league pitchers you may walk or swing at bad pitches.  I would recommend that you make your hitters disciplined at the plate.  Train them to see the strike zone with discipline not to swing at pitches out of the zone.  Teaching the hitters the correct way to avoid getting hit by the baseball coming at them will make them see the baseball better.  Not many coaches teach the little leaguers this but it will build their confidence.  
Overall the best way to prepare the hitters for erratic pitching is to teach them the correct way to approach hitting.  If the hitters go up to the plate with good fundamentals and plate discipline they will do fine.  After they have the correct fundamentals talk to them about having a plan at the plate.  For any age, if you go to the plate without a plan you will be timid and guess.  If the hitters have a plan they will be aggressive and not have to think, they will react.  

Thank You,
John Priest
Nokona Batman

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: thanks for the useful info.
how do you teach avoiding getting hit, which can lead to being gun shy at the plate and swinging errantly

Answer
Rob,
    Its not so much avoiding getting hit as it is being able to turn away from the ball so you don't get a direct hit.  I have seen many little leaguers cry after being hit as they go to first base.  This response comes more from the fear of what just happened, rather than the actual pain.  To avoid the direct hit and sometimes the hit you should turn your front side toward the catcher.  This is done by pivoting the front foot in a way that your body faces the catcher.  By doing this you will move away from the ball avoiding the direct hit.  If the baseball hits the player it will hit him in the back of the leg, back side, upper arm, or the back of the helmet.  This is much better than getting hit in the chest, knee, shin, or even face.  This technique will give the hitter more confidence and the ability to stay with pitches at the plate.  Just being ready with the weight on the balls of the feet, and not on the heels will make the hitters more aggressive and ready for the incoming pitch.  
    Simple drills with wiffle balls or tennis ball thrown soft from a short distance will get the hitters the fundamental.  Try to keep the drill simple and short.  To much of this drill will make some first time little leaguers more nervous.  
   As long as the hitters know and understand how to hit they will be prepared and not swing errantly.  The key is understanding how to hit.  For example, a hitter can put his hands in the correct load position, but does he know why they need to be in this position.  

Thank You,
John Priest
Nokona Batman