Where to stand in the batters box

Question
My daughter plays on a 10 U fast-pitch team. We currently have her standing back in the box, closer to the catcher, the thinking being that she will get more time to see the pitch and react than if she stands up in the box closer to the pitcher. She's hitting well as-is. Any thoughts on the preferred location?

Thanks.

Answer
Hello Lew,

It's not quite as critical at your current age group.  The majority of pitchers in your age group will only be throwing fastballs, peel drops, or changeups.  When you advance in age and the girls have developed curveballs, screwballs, and the dreaded riseball, I advise being up at the front of the box.  Any breaking pitch is going to do the majority of its breaking over the last 10 feet of flight.  If a girl takes advantage of the front four feet of the batter's box (portion in front of the middle of home plate) then they are greatly reducing the amount of break the ball is allowed to make.)  The downside to this obviously you have less reaction time and it is harder to check up on the change up.  If she has a good compact swing and weight transfer is done correctly, the reduced reaction time will not have a huge negative outcome.  

To answer your question, I probably wouldn't try and move her this season, but I would consider it when she moves up to 12 and under.

Coach Mike