Strike zone and age groups.

When my 11 yo finished his very first fall ball season with kids pitching (Dixie Minors 9yo), he had the worst batting average on the team. Dead last. He finished that first fall season batting .037.

He made a decision that he would never finish last again and has been determined to do whatever it takes to improve. Since making that decision, he has hit thousands and thousands of baseballs.

I do not believe that young kids should be encouraged to take pitches in an attempt to get on base. In fact, I believe that they should be encouraged to swing if they believe that they can hit it. Of course they should learn the strike zone and should not chase extreme pitches. But at that young age, I believe that they should learn to swing a bat. Perhaps they will not see a lot of true strikes, but they will see their share of close pitches and should learn how to hit them. From my experience, many of those close pitches will be called strikes anyway.

It's amazing how well a kid can naturally learn the strike zone when they see thousands of pitches. It is also amazing to see their confidence at the plate when they have seen thousands of pitches and know that they can hit them.

IMO there are no shortcuts. You hear many gurus and see many gimmicks, but the best way to learn how to hit a baseball is by hitting a baseball.

R.

My son had a coach in majors that would have them all "take" until the pitcher threw a stike - drove my son nuts looking at very hittable balls go by to say nothing about that he was now in a protect the plate mode.

Coach was a good guy but somewhat clueless.

Some of this can be addressed by the plate umpire providing game management to the strike zone.
The strike zone is bigger for the younger kids (9 & 10 yrs). Any pitch that is hittable is a strike. A pitch that is over the plate and at the arm pits is a strike. You move up an age group and you do not get the pitch.

I taught my two that in youth ball you may only get one pitch in an AB that you can hit. If you take it, you've lost your chance to swing the bat that time. It's a lot easier and more effective to teach aggression at the plate as a pup and then rein them in a little later than to do it the other way.

I have always taught that you are up there ready to swing and you have to make a "no swing" decision.

Hitting Link

Everyone here has got the right idea.
You've got to think "Hit" On every pitch.
You've got to get the umpires to call a bigger zone.
AND with work and repetition zone knowledge will emerge.
Why cant some leagues get it right? (and they wonder why they dont do well at allstars!!!)
Rollerman

Two tournaments ago my son was in swing mode, drove in 5 or 6 runs and hit off the hardest throwing pitcher we've faced. The last tournament he got cautious and walked 5 or 6 times and only drove in 1 run (I called time and told him to hit anything he could reach hard) hitting in the 5 spot. I'll take the aggressive mode anytime. He still gets his share of walks when he's aggressive.

It's all about development....can't really develop into a good hitter unless you work on hitting the ball. I was never a proponent of telling a kid to "take" or "always bunt" because he was a weak hitter. Even when we got the end of the season tourneys in LL. I would rather have a kid try to hit and maybe strike out.

Few things build a greater love of the game at the individual level then hard hit baseball resulting in a base hit.

Callaway...You stated...

I do not believe that young kids should be encouraged to take pitches in an attempt to get on base. In fact, I believe that they should be encouraged to swing if they believe that they can hit it.

What age are you talking Callaway? My son is 11, and has had a pretty good feel for strike zone for quite some time. Sure now and again he chases balls out of the zone, but everyone does...Remember failing 70% of the time is terrific in baseball...

I try to teach my hitters to take pitches, not to gain a walk but to make the pitcher work. I do ask my lead off hitters to see several pitches. They are allowed to swing 0-0 is the ball was served up, but other then that, they are asked to see some pitches and allow the teammates to see his off-speed etc.

Your chances of getting a fat pitch to drive increase the more the pitcher has to throw to a particular batter.

I don't know how many times I have seen a pitcher throw three marginal pitches and get out of the inning...

GnR

Instead of saying "young kids", I should have said "inexperienced young kids". I understand what you are saying and agree that if an 11yo is experienced and knows the strike zone then he/she should wait on their pitch.

My post referred more to the inexperienced hitters and less with age necessarily. I see larger strike zones in the Rec leagues and the more inexperienced hitters will too often watch a "strike" go by when they probably could have hit it.

I would simply rather a young, less experienced hitter, error on the side of "swinging" then on the side of "watching" a called strike. Many youth coaches disagree, that is just my opinion.

R.

I would simply rather a young, less experienced hitter, error on the side of "swinging" then on the side of "watching" a called strike. Many youth coaches disagree, that is just my opinion.

I agree 100%...You gotta swing the bat to learn the game. Having an inexpirenced kid looking for the base on balls or bunting every time he/she gets up is screwing the kid up even more. Not to mention the coach isn't doing his/her job....Teaching...

GnR

I sometimes get tunnel vision and equate all scenarios to the particular scenario I am in with my son.

Coaching sure would be easy if a base on balls was a major fundemental...Tee work wouldn't even require a baseball...

I remember about 10 years ago I was watching my son play a little league game. with the count 3-2 he took one right down the middle. On the way home I in a diplomatic way said that 3-2 pitch looked pretty good he said i wanted to swing but the coach gave me the no swing sign. Amazing

in a diplomatic way said that 3-2 pitch looked pretty good he said i wanted to swing but the coach gave me the no swing sign. Amazing

Wow...3-2 and the take sign...I think thats the first time I have ever heard that, regardless of the situation.

That parent doesn't deserve the title coach.

GnR

Of course his son was the starting shortstop and pitched and led off.

GNR

drop that final line--there is nothing perfect in life , much less baseball

TR...Are you the posts Police?

I stand by my line. Coach is a term earned...

A Real Coach would never have a kid taking on a 3-2 count. A real coach would encourage the kid to apply what he has learned and give it their best shot. A real coach isn't perfect, but he strives for perfection. A real coach lets the kids play the game.

Anyone who has ever walked on the great soil of the United States knows you don't give an intentional take sign on a 3-2. This coach, IMO was looking (Hoping/Praying) for the walk and didn't trust his players ability.

No matter how you slice it, this player should have not been given the take sign at 3-2...

Off all the things we could debate about baseball, you think a take sign on 3-2 is a good debate, and your taking the "take sign" side of the argument...

Please...TR, I'm new in here and was born at night, but it wasn't last night.

Any coach who doesn't let his players play isn't a coach in my book.

GnR

Sorry TR...

I thought you were talking about my line in my post and not my signature...

I thought you were talking about my line...That parent doesn't deserve the title coach.

I re-read and noticed my error...

But, I still stand on my stance...You have your views and I have mine.

I can accept that...Can You?

GnR

GNR

You are and I am also but nothing is perfect--not even close--trust me

I can listen and hear views--I am talking about your statement at the bottem --that is not a view

GnR,
Keep the signature if you want but that is one of those statements with good intentions that is just plain wrong.

Ever seen a kid take their first swing or throw the ball for the first time? They all look bad. Some look good for throwing or swinging the first time but they all look bad.

They don't get better by practicing perfectly. They get better by practicing a little closer to correct and then a little closer again.

Nobody practices perfect. All you can do is practice better and better.

Don't take this too seriously. That statement is just one of my pet peeves.

IMO...

A game without errors is perfection, going 3-3 is perfection. A pitching outing with 3-1 K-BB ratio is perfection...

All of these accomplishments are gained through quality practice.

If your not striving for perfection then what is the goal. If I introduce a technique, and I supervise the players in practicing...We shoot for perfection. Perfection meaning getting the technique 100% correct, not 80% or 90%, but 100%. Perfection is shooting for the stars...Attempt to do everything correctly 100% of the time.

Does that happen...Hell no, like you said...Nobody is a perfect ball player, but if your shooting for 80 or 90 percent perfection, that is what your going to get.

Don't take it too literally...If you shoot for perfection, then your training is never done. If you shoot for mediocrity, then that is what you will get.

GnR