Coach Waltrip my son was a good hitter growing up but not a great hitter but when he got to high schoo an pitching became more the love his hitting skills were not important to him. I believe most pitchers know when they get to high school which position is going to be their ticket to college. So my son decided to make a push more on pitching,so of course the hitting skills started to go.He can still handle the bat as well as some of the avg hitters on the team but the work ethic isnt there as it is in the pitching area, so this became is decision and the coach still gives him batting practice to keep is eye so he will be able to be some what competive at the plate for the team. So it reallycomes down to the young man knowing where he will be most valuable to the team, and i believe most of them make the right choice. Good Luck coach i hope this will help alittle along with the other responses of the members here. Have a great season