Posted by: Willyboy (bwolfe@hfgp.com) on Mon Jul 12 09:22:53 2010

> I manage a 10U team. The problem I am having is my own son. He struggles mightily at the plate. He is probably the top hitter on my team in the cage and at practice. In the game, he grips the bat so tightly and is late on everything. I have tried relaxing techniques, imagery, but nothing seems to work. It is totally a mental thing with him. He has excellent rotational mechanics, great timing and vision (at cage and practice), yet in games he freezes up. I have tried not saying anything, just being positive, getting on him but I can't seem to figure it out. He is a very intelligent kid and it is starting to get to him. Any ideas? Thanks guys


No idea,

Your son has too much in his head at the plate. Hitting is timing and confidence! Of course mechanics too, but without timing or confidence, mechanics are usless (sorry Jack). Your son will most likely break through this. He is very young! My son was a top hitter on a kids pitch team at about the same age. He played in a city league that used a pitching machine, and he struggled for a while. Just didn't feel comfortable against the machine.

I would try working on hit and runs with him. He may have to chase a bad pitch, and I know at age 10 there will be plenty of those, but without telling him to hit anything, give him a reason like "hit and run". He will probably clear his head and have a positve purpose in the box. This could resolve itself in one or two successes.

Your season is likely coming to an end now, so time may be short. You might want to look into getting him a personalized wood bat (Viper Bats is a good internet site). Let him hit with it a couple of times against live pitching in game situations. The problem is probably mental. Anything that gets him focused on wanting to hit will help!

Good luck! There is plenty of time. Everytime my son goes into a slump, I feel your frustrations. Success breeds success. You may have him lay down a couple of bunts every now and then too.