Nervous after Injury

I would suggest something that may help. In bp, have a coach throw some in, but don't swing, better yet track the ball very closely with your head and eyes. Get your face down toward the ball and read it all the way back. You can also do this in a batting cage. Then have the coach throw to you and read the ball all the way to the bat, and live with the results. It was definitely a freak occurence and you may never see that again, let alone it happen to you again. If its that serious, you can wear one of those dumb looking helmet masks. You must face this mentally or you may have to walk away from the game, and none of us here would want to see that.

coachric

Great post--- I think what he is facing now is mental and just simply needs to get over the hump---if he does that he will be fine


Mind over matter

You have to remember how many swings youve taken in your life, and how many went into your face. The rarity is outstanding and you can't think about it.

What you need to realize that it takes a one in a million shot to foul one off and break your nose. If Randy Jonhson was nervous about hitting a bird and making it go 'poof' then he'd be having trouble strikes ever since that day - which he obviously hasn't. It's just the reality of things. I have been playing and watching baseball for the past 21 years and I have never seen anyone foul off a pitch into their face.......

The reality is: Randy Johnson has a better chance of hitting a dove with a changeup (he doesn't evne throw a changeup) before you will ever again be hit in the face by even a weakly thrown 85 mph fastball that has benen hit and grounded out to a an infielder.

If you are still worried, then you have no choice but to be a hockey goaltender and where every piece of protective equipment ever, and even THEY only get hit with a puck in the face maybe once during a 90-game season.

I have never seen a foul ball go straight into your face either. I have seen many go off ankles and feet, but none into the face. Bunts are a different story though. I Don't like trying to bunt the ball down the 3 line, since I'm a righty. Unfortunately, even though I am about the slowest guy on the team, and can hit quite well, they have me bunt a lot to move runners because I can consitently get it down the line.

I just want to say thanks to all of you who gave me advice, I used it all, and especially Coachrics batting cage drill really helped. I finished the season on a tear and ended up hittin over .450, hopefully I can keep it up in all-star tournaments. Thanks very much!