By: jdavis

jdavis — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 14:05:26 +0000

This is a great topic and one that I would love to see discussed further. Currently I am working with a 10U Fall Rec. team. We all know that rec. teams bring a certain number of unique traits to the game based solely on rules. For example, a player who is “scared of the ball” would normally be cut on a travel team or an AllStar team and certainly at a school team level, but in rec. ball there are no try-outs or cuts. (Personally, this is a great thing. If I do my job as a coach then these girls will learn to enjoy the game and their skill sets will increase. After a while they may not have to fear being cut. What a tremendous challenge/reward opportunity!)
On my 10U rec. team I have a young lady who SHOULD be a tremendous softball player. She is slightly taller than average for her age, in great shape athletically, has taken several years of dance so her footwork comes naturally, yet fielding practice terrifies her. She has admitted to being struck in the upper left temple as an 8u player and has not recovered mentally from the pain and swollen eye.
Together we are working on proper catching techniques and gaining confindence in our footwork (something she is very confident in). I have been slow to mention the defensive face masks that are currently on the market, until we determine if softball is the right sport for her. I have put her in the infield during a version of soft toss drills so that she can get used to the ball coming off the bat and learn that she does indeed have the ability to get in position and make the stop without the ball hitting her.
I would like to read any other tips and suggestions that might be out there. Youth fastpitch in my area, outside of middle and high school, is fledgling at best. I measure my success by how many girls like the game enough to pursue it for another year or at another level. This young ladies potential and pedigree are phenomenal, I would hate to fail her.

Comments on: I’m Afraid of the Ball

By: jdavis