My son, who is 8 and in little league, is so keyed up when he goes up to hit that he is waaayyyy ahead of the ball. He is a very good hitter who hits it very hard, but he is so anxious that he is swinging out of his shoes. Do you have any suggestions on how to clear the mind and relax at the plate? I have suggested that he relax and wait for the pitch, but he wants to succeed so badly that he finds it difficult. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
2006-09-25 07:57:31 · 9 answers · asked by John S 1 in Sports ➔ Baseball
batting cages would be a great idea but also moving him up in the box would also help...maybe a reward for hitting the ball or you behind him not letting him swing until the ball gets closer.
2006-09-25 08:05:35 · answer #1 · answered by Shischkabob 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Honestly, he's 8. He is not going to fully comprehend what you are wanting him to do, until he gets a little older. You will NEVER get him to clear his mind at 8 years old...and that's good.
It sounds like he is just swinging, to swing. He is not seeing the ball being pitched. The best thing to do is get a rag ball (any sporting goods store) and soft toss (underhand) it to him. Let him get used to hitting a tossed ball from a short distance. Stand about 10 feet in front of him, and toss the ball under hand to him. If he's early with it, explain to him that he has to see the ball hit the bat. Tell him to keep his eye on the ball, and watch the ball hit his bat.
But at 8 years old, you don't want him clearing his mind...the game is still for fun at that age. When he gets to be 11 & 12, that is when he will have a better idea how to relax more. Right now, the game is new & exciting to your son, and I really don't want to know an 8 year old that can clear his mind that quickly.
Just be patient, encourage him along the way, and he will get it.
Good luck
2006-09-25 16:03:18 · answer #2 · answered by brianwerner1313 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Is he making contact and hitting the ball foul all the time? If this is the case a heavier bat may slow him down some. This was what turned Matty Alou into a career .300 hitter.
If he is not making contact, spend some time with a batting tee working on a smooth swing. Once he controls the swing on the tee try the batting cage with a slow pitch, the slower the better. As he gets better with the slow pitches and hits them fair, he will be able to hit faster pitches with additional practice.
To tell the truth, this is an easier "problem" to fix than the kids that are scared to swing the bat. Good luck to him and his swing; good luck to Dad maintaining patience.
2006-09-26 20:59:55 · answer #3 · answered by jpbofohio 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would take him to the batting cages and work with him trying to hit the ball to the opposite field, i.e. letting it get further in his stance. This way he has to wait for the ball longer. It may take a little while until the results show on the field, but with anything in baseball the repetitive practice will yield a greater result.
2006-09-25 15:01:36 · answer #4 · answered by VantheMan 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
cages and you pitch to him. it is exciting for him but tell him if he want to do good that he has to relax. baseball is not an all the time adrenaline game like football. too much is bad. if he is a good hitter remind him of his good hits and tell him to keep doing the same mechanics and hell be fine
2006-09-26 14:45:26 · answer #5 · answered by Tod R 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First, feel comfortable in the batters box by diggin in...then take a few practice swings....then piviot ur foot to stay back...swing at the last possible moment in front of the plate....
2006-09-25 15:23:31 · answer #6 · answered by modeledge 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Keep him in the batting cage as much as possible!!!!!!And get him to stand in the back of the box , and time the pitch , when he is on deck time the pitch
2006-09-25 15:49:32 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Keep your weight back and drive the ball up the middle. Try to knock the pitcher's head off.
2006-09-27 12:37:51 · answer #8 · answered by mrcrib65 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
just tell him to waite as long as posible and strike it at the last moment thats what i did when i was in little leauge and it worked
2006-09-29 11:01:33 · answer #9 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋