What is the best way you guys know to get a player to wear a pitch?
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Threaten them with live practice if they can't execute in a game 
A few drills you can do after you teach the proper turn technique...
Use wiffle. Throw alot of RH curves to RH hitters and vice-versa. Hit them several times first. Then start mixing pitches that will hit them with pitches that will fall into the strike zone and have them recognize and either turn and take the hit or swing.
Pitch real baseballs with the hitter standing behind a square screen. Same pitch sequence as previous drill. Have them recognize, turn or swing.
A few drills you can do after you teach the proper turn technique...
Use wiffle. Throw alot of RH curves to RH hitters and vice-versa. Hit them several times first. Then start mixing pitches that will hit them with pitches that will fall into the strike zone and have them recognize and either turn and take the hit or swing.
Pitch real baseballs with the hitter standing behind a square screen. Same pitch sequence as previous drill. Have them recognize, turn or swing.
Why do you want them to "wear a pitch"? IMO, getting HBP should be an accident, not a strategy.
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/news/story?id=6624227
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/news/story?id=6624227
cabbagedad- I like the screen idea, thank you.
NDD- I am sorry if you were a little confused. I am not advocating my players to open up and get hit in the heart. I was talking about allowing the ball to hit you with out getting out of the way. If you still do not agree with that I suggest you also send that link to every team who made the College World Series because I did not see players getting out of the way of the ball.
NDD- I am sorry if you were a little confused. I am not advocating my players to open up and get hit in the heart. I was talking about allowing the ball to hit you with out getting out of the way. If you still do not agree with that I suggest you also send that link to every team who made the College World Series because I did not see players getting out of the way of the ball.
Getting hit in the heart is not the only way to get hurt by getting hit.
6.08
(b) He is touched by a pitched ball which he is not attempting to hit unless
(1) The ball is in the strike zone when it touches the batter, or
(2) The batter makes no attempt to avoid being touched by the ball; If the ball is in the strike zone when it touches the batter, it shall be called a strike, whether or not the batter tries to avoid the ball. If the ball is outside the strike zone when it touches the batter, it shall be called a ball if he makes no attempt to avoid being touched.
No, I do not agree with it because it is against the rules regardless of who did what when. I also do not agree with umpires allowing it to happen.
The Kid took two FBs in the back, right between the numbers, after raking a GRD. It wasn't intentional, he made an effort to get out of the way and wasn't able to. It happens. The pitcher talked to him - after the game. The Kid asked him if it was intentional, he said, "No." they shook hands and it was over.
Getting hit on purpose? Who does that and why?
That's a coaching strategy? Trying to get a kid HBP is a coaching strategy?
Are you a college coach? What age are you trying to teach to get hit?
6.08
(b) He is touched by a pitched ball which he is not attempting to hit unless
(1) The ball is in the strike zone when it touches the batter, or
(2) The batter makes no attempt to avoid being touched by the ball; If the ball is in the strike zone when it touches the batter, it shall be called a strike, whether or not the batter tries to avoid the ball. If the ball is outside the strike zone when it touches the batter, it shall be called a ball if he makes no attempt to avoid being touched.
No, I do not agree with it because it is against the rules regardless of who did what when. I also do not agree with umpires allowing it to happen.
The Kid took two FBs in the back, right between the numbers, after raking a GRD. It wasn't intentional, he made an effort to get out of the way and wasn't able to. It happens. The pitcher talked to him - after the game. The Kid asked him if it was intentional, he said, "No." they shook hands and it was over.
Getting hit on purpose? Who does that and why?
That's a coaching strategy? Trying to get a kid HBP is a coaching strategy?
Are you a college coach? What age are you trying to teach to get hit?
Rule 8 Section 2 NCAA Rules 2011-2012 Rule Book
d. When hit by a pitched ball at which the individual is not attempting to
strike, the ball is immediately dead;
A.R.—If the batter intentionally gets touched by moving or rolling any part of the body
into the pitch, the umpire shall call a strike or ball in accordance with Rules 7-4 and 7-5.
(1) If the batter is hit by a pitch in the strike zone, regardless of whether
he swings at it or not, the ball is immediately dead, the pitch is a
strike, no runners may advance and the batter is not awarded first
base.
(2) If the batter makes no attempt to avoid being touched by the ball and
the pitch is out of the strike zone, the pitch shall be called a ball. The
ball is dead, no runners may advance and the batter is not awarded
first base unless the pitch is ball four.
A.R.—If the batter freezes and is hit by a pitch that is clearly inside the vertical lines of
the batter’s box, the ball is dead and the batter is awarded first base.
(3) If the batter intentionally gets touched by moving or rolling any part
of his body into the pitch and the batter does not swing, the ball is
immediately dead; the umpire shall call a strike or ball in accordance
with 7-4b and 7-5a.
(4) If the pitch is ball four, the batter shall be awarded first base and
credited for being hit by the pitch (the ball is immediately dead).
d. When hit by a pitched ball at which the individual is not attempting to
strike, the ball is immediately dead;
A.R.—If the batter intentionally gets touched by moving or rolling any part of the body
into the pitch, the umpire shall call a strike or ball in accordance with Rules 7-4 and 7-5.
(1) If the batter is hit by a pitch in the strike zone, regardless of whether
he swings at it or not, the ball is immediately dead, the pitch is a
strike, no runners may advance and the batter is not awarded first
base.
(2) If the batter makes no attempt to avoid being touched by the ball and
the pitch is out of the strike zone, the pitch shall be called a ball. The
ball is dead, no runners may advance and the batter is not awarded
first base unless the pitch is ball four.
A.R.—If the batter freezes and is hit by a pitch that is clearly inside the vertical lines of
the batter’s box, the ball is dead and the batter is awarded first base.
(3) If the batter intentionally gets touched by moving or rolling any part
of his body into the pitch and the batter does not swing, the ball is
immediately dead; the umpire shall call a strike or ball in accordance
with 7-4b and 7-5a.
(4) If the pitch is ball four, the batter shall be awarded first base and
credited for being hit by the pitch (the ball is immediately dead).
I am not confused.
quote:If you still do not agree with that I suggest you also send that link to every team who made the College World Series because I did not see players getting out of the way of the ball.
I just looked at your profile, it says you have been a HS baseball coach for 11 years. And then I read this and I wonder "Why the question? What is he planning on making some other person's kid do?"
Coaching is a sacred responsibility. A single word from a coach at the right or wrong time can completely change the course of a kid's career if not life. A negative word from an unthinking coach is like a whip on the back of a HS ball player.
I have seen many cases of coaches on a quest for a plastic trophy suck the love of the game from what were previously good players and even better kids.
I am not saying that's what you are doing, I don't know you. But again the question, "Why the question?"
Instead of teaching a kid how to get hit (which is against the rules and if intentional is therefore cheating), why don't you teach the kid how to hit. Instead of standing on first with a bruised back, maybe he'll be standing on 2nd with 2 RBIs.
Let's start here.
Second....I am not advocating leaning out over the plate or even leaning into a pitch. What I am simply advocating or asking about is how do you get a player to not jump out of the way.
Look here comes the ball right at me I am going to turn and get hit instead of jumping out of the way. I do not know about you but personally I do not like to see players jump out of the way and I do not think it is safe. I have never seen a kid get hit by a pitch correctly get severely injured. However, I have seen kids jump out of the way and get severely injured and I am not talking a bruised hand like you are bringing up. I have seen broke hands.
I do not see this as some issue that has no morals behind it or is in the quest to get some plastic trophy. BTW.....Section title trophies are not plastic (TOTALLY A JOKE)
I would ask my own son to do this. I would never ask a player to do something I would not expect of my own son.quote:What is he planning on making some other person's kid do
Second....I am not advocating leaning out over the plate or even leaning into a pitch. What I am simply advocating or asking about is how do you get a player to not jump out of the way.
Look here comes the ball right at me I am going to turn and get hit instead of jumping out of the way. I do not know about you but personally I do not like to see players jump out of the way and I do not think it is safe. I have never seen a kid get hit by a pitch correctly get severely injured. However, I have seen kids jump out of the way and get severely injured and I am not talking a bruised hand like you are bringing up. I have seen broke hands.
I do not see this as some issue that has no morals behind it or is in the quest to get some plastic trophy. BTW.....Section title trophies are not plastic (TOTALLY A JOKE)
quote:Taking one for the Team
quote:What is the best way you guys know to get a player to wear a pitch?
I don't know much about southern California, but everywhere else I have been that means getting hit on purpose.
And now we are going to discuss how to get a player to protect himself when HBP is unavoidable?
quote:College World Series because I did not see players getting out of the way of the ball.
So they were intentionally not getting out of the way of the ball? I agree, I watched it too.
Going to the plate looking to get hit is, IMO, bush. It is the mark of a weak hitter that can't get on base any other way. Or if told to do it the mark of a desperate coach that cares more about the plastic than the players. We take it if it comes, we don't look for it. And we definitely don't teach or tell our kids to do it. We do teach them how to protect themselves.
There was a radio announcer a while back that criticized pro players for "jumping out of the way". So they challenged him and to his credit, he got in the box. He'll never do it again.
Real easy to stand in the dugout and demand it. Not so easy to be told "Forget about all that time and effort you spent learning how to hit and just stand there."
I am not talking about bruised hands nor do I see how broken hands happen without swinging or at least starting a swing - unless they just stand there and make no attempt to do anything. It could happen I suppose.
Have a nice day.
quote:I would ask my own son to do this. I would never ask a player to do something I would not expect of my own son.
Ask your son to do what?
Here's an idea. Put your hardest thrower on the mound and let him drill you in the back 3-4 times while the team watches. Don't show any reaction, just stand there. If they see the coach do it, maybe they'll stop jumping out of the way,
quote:So they were intentionally not getting out of the way of the ball? I agree, I watched it too.
Which by the way is against the rules as I showed above.
Again thank you cabbagedad for being able to have a rational conversation and giving me some advice.
So my idea was irrational? Or was it following the rules?
It is an emotional filled response and in my opinion, not knowing you, one brought on because you are a father and you would rather see your kid jump out of the way of a pitch and then hit a double than because that makes him look better statistically.
I am not stating anything that is against the rules. I own the box, the box is mine as a hitter. If I roll away from the pitch this is completely legal. This is all that I am advocating and I was looking for advice as to how to get this ingrained in my players. In no way am I stating stick your knee out, roll in, stick your elbow out. All I am asking is roll on the pitch if it is at you so you do not get jumpy. Because guess what, if I am jumping at pitches at me I can not hit a curve ball because curve ball start at you. I will also be timid on an inside fastballs.
I tried to stop the debate because it is not getting anywhere not because you are irrational or because your right or wrong.
If you believe you are right great. Like I said before I got good advice from someone else.
I am not stating anything that is against the rules. I own the box, the box is mine as a hitter. If I roll away from the pitch this is completely legal. This is all that I am advocating and I was looking for advice as to how to get this ingrained in my players. In no way am I stating stick your knee out, roll in, stick your elbow out. All I am asking is roll on the pitch if it is at you so you do not get jumpy. Because guess what, if I am jumping at pitches at me I can not hit a curve ball because curve ball start at you. I will also be timid on an inside fastballs.
I tried to stop the debate because it is not getting anywhere not because you are irrational or because your right or wrong.
If you believe you are right great. Like I said before I got good advice from someone else.
quote:Originally posted by NDD:
Why do you want them to "wear a pitch"? IMO, getting HBP should be an accident, not a strategy.
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/news/story?id=6624227
NDD,
I'm not sure if we are just misunderstanding because of symantics...
It is very common practice at just about every level of baseball, certainly HS and up, to learn how to turn properly and "wear a pitch". It is done for many reasons. To AVOID injury such as the one on the link you put up here, to take a base when the pitcher makes a mistake and gives you one, and as part of proper hitting technique. If you jump out of the way for every pitch that starts at your body, you'll never be able to hit past JV. You must be willing to hold your ground and read the pitch until you determine if that ball coming at your torso or head is going to dart in across the plate for a strike or continue at you. Certainly, if it is a FB and continues toward your head, you duck or back your head out. But you're usually not going to have time to jump out of the way for one at your torso unless you decide really early, which will prevent you from being able to hit breaking balls that start inside. So if it's going to hit you, you learn to turn inward, not in toward the plate but rotationally, so that if the pitch hits you, it will hit you on the meaty part of the side of your body (thigh, lat, butt, glance off the arm)instead of the front or the hands or directly to the spine.
Now, if you are talking about deliberately reaching toward the strike zone or toward the ball (illegal, but a few teams teach cheat methods), I agree, this is bush. I don't think this is what OP is talking about.
We just finished a HS summer tourney game today and part of the post-game speech was directed at a player/hitter who spun wildly to avoid a pitch. "You gotta wear that" is what was shouted out by several in the stands and all his teammates and coaches. Everyone in the ballpark, including the player himself would agree.
And yes, I've seen the sportscaster clip and yes, I've been drilled hundreds of times myself. It's the right thing to do in the right situation. It's part of the game just as much as sliding hard to break up a DP, holding your ground in the batters box when your teammate is stealing 2nd, diving hard for a grounder even when you know the infield is gonna tear your skin up, etc.,etc.
Umpires worth thier salt understand that the hitter must reasonably hold his ground while reading the pitch, so will usually allow for the properly executed "turn and wear it". Of course, they won't if the player moves toward the ball or makes no attempt to turn or move away at all, depending on the type of pitch.
Turn in to protect yourself. Jumping out of the way can cause more injuries than getting hit. Leaping up in the air to avoid a low pitch in the dirt? Leaping out of the batters box on a ball thrown in your batters box? Is there enough time to properly avoid getting hit in all these cases?
Turn in and if it hits you take your base. Never try to get hit. But never avoid getting hit when your properly attempting to turn in and avoid injury.
You want hitters to stay on the ball as long as they can. To watch it as long as they can watch it. By teaching them to turn in your teaching them to hold their ground and stay in there to the last split second. Imagine a kid who bails to avoid getting hit everytime a cb slider 2 seamer is thrown at their front leg. Imagine a hitter who holds his ground and sees it as long as he can and then at the last moment turns in to avoid getting hurt and takes it or it just misses him.
Imagine a pitcher who is pitching to a kid who bails on pitches? Imagine that same pitcher knowing that the hitter is not going to bail but simply turn it.
There is no way a kid can learn to hit by having the mindset that he needs to avoid being hit with a baseball. You simply turn in and if it hits you it hits you and you take your base. Kids that have part of their approach to make sure they get out of the way of being hit will never be hitters. Never.
Jumping back to avoid getting hit gets some kids hit. And usually its not pretty. Jumping back to avoid getting hit on a 2 seamer up and in that rides on in and hits them in the jaw as they are jumping back to avoid getting hit. Seen it a few times. If they had not worried about getting hit and simply turned in they would have worn it on the back and took their base. Instead of taking their place in the ambulance on the way to the hospital.
Coaches teach turning in so it becomes an instinctive reaction in a split second of time. So they dont get hurt trying to not get hit. Teach kids the proper way to "wear a pitch." Its for their saftey first. Leaning back, jumping back, trying to avoid getting hit gets you hurt.
Turn in and if it hits you take your base. Never try to get hit. But never avoid getting hit when your properly attempting to turn in and avoid injury.
You want hitters to stay on the ball as long as they can. To watch it as long as they can watch it. By teaching them to turn in your teaching them to hold their ground and stay in there to the last split second. Imagine a kid who bails to avoid getting hit everytime a cb slider 2 seamer is thrown at their front leg. Imagine a hitter who holds his ground and sees it as long as he can and then at the last moment turns in to avoid getting hurt and takes it or it just misses him.
Imagine a pitcher who is pitching to a kid who bails on pitches? Imagine that same pitcher knowing that the hitter is not going to bail but simply turn it.
There is no way a kid can learn to hit by having the mindset that he needs to avoid being hit with a baseball. You simply turn in and if it hits you it hits you and you take your base. Kids that have part of their approach to make sure they get out of the way of being hit will never be hitters. Never.
Jumping back to avoid getting hit gets some kids hit. And usually its not pretty. Jumping back to avoid getting hit on a 2 seamer up and in that rides on in and hits them in the jaw as they are jumping back to avoid getting hit. Seen it a few times. If they had not worried about getting hit and simply turned in they would have worn it on the back and took their base. Instead of taking their place in the ambulance on the way to the hospital.
Coaches teach turning in so it becomes an instinctive reaction in a split second of time. So they dont get hurt trying to not get hit. Teach kids the proper way to "wear a pitch." Its for their saftey first. Leaning back, jumping back, trying to avoid getting hit gets you hurt.
quote:Originally posted by IEBSBL:
It is an emotional filled response and in my opinion, not knowing you, one brought on because you are a father and you would rather see your kid jump out of the way of a pitch and then hit a double than because that makes him look better statistically.
I am not stating anything that is against the rules. I own the box, the box is mine as a hitter. If I roll away from the pitch this is completely legal. This is all that I am advocating and I was looking for advice as to how to get this ingrained in my players. In no way am I stating stick your knee out, roll in, stick your elbow out. All I am asking is roll on the pitch if it is at you so you do not get jumpy. Because guess what, if I am jumping at pitches at me I can not hit a curve ball because curve ball start at you. I will also be timid on an inside fastballs.
I tried to stop the debate because it is not getting anywhere not because you are irrational or because your right or wrong.
If you believe you are right great. Like I said before I got good advice from someone else.
Yes, I am a father. I am also a coach. I don't care about statistics. I care about the players and the game and playing it the right way. My responses are not emotion filled, they are in response to what I read, including the thread title. Emotion has nothing to do with the rule book. They were also based on me being told to send my link to the teams in the CWS.
cabbagedad, Coach May,
It is quite obvious to me that the intent of the question evolved after my first response. I don't disagree with anything either one of you said, I teach it myself, which is why The Kid took them in the back. Unfortunately that particular pitcher had a bit of late movement on his fastball.
I respect you both and so will bow out of the conversation.
I leave you with this:
It is quite obvious to me that the intent of the question evolved after my first response. I don't disagree with anything either one of you said, I teach it myself, which is why The Kid took them in the back. Unfortunately that particular pitcher had a bit of late movement on his fastball.
I respect you both and so will bow out of the conversation.
I leave you with this:
quote:I was talking about allowing the ball to hit you with out getting out of the way.
No problem NDD. If the op was talking about teaching kids "to get hit" thats bush. If he was talking about teaching them how to deal with pitches that are going to hit you thats where my post comes in.
quote:Getting hit in the heart is not the only way to get hurt by getting hit.
I have made two trips to the emergency room as a patient myself. Both times were results of getting HBP. Both times were baseballs to the face.
Coach_May Like I tried to explain to NDD earlier I was not trying to get my players to get hit. My objective is to get my younger player's to learn how to roll on a pitch that are going to hit you as opposed to jumping out of the way. He has decided to take bits and pieces and decide for himself what my intent was.
Getting hit by a pitch is part of the game. Really don't know why this thread got heated in any way. If the pitch comes at you, turn. Practice with wiffle balls or tennis balls. If the ball is coming at your head, do everything you can to get it out of the way. Turn your face away from the ball, toward the backstop.
Tragedies will happen, but you can't throw them out there whenever somebody asks a question. You play and you can get hurt or worse. I hit a foul ball off my eye when I was 12... should I have stopped swinging?
0-2 against a nasty pitcher... he throws a pitch inside you better believe I'm wearing it.
Tragedies will happen, but you can't throw them out there whenever somebody asks a question. You play and you can get hurt or worse. I hit a foul ball off my eye when I was 12... should I have stopped swinging?
0-2 against a nasty pitcher... he throws a pitch inside you better believe I'm wearing it.
Getting hit by a pitch on purpose is not part of the game for those that respect the game. It is against the rules and telling a player to do it is cheating.
So when somebody asks a question about how to get players to get HBP on purpose, I can't post a case where a youth player was hit by a pitch and killed to show why getting hit by a pitch on purpose is a very bad idea? Oh yes I can.
If you were hit in the eye trying to get HBP, should you stop trying to get HBP?
It was patently obvious what the OP was asking, both in the OP and the subsequent flippant response to my question as to the motive. And then it all changed.
Nowhere was the question asked, "How do I teach my players to protect themselves from HBP?" Oh no, it was
No sir. Not given that profile.
So when somebody asks a question about how to get players to get HBP on purpose, I can't post a case where a youth player was hit by a pitch and killed to show why getting hit by a pitch on purpose is a very bad idea? Oh yes I can.
If you were hit in the eye trying to get HBP, should you stop trying to get HBP?
It was patently obvious what the OP was asking, both in the OP and the subsequent flippant response to my question as to the motive. And then it all changed.
Nowhere was the question asked, "How do I teach my players to protect themselves from HBP?" Oh no, it was
"allowing". "With out getting out of the way." "Taking one for the team". And if I don't like it (my question about it as a coaching strategy), I can send my link to the teams in the CWS because they do it too.quote:I was talking about allowing the ball to hit you with out getting out of the way
No sir. Not given that profile.
Perhaps if you had said that rather than what you did I would already be gone, but that's not what you said is it? Yeah, I took bits and pieces - the thread title and your first two posts.quote:Originally posted by IEBSBL:
Coach_May Like I tried to explain to NDD earlier I was not trying to get my players to get hit. My objective is to get my younger player's to learn how to roll on a pitch that are going to hit you as opposed to jumping out of the way. He has decided to take bits and pieces and decide for himself what my intent was.
Have a nice day.
One more thing, my son has been HBP 12 times in 2011 in about 30 games, usually against older competition and not counting bounces that nick a leg. He has been knocked to his knees by pitches in the back a couple of times.
The day a coach, any coach, tells him to get hit is the last day he plays for that coach. And if I find out about it I will do everything I can to make sure that's the last day that coach coaches anybody.
The day a coach, any coach, tells him to get hit is the last day he plays for that coach. And if I find out about it I will do everything I can to make sure that's the last day that coach coaches anybody.
I never will understand why some LL and even BL coaches try and tell a kid (especially one who may not necessarily hit well or be the gutsiest player on the team) to let it hit them... I understand the concept, and I can understand that a free base is always better than a strike out, but the logic and reason seem askew.
For instance if the pitcher has enough control to strike the batter out what is the likelihood he will actually hit the batter anyway? Secondly, last I heard a deliberate action to get hit by the ball does not get you a base nor does refusing to move if you can. Lastly telling a kid to take one from a kid throwing upwards of 75 is a lesson in futility with 70% or more players.
Can't remember the last time I saw a big leaguer stand in and take one that he could get away from. Those guys are worth a lot more taking the K and trying again than being out with a deep bruise or injury for a few games.
I was hit quite a few times as a player and seen my share of kids getting it, its a nice relief to hear "way to take one for the team" on your way to first but its little consolation when you have a bruised shoulder from it. I was never asked to let myself get hit, I was fortunate to have a high average and good power. But I remember some of our EH and Subs being asked to and although a few got hit it was rarely cause they wanted it to happen. I often wondered why that job was relegated to the lower hitters.
Thats just my opinion anyway.
For instance if the pitcher has enough control to strike the batter out what is the likelihood he will actually hit the batter anyway? Secondly, last I heard a deliberate action to get hit by the ball does not get you a base nor does refusing to move if you can. Lastly telling a kid to take one from a kid throwing upwards of 75 is a lesson in futility with 70% or more players.
Can't remember the last time I saw a big leaguer stand in and take one that he could get away from. Those guys are worth a lot more taking the K and trying again than being out with a deep bruise or injury for a few games.
I was hit quite a few times as a player and seen my share of kids getting it, its a nice relief to hear "way to take one for the team" on your way to first but its little consolation when you have a bruised shoulder from it. I was never asked to let myself get hit, I was fortunate to have a high average and good power. But I remember some of our EH and Subs being asked to and although a few got hit it was rarely cause they wanted it to happen. I often wondered why that job was relegated to the lower hitters.
Thats just my opinion anyway.
One more issue. A coach who orders a kid hit is committing a crime. It is both a criminal and civil assault. I would suggest to coaches they don't encourage "pay back."
Experienced older hitters will learn to reach base anyway they can in tough situations. No one has to tell them what Bobby posted above. If a pitcher gives them an opportunity to reach when they are in a tough spot they will take advantage of it. Its called being a ball player.
Players need to be taught how to stay in there. How to hold their ground and see the ball as deep as possible. Because of this they need to be taught how to take a pitch when they have to. Turning in to avoid injury. There not being taught to get hit. There being taught "how" to get hit.
If a coach is telling kids to get hit and teaching them to intentionally get hit "leaning over the plate" "stepping into pitches" etc etc its wrong. Players who are older and experienced don't need to be taught in a 0-2 count with the bases loaded with 2 outs down by 1 in the bottom of the 9th that a pitch that is thrown at them is not a pitch you jump away from and try to avoid. You take it and there is not a second thought about it.
Its basic baseball common sense. Isn't it? Learning how to turn it and see it deep is essential for a hitter to learn. Otherwise they simply bail. And they will never be a hitter. If your afraid of getting hit you will never be a hitter. So simply teach kids the proper way.
Players need to be taught how to stay in there. How to hold their ground and see the ball as deep as possible. Because of this they need to be taught how to take a pitch when they have to. Turning in to avoid injury. There not being taught to get hit. There being taught "how" to get hit.
If a coach is telling kids to get hit and teaching them to intentionally get hit "leaning over the plate" "stepping into pitches" etc etc its wrong. Players who are older and experienced don't need to be taught in a 0-2 count with the bases loaded with 2 outs down by 1 in the bottom of the 9th that a pitch that is thrown at them is not a pitch you jump away from and try to avoid. You take it and there is not a second thought about it.
Its basic baseball common sense. Isn't it? Learning how to turn it and see it deep is essential for a hitter to learn. Otherwise they simply bail. And they will never be a hitter. If your afraid of getting hit you will never be a hitter. So simply teach kids the proper way.
Coach May,
I'm glad you're participating in this thread, IMO the gentleman that posted originally on this subject simply used the wrong words in his subject line. I've been reading the responses and wanted to chime in, but I didn't want to be perceived as a dad that condoned getting hit purposely or..."Taking one for the Team". However, I understand what IEBSBL was asking.
When my son was playing youth baseball, I'll admit I was nervous for him and the other players on our travel/rec teams. The kids didn't get out of the way properly. In fact, my son hit another player in the face and fractured his jaw as a nine year old. It was terrible, and my son felt awful, as did I. If he had turned away towards the backstop, it would have hit the back of his helmet and he'd likely been okay. The young man that unfortunately lost his life after being struck in the heart earlier this year, more than likely turned the wrong way as well? There are certainly times when you CAN NOT get out of the way, and you need to know how to Get Hit properly. The drills that cabbagedad mentioned are very appropriate, especially for younger players that are still learning the game.
There is a school in our league that does everything right and they're always in the race for the league crown. They throw strikes, and play solid fundamental defense. Offensively, they hit and run, bunt, hit behind runners, steal, aggressively take the extra base, they're basically not afraid to give themselves up for the Team, and yes...they get hit ALOT! As Coach May said in his last post, if it's an 0-2 count on the batter in the last inning down by 1 run with the bases loaded, you better believe their hitter's didn't move on an inside pitch. Obviously a pitch above the shoulders is an entirely different story...but you understand where I'm coming from, and I GUARANTEE that their coaching staff taught these boys How To Get Hit Properly.
I do agree that if a coach at any level/age asks a player to go Bad News Bears and step into a pitch purposely and "Take one for the Team" needs to get a b u t t kicking! But...IMHO, kids do need to learn how to get hit properly...it could save them from serious injury in the future.
I'm glad you're participating in this thread, IMO the gentleman that posted originally on this subject simply used the wrong words in his subject line. I've been reading the responses and wanted to chime in, but I didn't want to be perceived as a dad that condoned getting hit purposely or..."Taking one for the Team". However, I understand what IEBSBL was asking.
When my son was playing youth baseball, I'll admit I was nervous for him and the other players on our travel/rec teams. The kids didn't get out of the way properly. In fact, my son hit another player in the face and fractured his jaw as a nine year old. It was terrible, and my son felt awful, as did I. If he had turned away towards the backstop, it would have hit the back of his helmet and he'd likely been okay. The young man that unfortunately lost his life after being struck in the heart earlier this year, more than likely turned the wrong way as well? There are certainly times when you CAN NOT get out of the way, and you need to know how to Get Hit properly. The drills that cabbagedad mentioned are very appropriate, especially for younger players that are still learning the game.
There is a school in our league that does everything right and they're always in the race for the league crown. They throw strikes, and play solid fundamental defense. Offensively, they hit and run, bunt, hit behind runners, steal, aggressively take the extra base, they're basically not afraid to give themselves up for the Team, and yes...they get hit ALOT! As Coach May said in his last post, if it's an 0-2 count on the batter in the last inning down by 1 run with the bases loaded, you better believe their hitter's didn't move on an inside pitch. Obviously a pitch above the shoulders is an entirely different story...but you understand where I'm coming from, and I GUARANTEE that their coaching staff taught these boys How To Get Hit Properly.
I do agree that if a coach at any level/age asks a player to go Bad News Bears and step into a pitch purposely and "Take one for the Team" needs to get a b u t t kicking! But...IMHO, kids do need to learn how to get hit properly...it could save them from serious injury in the future.
THANK YOU!!!
quote:Originally posted by IEBSBL:
What is the best way you guys know to get a player to wear a pitch?
I don't know if this will work for HS kids but it works great for 12 and under. In every bucket of balls I have 4 or 5 of those Easton incredeballs. During BP if I grab one of those it goes directly at the batter. They learn to turn away and protect vs putting their hand out or backing up toward the catcher (which always gets them hit). Anyway its a good way to get reps at it with out it hurting. It eventually just becomes a habit.
I don't know where the idea came from that certain players using the HBP as part of their offensive scheme is bush or unprofessional. It has been part of the Major League game since at least the 1890's, from players such as Ty Cobb wearing extra baggie jerseys to Ron Hunt being hit fifty times in one season, to Don Baylor, Minny Minoso, and Craig Biggio being hit twenty plus times a season multiple times each. The whole point is to learn how to properly take the hit as has been described in earlier posts. My son's college coach wants to lead the nation in hit by pitches and the team has over 100 HBP's most years. They had 9 in one game two years ago and 11 in a game last year. On his team players are not to get out of the way unless it's to the head or the ankle. I went outside one day and my son was having his seventeen year old brother throw multiple pitches at him while he practiced turning the right way. I'm not sure I agree with carrying it that far but some coaches in college do use it as a viable part of their offense. I know I was always going to take a hit when I was down 0-2 and as a leadoff batter was always right on top of the plate. You teach a player to take a HBP properly, not INSTEAD of teaching him to hit, but in ADDITION to being able to hit.
I want guys going to the plate with the midset they want to hit. They are going to go up there and find a good pitch to drive hard somewhere. If they don't get their pitch then I want them to be able to work a base on balls. I also want them to be confident in the fact that when a pitch comes into the batters box they know how to properly protect themselves. If they get hit then they get hit but they at least get hit in a way that minimizes the chance of getting hurt.
I will NEVER tell a guy to go up there and try to have a pitch to hit him on purpose. But if that pitchs comes into their area then I hope they do what's best for the team and get on base. If they don't then nothing's changed - I expect them to get a hit or a walk or hit with the next pitch that comes into the batters box. Regardless they will know how to protect themselves.
I will NEVER tell a guy to go up there and try to have a pitch to hit him on purpose. But if that pitchs comes into their area then I hope they do what's best for the team and get on base. If they don't then nothing's changed - I expect them to get a hit or a walk or hit with the next pitch that comes into the batters box. Regardless they will know how to protect themselves.
quote:My son's college coach wants to lead the nation in hit by pitches
What school is this?
Agreedquote:Originally posted by coach2709:
I want guys going to the plate with the midset they want to hit. They are going to go up there and find a good pitch to drive hard somewhere. If they don't get their pitch then I want them to be able to work a base on balls. I also want them to be confident in the fact that when a pitch comes into the batters box they know how to properly protect themselves. If they get hit then they get hit but they at least get hit in a way that minimizes the chance of getting hurt.
I will NEVER tell a guy to go up there and try to have a pitch to hit him on purpose. But if that pitchs comes into their area then I hope they do what's best for the team and get on base. If they don't then nothing's changed - I expect them to get a hit or a walk or hit with the next pitch that comes into the batters box. Regardless they will know how to protect themselves.
My son is known for "wearing pitches". Its called being not afraid to be hit by the pitch. Your best hitters do not try and get out of the way unless its at the head. A hitters first reaction should be to roll with the pitch. If his first reaction is too jump back or get on his heals he will be lost and will have a hard time with the breaking ball. When my son was younger I would throw him BP and without him knowing, I would mix in a fake baseball (the ones used with the Wilson "Hitting streak" pitching machine) at throw it at him. Now it is second nature to him and his first reaction is too roll with the pitch. I believe the OP was just asking for advice on the best way to teach a player to wear the pitch when required.
Three Bagger,
Why is it that you want to equate amateur kids from 5 to 25 with ML players? Those guys get paid to play the game differently, and they do. Throwing at batters is part of the ML game. But don’t you think the pitchers at that level have a little bit better idea about where the ball will go, and the batters are better schooled in how to take getting hit, not to mention the armor some of them wear? And how about taking out a fielder trying to turn a DP. That’s part of the ML game too, but don’t you think there’s a rule against it for HS ball and for most other amateur venues for a reason?
Getting plastered on booze, taking uppers and downers, and for sure PEDs are part of the ML game as well, and aren’t you thrilled that so many kids emulate those guys? How about chewing, cursing, and Lord knows what other things full grown, very rich adults do? Why not just allow the players to do those things as well?
Kids are NOT miniature adults, and people who treat them as such are really not doing the players or the game any good.
Why is it that you want to equate amateur kids from 5 to 25 with ML players? Those guys get paid to play the game differently, and they do. Throwing at batters is part of the ML game. But don’t you think the pitchers at that level have a little bit better idea about where the ball will go, and the batters are better schooled in how to take getting hit, not to mention the armor some of them wear? And how about taking out a fielder trying to turn a DP. That’s part of the ML game too, but don’t you think there’s a rule against it for HS ball and for most other amateur venues for a reason?
Getting plastered on booze, taking uppers and downers, and for sure PEDs are part of the ML game as well, and aren’t you thrilled that so many kids emulate those guys? How about chewing, cursing, and Lord knows what other things full grown, very rich adults do? Why not just allow the players to do those things as well?
Kids are NOT miniature adults, and people who treat them as such are really not doing the players or the game any good.
quote:Kids are NOT miniature adults, and people who treat them as such are really not doing the players or the game any good.
