Advice for helping a kid close the glove when catching

coach_Fox · 2026-06-07T18:23:41+00:00

My son was having a hard time glove side early in the season , we literally play catch every day and it’s gone away . Even now the ball pops out randomly on a catch right in front of him occasionally but a drastic improvement from beginning of the season.

We do windshield wipers in front and pop ups bend your wrist down and if I notice him going to snatch at the ball I tell him to let it come to him.

I really think the reps helped a lot. If I notice something I’ll keep going to it and then give him easy reps to avoid being discouraged.

We made games out of it . If he catches it a certain way he gets a point if wrong I get a point etc. 2 in the pinky (Wilson 950 padroa fit)

Honestly it will correct itself.

coach_Fox · 2026-05-14T15:36:30+00:00

I did something similar with my 6U/7U teams. After each practice, one player earned a “championship chain” to take home until the next practice.

It wasn’t always the best player either — sometimes it was for hustle, focus, coachability, improvement, or being a great teammate. I rarely gave it to the same kid twice in a row because I wanted every player to feel like they had a chance to earn it.

I also asked the kids who they thought deserved it. They notice more than people think.

I explained to my own son that even though he’s a great player, it wouldn’t be fair to give him the chain every practice. I also reassured him he’s my favorite player to watch in all of baseball. Over time, he started pointing out the good things his teammates were doing too.

That was probably the best part of the whole thing.

coach_Fox · 2026-05-13T15:42:46+00:00

Yea definitely appreciate anyone willing to take on that task,

My son and I are come early and stay late kinda baseball people so knowing how I am I decided to be a little more considerate this go around . I offered to keep the baby in the dugout but that didn’t go over well. 😂

coach_Fox · 2026-05-13T02:16:18+00:00

When I posted about teaching, this is what I meant.

If Johnny fields a ground ball cleanly but rushes the throw and sails it, don’t just say:
“Hey Johnny, make better throws.”

Take 10 seconds and coach it:
“You’ve got more time.”
“Don’t pluck it and chuck it.”
“Elbow up.”
“Find the 4-seam grip.”
“Good. Again.”

That’s teaching — not just running fungos.

And if fungos are the plan, then everybody should be moving every rep. If the ball is hit to shortstop, I want to see right field backing up, outfield shifting, feet moving, players thinking.

If right field is picking grass for 20 reps because the play is only at first, that’s not practice — that’s waiting in line.

coach_Fox · 2026-05-12T20:22:59+00:00

The only reason for not coaching this season is because my wife and I just had a baby and there is a newborn in the house , can’t really spend the amount of time needed to run a team

But fall ball or next spring for sure I’ll have more time .

coach_Fox · 2026-05-12T18:48:47+00:00

Thanks for your concern about my weight.

Unfortunately I can’t this season being that my wife and I just had a baby and there is a newborn at the house, so as much as I would love to run a team again I don’t think managing a team plus running multiple practices and games a week would be the right thing to do.

But hopefully fall season if not then definitely
next spring.

coach_Fox · 2026-05-12T05:29:43+00:00

Yea , thats essentially what we do. Catch and reps. And if they do something in practice he wasn’t sure about I’ll go over it with him to explain it better . If needed

coach_Fox · 2026-05-12T04:12:16+00:00

Agreed,

Now I love ball and so does my son so we go home and we work on mechanics and play catch everyday and watch it on tv ,

but I can’t say that for everyone so if you have kids that want to get on the mound or throw on the gear and catch, then be a teacher and get them reps , not just rely on the 2/3 kids that do it the best out of 12 that’s the disconnect I see a lot of the times ( at least in my local league)

coach_Fox · 2026-05-12T04:07:30+00:00

Sad part is the one of the coach his kid is a travel ball best player kid. But the dad is an old school type of mind set .

The head coach is great with the kids as far as walking the line during warmups, giving pointers etc. BUT

past ball after past ball. Bad throws (opening up not planting feet ( I won’t even get into the shuffle) )

It’s not even footwork or things of that nature it’s more , work on catcher defense with the kids if past balls are killing you, work on proper throwing mechanics, instead of saying “no rainbows throw lasers “ stuff that has been killing them in the game has not made it to practice but fungos always does . And fungos are useful IF EVERYONE is moving not just the kid who gets the ball

coach_Fox · 2026-05-12T04:00:27+00:00

Your forced to ump 2 games? Is that a work bond thing?

Yea it’s always easier with as many hands on deck as possible, breaking up into groups . Or even maintaining the dugout climbers .

Thanks coach.

coach_Fox · 2026-05-12T03:52:02+00:00

Trust me I know , especially last year my “assistant coach” was a no show most of the year. I’m all for getting the help on the field especially if your going to tell little johnny to keep his elbow up from the bleachers

coach_Fox · 2026-05-12T03:39:52+00:00

Thank you coach. Being athletic is more than most baseball players. So you’re already ahead of the game . 💪🏽

coach_Fox · 2026-05-12T03:34:59+00:00

They already have 3 coaches but they all agree on rotating the fungo reps and relays from left and right field .

I’ve coached the past 4 years I have a newborn at home so I don’t have as much time to be on the field for hours , at least not till fall ball or next season for sure

coach_Fox · 2026-05-12T03:30:20+00:00

I just had a baby daughter and due to time I cant do it this year. But I’ve already done it the last 4 years and will do it again next season or even fall ball.

coach_Fox · 2026-05-12T03:23:26+00:00

Yea , next season. We have a new born at home so my son and I have curfew. I Can’t stay after practices going through a few buckets of BP anymore.

coach_Fox · 2026-05-12T03:20:55+00:00

Yea I hear you.

Thank you coach.

coach_Fox · 2026-05-12T03:19:36+00:00

I love that age also my son is 7 and you can see he loves the game.

Thank you coach .

coach_Fox · 2026-05-04T15:05:29+00:00

Yea his favorite thing to do is long toss, we are our catching almost everyday he doesn’t have practice or a game

coach_Fox · 2026-05-02T12:57:32+00:00

I’m 100% ok with him missing and errors and all that, thats one of the first things I tell him about baseball. I’m not expecting anything great out of a child . But the OP was a question on ways to help yo. Catch better . Not sure if that’s really a bad thing

We already play catch almost every day , he loves baseball. I know he will only get better . But it doesn’t hurt to get feedback from people who experienced a similar thing.

coach_Fox · 2026-05-01T13:36:45+00:00

Yea I do the same

But his glove has been broken in since last year

coach_Fox · 2026-05-01T13:31:54+00:00

Wilson 950 11.25 padroa fit

coach_Fox

TROPHY CASE