How to help LL'er get over fear in batter box after getting hit by pitch

[Anonymous]

My son took a really hard pitch to the kidney/back last summer and cannot get his confidence back. We got him an undershirt with padding, but beyond that, don't know what to do. His anxiety is ruining the season for him, which I hate to see so much. Anybody have any good tips for helping him?

[Anonymous]

Isn't the joke to hit them with the ball so they get used to it?

But the only thing I can think of is to have them practice rolling/showing their back if the ball is about to hit them, so they can feel prepared if it looks like they're going to get hit again.

[Anonymous]

The general rec for that is to teach them how to turn properly and then make sure to hit them on purpose during batting practice here and there. Use tennis balls if necessary. Also helps to make a joke out it, light mood etc and emphasize the free ride to 1st. Also does he pitch at all? Helps them to understand HBP happens to all and is not a big deal.

[Anonymous]

Some kids recover from this and some kids never do. I've seen two girls quit softball over it, even after trying all the usual tricks.

The best thing you can do is work with him yourself (or your partner, if applicable), assuming you are the most trusted adult in his life.

Here's a good article with various suggestions:
https://fastpitchlane.softballsuccess.com/2023/09/22/fear-of-the-ball-theyre-not-wrong/

[Anonymous]

Get him in the catcher’s gear, he’ll be armored.

[Anonymous]

Teach him “the pinch”. When he senses he’s about to get beaned, train his instincts to immediately turn inward toward the catcher while pinching his shoulder blades together to tighten up the muscles in his back which will protect his sensitive ribs, spine, and kidneys. Also look straight up to the sky to protect the back of his neck with his helmet. Done correctly, and he’ll take the pitched ball in the meat of his back, butt, or hamstrings and he’ll barely feel it. Let him bean you a bunch of times to show him the proper technique and that it’s really no big deal. Then bean him yourself starting with tennis balls, then golf balls, and then ~60mph baseballs.

If you’re gonna be a baseballer, you’re gonna get hit every now and then. But if the anxiety is crippling for him, maybe he could 100% focus on pitching instead if he’s already a pitcher.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My son took a really hard pitch to the kidney/back last summer and cannot get his confidence back. We got him an undershirt with padding, but beyond that, don't know what to do. His anxiety is ruining the season for him, which I hate to see so much. Anybody have any good tips for helping him?

Yeah, hit the ball before it hits you.

[Anonymous]

This happened to my son when he was 11 - he was a disaster at the plate for the rest of the season. Just could not make himself stay in the box. He got over though, it just took a while (he's 16 now and playing on his varsity team).

The tennis ball thing is one approach coaches use. I assume he already knows about turning his back to the ball.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Teach him “the pinch”. When he senses he’s about to get beaned, train his instincts to immediately turn inward toward the catcher while pinching his shoulder blades together to tighten up the muscles in his back which will protect his sensitive ribs, spine, and kidneys. Also look straight up to the sky to protect the back of his neck with his helmet. Done correctly, and he’ll take the pitched ball in the meat of his back, butt, or hamstrings and he’ll barely feel it. Let him bean you a bunch of times to show him the proper technique and that it’s really no big deal. Then bean him yourself starting with tennis balls, then golf balls, and then ~60mph baseballs.

If you’re gonna be a baseballer, you’re gonna get hit every now and then. But if the anxiety is crippling for him, maybe he could 100% focus on pitching instead if he’s already a pitcher.

Barely feel it? My son isn't afraid of being hit and is past the age of crying when he does, but he ends up with huge black and blue welts where the ball hit him. He definitely feels it and the spectators audibly wince when these kids get beaned because they know it had to hurt. Players should have all the protective gear, elbow and leg guards, face shield, sliding mitt, etc so they feel safe and don't end up with serious injuries.

[Anonymous]

Hey OP --

This was me when I was a kid. Then All-WCAC in high school and collegiate All-American selection. It feels like the end of the world, but I assure you it isn't.

This was also my son in LL too, of course.

-- Let him know that it's completely normal. On a caveman level, someone is throwing a rock at him.

-- He just needs to rewire his brain, so he focuses on hitting the ball, not getting hit. Easier, said then done.

-- I don't think getting hit by tennis balls work because the kids know they are tennis balls. But it can be good practice for how to get hit. I don't agree with practicing getting hit with real balls -- this isn't about tolerating pain, it's about the brain going on red alert and bailing out of the box.

-- Start with small goals -- no stepping or bailing out. Remove swinging from the equation. Just get comfortable with tracking the ball out of the pitcher's hand and getting the brain to recognize that 95% of pitches are not going to hit you. And because they aren't swinging, they'll also realize that that can get out of the way and avoid being hit.

-- Once they are more firm in the box, suggest that they start swinging at specific pitch locations with which they are comfortable. Maybe take anything inside, but swing middle-away, or just away.

-- Then have them think through the situation if they do get hit. It hurts! But focus on the positive side that they are helping the team by being a base runner.

-- Once they start swinging regularly, don't be surprised if they are a little wild and overaggressive. They haven't been paying attention to the strike zone, but more importantly they'll want to join the hitting party with their teammates.

Everyone is scared of getting hit, even Big Leaguers. It's just a matter of how much one can suppress the fear and focus on the at-bat.

This will pass! And just be glad it's not the yips.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hey OP --

This was me when I was a kid. Then All-WCAC in high school and collegiate All-American selection. It feels like the end of the world, but I assure you it isn't.

This was also my son in LL too, of course.

-- Let him know that it's completely normal. On a caveman level, someone is throwing a rock at him.

-- He just needs to rewire his brain, so he focuses on hitting the ball, not getting hit. Easier, said then done.

-- I don't think getting hit by tennis balls work because the kids know they are tennis balls. But it can be good practice for how to get hit. I don't agree with practicing getting hit with real balls -- this isn't about tolerating pain, it's about the brain going on red alert and bailing out of the box.

-- Start with small goals -- no stepping or bailing out. Remove swinging from the equation. Just get comfortable with tracking the ball out of the pitcher's hand and getting the brain to recognize that 95% of pitches are not going to hit you. And because they aren't swinging, they'll also realize that that can get out of the way and avoid being hit.

-- Once they are more firm in the box, suggest that they start swinging at specific pitch locations with which they are comfortable. Maybe take anything inside, but swing middle-away, or just away.

-- Then have them think through the situation if they do get hit. It hurts! But focus on the positive side that they are helping the team by being a base runner.

-- Once they start swinging regularly, don't be surprised if they are a little wild and overaggressive. They haven't been paying attention to the strike zone, but more importantly they'll want to join the hitting party with their teammates.

Everyone is scared of getting hit, even Big Leaguers. It's just a matter of how much one can suppress the fear and focus on the at-bat.

This will pass! And just be glad it's not the yips.

Thanks so much for this advice. I really appreciate it (and the other thoughtful posts).

[Anonymous]

throw tennis balls at him?