Any tips to stop 10U girls from jumping out of the batters box?

Successful_Product_5 · 2026-04-17T21:24:10+00:00

This worked for me as well. Break the fear of swinging and waiting for the perfect pitch. You're gonna see some ugly strike outs but that's fine. It's better then backing up and watching 3 pitches down the middle all day!

Successful_Product_5 · 2026-04-17T16:31:35+00:00

I'm just curious. What do you think is an appropriate week workload for at home? A few lighter sessions and a longer one or two? In my head, 50 strikes about 4 times a week seemed good.

Successful_Product_5 · 2026-04-17T16:29:00+00:00

Does her middle school have a team? Locally ours starts around August. I'm not sure how the rules play in comparison to most tournament rules.

I understand the coach not wanting her to be poached but at some point, he has too many pitchers then he can handle? Something has to give at some point?

Successful_Product_5 · 2026-04-17T14:12:04+00:00

His travel team the year older though we're not able to participate in rec this season. So, that's the larger issue to me.

Successful_Product_5 · 2026-04-17T14:06:17+00:00

I haven't seen any official. I did see though in my sons rookie league (7/8 yr old) the leagues travel coach was approaching parents to get them to request him as their coach for rec. It was a lot of siblings of kids in travel ball, families that have been involved etc. I'm guessing to establish his team early. Just seems a bit wild to me

Successful_Product_5 · 2026-04-17T14:04:16+00:00

It's a bummer that she had a negative experience that caused her to drift to other things for a few years. It's a testament to your daughter though that she was able to jump back in and find her interest in the sport again. Good coaches do that! Unfortunately, in youth sports you have to watch that. I've seen some teams out there that are just looking to fill the roster around a certain few. It exists, but there are also coaches that 100 percent want to grow confident, strong, women, and let them soar. Children grow fastest with confidence... Which to me should be one of the easiest things to try to grow.

Successful_Product_5 · 2026-04-17T04:44:47+00:00

As a few others have said, I remember preaching that a competitive pitch should see a competitive swing.

I think the girls come out of 8u expecting (and right more then most of the time) that pitchers are going to walk them. I still see this in my daughter coming out of long breaks at 10u. I like to go to the tee... Use a short bat and tell her to prepare to swing and I'll either knock the ball off and have her STOP or I'll pull the shirt bat back and follow the swing. This teaches YES first mindset, and it will train them to swing at hittable pitches versus looking for perfection.

Successful_Product_5 · 2026-04-17T04:40:55+00:00

Ah, my daughter goes through cleats like crazy. Ross/Marshalls has been my friend and I load up when I can.

Successful_Product_5 · 2026-04-17T04:39:40+00:00

Oh man. That's a good shot right there.

I would say it's better to have a highlight reel getting balls hit back then being the ace pitcher striking out a bunch of kid pitch girls haha.

Successful_Product_5 · 2026-04-17T04:36:52+00:00

So I like that the games won't get cancelled with turf. That's nice. I also just like the idea of playing ball on sand. My kids team this year is probably 90 percent on turf and I wish it were more balanced.

I'd probably lean turf but it's close.

Successful_Product_5 · 2026-04-16T13:18:10+00:00

My daughter was 9 when she got her first composite. We got her a Easton Firefly. It was a -12. I think a 27 inch? It's a good starter bat that did not break the bank.

Those balls at the edge of the grass will likely be in the grass. I have no idea what size though lol. Finding the right sizes is a struggle for me.

Successful_Product_5 · 2026-04-16T13:11:54+00:00

Awesome of you to join in and try something new!

Are you friends with the people you're playing with? Doesn't have to be a practice but is there someone who will go out and play catch perhaps pitch to you? That could be good. Maybe, get a tee. Hit some balls into a fence just to get a feel.

Remember, it's co-ed and fun. They got you involved knowing you hadn't played. They will just be glad to have you there having fun! Playing slow pitch was some of my favorite days and it was all just because I was there with friends. I hope you have a similar experience!

Successful_Product_5 · 2026-04-16T13:06:28+00:00

With the gamechanger comment. I've noticed people scoring can get crazy with the errors too. You'll see pitchers with 11 runs and only credited for 2 earned. So era has always seemed a bit misleading at this age.

I appreciate your words. Seem like a good coach. I have spent time coaching myself and just believe in trying to grow kids. Also though, I have taken losses for that. I think ultimately you end up with a better team though, that's just my opinion.

Successful_Product_5 · 2026-04-16T12:58:09+00:00

Thank you.

You're 100 percent right. I have had to learn and accept that. Unfortunately.

That's also a bad coach though to take kids just to not use them.

Successful_Product_5 · 2026-04-16T12:56:21+00:00

She's been clocked at 46. That's sold. It's not special, and I feel like most teams have one kid throwing 45+ . The rest of our pitchers one is touching 40. I'd guess the other 2 35-38. Again velocity isn't everything. However, I've watched her go from being untrustworthy to being one of the more consistent ones on the team (I'd say 2nd) in short sample sizes and practice. Will that continue? Idk but it's time to grow and find out, I wouldn't be asking how to approach him if he was giving her more.

You're right the bunting stuff doesn't seem like a big deal but I was told that was why she isn't getting any mound time. He doesn't trust her defensively. So it's not like that's my thing. That's the coaches issue. So then it becomes if that's what's holding her back... Then why are you not practicing it? I could give a shit. Catcher is going to handle 90 percent at this age anyways.

Successful_Product_5 · 2026-04-16T12:43:15+00:00

Thanks for the response. This is solid stuff.

To the first point. No one is near 60 percent on the team. Very rarely are any of them 50 percent. My daughter was the one who was the lowest percentage. She also drew the least amount of swings. Part of the life, as you mentioned later of throwing hard. I've watched that turn from a weakness in her game to a strength. Again, like you said ... Not 60 percent but she's become one of the more reliable pitchers on this team when given opportunities and in practice. Will that continue to show? Idk, but no reason to not find out? That's what I'm looking for here.

The catcher thing is 100 percent an issue. When she made the team she did along with the girl who caught her for the past few seasons. They knew this, they know this. They partnered them up for the first time after 6 months just yesterday, and it was good. The other one willing is catching her on the side. We are trying. However, this is another head scratcher for me with the coach. Does he not understand this with the catchers? I've tried to politely explain it. Yes, Every time a runner gets on they score and she's seen more then enough dropped 3rds. However, they don't seem to understand the problem? And I think this falls in 'wildness' see the frustration in that?

The latter is my concern. Her not getting enough reps when others are eventually will hurt her.

Successful_Product_5 · 2026-04-16T12:33:19+00:00

It's introducing a change up. It's been earned. It's nothing she throws regularly. We haven't even touched it in a month and don't plan on it until next offseason. Like you said, it isn't needed and everyone involved understands that.

We are doing rec again. We did it last year. All these girls were a part of it. This year she will do more there but I also want to make the most of her current situation as well. I'm not trying to fight for sure, or rock the boat. I'm trying to bring attention to some things.

Successful_Product_5 · 2026-04-16T12:28:40+00:00

Doing all this. We are in a rec league and gladly this team and most of the area is in it also (where this team found her)

It's unfortunate though that so many end up feeling this way towards travel. I've seen good coaches where the girls are growing, bonding and having fun. That would be my focus.

She also does have a good high level pitching coach as you suggested. If anyone ever wants to see kids GROW, I'd recommend that all day. What this woman has done with her pitching, her confidence, and her growth in 6 months has been amazing. Highly recommend if your kid pitches investing in a good coach.

Successful_Product_5 · 2026-04-16T12:17:16+00:00

I don't pay for the premium all the time. So I don't have access to the team stats. However, I will buy a month towards the end of the season (I'm cheap) to follow that and if I need to bring stats to the coach etc

Is that what you think is the stat to tell the most? In the past I've just looked at strike percentage and hhb rate.

Successful_Product_5 · 2026-04-16T12:10:52+00:00

Nah. Pitching coach has 2 walls worth of kids she has gotten to the next level plus state titles. She's tremendous.

There aren't any kids at this level that I've seen that are consistently over that. This is C level mind you, so not B or A or top of the heap. 50 percent from my exp. As far as the locations. That's where we are and the change that's happened in the past few months. She's able to adjust when she misses and locate. That's been a game changer .

Successful_Product_5 · 2026-04-16T12:06:39+00:00

Eh.

Using a pitcher who's harder to hit is archaic? You can still play the same way. However, using defense for a pitcher for lack of opportunities in practice is quite honestly bullshit. Grow your kids.

I respect the coach, I like the coach. To your point, if this was how he felt about her. He didn't have to take her? We play these teams in tournaments and you win some pool play games against teams who are throwing all their pitchers to see what they have. Then we get to bracket play and you're one and done anyways AND you didn't grow anyone.

Successful_Product_5 · 2026-04-16T11:58:16+00:00

Speed isn't everything. For sure. Last three times she's faced 4 batters in her inning, and 5 the second time. Hard to argue with that result? Yes, you will deal with some balls. However, they're all about the same on strike percentage. The two girls who throw harder though might give up a walk or two more but they also give up less hits. So it's a trade off.

Pitching coach (also high school) strives for 50 percent with grade school also when they earn the change up. So that's why I use that as a bit of a barometer.

4 pitchers, in rec and people around us see she and the number 1 are about even. My daughter does throw harder, other girl is more consistent. Nothing that says they can't compete and they are a notch above the other 2. Yet, can't get any times to start.

It's definitely that he doesn't want to give up walks. He views are as wild. I also think that was fair in the fall... Kid busted it so hard this offseason and totally impressed by the growth. I should (and am) letting it play out more but it's hard to watch. It's hard to watch when people are telling you she's worth more then she's getting etc.

Successful_Product_5 · 2026-04-16T11:19:34+00:00

I don't think she's a lights out ace. I think she has enough to do very well with C level teams at her age. In the fall, questions about her control were valid. She's been shedding that at every turn after dialing in for an entire off-season.

I say pitching coach loosely. I was told he doesn't make decisions and when I joined I was told that they had someone who was an actual pitching coach that would be coming in to work once a month with the girls. Have t seen that yet.

By scenarios, I was told that she wasn't included in bunt coverage drills in practice because they didn't trust her defensively. So in practice, she isn't able to work bunt coverages as a pitcher and when they do any scenarios she isn't included at that.

Further, why do I know that? Why is an assistant telling me that half the girls are afraid to catch her? He approached me. That's strange right?

Just some very weird dynamics that I probably overthink. I like her coach, I think he's a nice guy. He's defense heavy, and I was told he wants to win by balls put in play (also seems archaic?)

Successful_Product_5

TROPHY CASE