eye on ball

Two things I used to do with my son when he was around that age.  I'd tell him to look at the emblem on the pitchers cap and transfer his eyes to the pitchers hand upon release.  Next I'd take 2 baseballs and color one with 8 red dots and another with 8 black dots.  The dots were smaller than a dime.  I'd shout out a color to him - black or red - just prior to my pitch, and if the ball (spots) was that color he could swing.

Here's a tip....

Try standing on the mound with the ball at the release point.  Now, WALK the ball to your 10 yr old using the ANGLE the ball will travel (it's always down).  You focus on his eyes as the ball travels closer to the plate.  He should follow the ball all the way to the mitt (think Wade Boggs).

next, stand about 25' away from him with you on your knees and throwing the ball at the contact zone (he's not swinging).  Again, he should pick up the ball at your release point.  You'll know exactly when he picks up the ball by watching his eyes - eyes generally get bigger when they are focused.

Then, try some whiffle ball toss from about 15'.  Again, you focus more on his eyes than the actual contact.

Another drill I do with my 12U team is for the kids to go thru the rotational/extension portions of their hitting drills, but I'll place a deck of cards on the ground near the opposite corner of the plate.  As they go thru their swing, I'll pull a card and the kids will then read the card.  This keeps their head in thru the contact zone just prior to extension.