- Oct 21, 2010
- 4
- 0
My DD is a very good 10U pitcher. She has a pitching coach and practices most days. Because most girls in our area are not so practiced or focused, she tends to spend a lot of time in the circle. Probably half her playing time is as a pitcher.
About 16 months ago, while playing catch with another girl, she missed a throw and caught it in the eye. Nothing broken, but the bones were deeply bruised. As much as 6 months later she was still feeling tenderness. She's fine now, but the incident is etched in her mind.
Since then her catching skills have gotten much worse. She has an obvious fear of the ball. She tends to twist, move, etc., in any way she can to move her body out of the path of the ball while catching it. This leads to many dropped balls and passed balls, and baserunners are really starting to take advantage of it.
I have taken the approach that she will eventually get over it and find proper form, and that is what our pitching coach has suggested as well. She's only 10 after all. But I am starting to doubt that, as it seems like its getting worse, not better. Can anyone offer any suggestions for coaching a player past their fear of the ball at young ages?
Incidentally, when she is under game pressure to make a catch, e.g. if she is making a play at a base, her form becomes very good. She is not afraid of the ball when hitting, either. In fact she stands in better than most when facing fast pitchers, even wild ones.
Any thoughts would be appreciated!
About 16 months ago, while playing catch with another girl, she missed a throw and caught it in the eye. Nothing broken, but the bones were deeply bruised. As much as 6 months later she was still feeling tenderness. She's fine now, but the incident is etched in her mind.
Since then her catching skills have gotten much worse. She has an obvious fear of the ball. She tends to twist, move, etc., in any way she can to move her body out of the path of the ball while catching it. This leads to many dropped balls and passed balls, and baserunners are really starting to take advantage of it.
I have taken the approach that she will eventually get over it and find proper form, and that is what our pitching coach has suggested as well. She's only 10 after all. But I am starting to doubt that, as it seems like its getting worse, not better. Can anyone offer any suggestions for coaching a player past their fear of the ball at young ages?
Incidentally, when she is under game pressure to make a catch, e.g. if she is making a play at a base, her form becomes very good. She is not afraid of the ball when hitting, either. In fact she stands in better than most when facing fast pitchers, even wild ones.
Any thoughts would be appreciated!
