Posted by: George () on Sat Jul 7 19:55:43 2007

> > I know I am a dad and I should not feel like this at all but my son is 11 years old and on a scale from 1-100 has about a 25 in power. He bats like .750 but all ground balls. I have done everything with him, I spend about 1hr a day just playing and having fun with him and his friends. Today he was pitching and a kid killed his pitch like I used to. I would hit 1 out of 3 balls 300 ft when I was 12 and could hit a ball 400 feet when I was 13. He has never hit a ball 200 feet.
> > I am seriously getting frustrated with that and pitch speed. I try to think back and he is almost an exact replica of me physically. Why is it that some people can hit a ball 100 feet further than him when they wiegh the same and can not be lifting wieghts or anything.
> > I am really tired of watching him hit ground balls and not doubles in the gaps. I mean you can tell if someone hits a ball hard and his ball just bloops off the bat.
> > I felt like walking away from the game tonight and feel horrible because it's my son, I am supposed to be proud no matter what. It was so easy for me. Any help?
>
> Yeah. Learn rotational hitting mechanics and teach them to your son
>
> Also: Get a grip and grow up. You're not 11 anymore and your son is not you. Youth baseball isn't life or death. Quit whining. Read a book on leadership and dealing with adversity.

----------------------------------------------------------------------
AJM77. Keep working with your kid. But most of all keep the positives present because .750 is a great batting average. Moreover, your kid is your kid. He may take the best of you, the worst of you, or be somewhere in the middle. What is important is that you can be a positive influence on directing him to be his personal best (NOT YOU reincarnated (as much as we men would like our sons to be)). The outcome eitherway is not etched in stone.

And remember, your kid is likely under pressure to please you whether he shows it or not. Look at how many youngsters were ruined trying to measure up to big shoes.

Ex.
1. Ted Williams's son.- money hungry, mismanaged and took advantage of his father and his father's good name. Result- untimely death and ultimately went nuts.

2. Yogi Berra's son- got off into drugs

3. Cecil Fielder's son- no current relationship with father

4. Don Mattingly's son- Taylor- gave up his dream because of the pressure due to a loss of fun/desire.

The Ken Griffey Sr. success stories are the exception not the rule.




Also, keep in mind the sometimes power develops later in life.
Ex. George Brett, Don Mattingly, Stan Musial, and Kirby Pucket.