Posted by: THE HITTING GURU () on Mon Jul 21 12:37:00 2003

I am desperate for some advice, why my son cannot hit a baseball during a game. My son is a 9 year old travel all star. He is having trouble hitting pitches from other 9 year old boys. He does extremely well in the batting cages and will hit junk I throw to him in practice. However when he is up to the plate he is striking out everytime. His swing mechanics are good and he said he is not nervous. Any suggestions will be very helpful thank you




IF YOUR SON IS STRIKING OUT EVERYTIME HE IS PROBABLY EITHER SWINGING AT BAD PITCHES OR HE IS PROBABLY SWINGING LATE. MANY MAJOR LEAGUERS HAVE THIS SAME PROBLEM WHEN THEY GO INTO SLUMPS. IN ADDITION YOUR SOON MAY BE TRYING TO HARD. I WOULD SUGGEST HAVING SOMEONE ELSE PITCH TO HIM WHO IS ACTUALLY TRYING TO GET HIM OUT. (ANOTHER CHILD OR CHILDREN HIS AGE RATHER THAN YOU.) FURTHER, IF YOU CAN, FIND A STRIKE OUT BOX (IN WHICH YOUR SON CAN BE PITCHED TO ON A WALL WITH A BOX THAT SHOWS A STRIKEZONE AREA). (USE RUBBER BALLS) HE SHOULD PRACTICE WITH OTHER KIDS FOR A FEW INNINGS AGAINST THE WALL. THIS WAY HE WILL GET USED TO A SEMI-GAME CONDITION. PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE. MAKE SURE HE SWINGS AT STRIKES. MOST STRIKEOUTS ARE ON PITCHES OUT OF THE STRIKEZONE. GOOD LUCK!!