Two year hitting streak over......

I appreciate everyone responding. We'll keep it positive like we have for years. We will keep moving forward and continue to get better. No more tears or FRUSTRATED Dad's. I will keep you guys updated as we progress. Thanks again for all the answers. Lesson learned!

Hi DP, and welcome to the HSBB Web!

I like the Chuck E. Cheese idea. Dairy Queen also helps get over those "slumps".

It sounds like your son has great hand-eye coordination.
A couple of things I saw a coach do to improve hitting include:

1) take a 2x6 about 4 or 5 feet long (limit size on your means to transport i.e. trunk or truck?) and tack a small piece of 2x6 (about 4 to 6 inches long) on each end to elevate the long section. Then have the young slugger stand on it and swing at the ball when it is pitched to him. Teaches him to stride correctly or he falls off the board.
2) Also fasten a tire (or cut a square hole in it so it fits) over a 4x4 sunk into the ground so that the tire is in-line with his swing as if swinging at a pitched ball. Set a routine for him to hit the tire to increase his power against the ball. If he pounds the ball like he practices pounding the tire you should see some immediate improvements. Try to plan for his growth over the next few years. This may work for him for several years? Our high school had some of these set up to warm up on before games and practice.

quote:

Originally posted by infielddad:
DP,
Thank you for your responses and having an open mind.
Hopefully this little story about hitting streaks might keep things in perspective:
If you look in the NCAA record books for consecutive game hitting streaks, you will find my son listed in the top 10 of all time, maybe top 5.
Those who remember are myself, our son, our family and his college coach.
Next week, no one is going to remember your son's streak, either. He might remember having an ice cream with Dad, though.

Right on target. I agree with you 100%. Thank you for helping us out. Your words mean a lot to me.

Swing hard everytime, its just machine pitch. Too much "coaching/counseling" at this age will lead to a short "career".

quote:

Originally posted by AL MA 08:
Hi DP, and welcome to the HSBB Web!

I like the Chuck E. Cheese idea. Dairy Queen also helps get over those "slumps".

It sounds like your son has great hand-eye coordination.
A couple of things I saw a coach do to improve hitting include:

1) take a 2x6 about 4 or 5 feet long (limit size on your means to transport i.e. trunk or truck?) and tack a small piece of 2x6 (about 4 to 6 inches long) on each end to elevate the long section. Then have the young slugger stand on it and swing at the ball when it is pitched to him. Teaches him to stride correctly or he falls off the board.
2) Also fasten a tire (or cut a square hole in it so it fits) over a 4x4 sunk into the ground so that the tire is in-line with his swing as if swinging at a pitched ball. Set a routine for him to hit the tire to increase his power against the ball. If he pounds the ball like he practices pounding the tire you should see some immediate improvements. Try to plan for his growth over the next few years. This may work for him for several years? Our high school had some of these set up to warm up on before games and practice.

Thanks for the advice. Sounds like a good routine and station to hit. His hand-eye coordination is out of the world. He scored close to 30 pts in his first basketball game he ever played. The kid can play some golf, too. Thanks again.

quote:

Originally posted by CollegeParent:
Swing hard everytime, its just machine pitch. Too much "coaching/counseling" at this age will lead to a short "career".

I agree. We'll get it going again tonight.

Thanks!

quote:

I like the Chuck E. Cheese idea. Dairy Queen also helps get over those "slumps".

Is there ever a point where this stuff doesn't work? In a high school game last year my son was the tying run at first in a 1st and 3rd situation. He's fast. He was going. He got picked off to end the game. From some loud comments a few parents forgot they were watching high school and not MLB.

Post game takes a while with the post game talk and grooming of the field. I went to the store. When he came out of the dugout I tossed a roll of LifeSavers at him. He chuckled. Then we went to Outback.

quote:

Originally posted by RJM:

quote:

I like the Chuck E. Cheese idea. Dairy Queen also helps get over those "slumps".

Is there ever a point where this stuff doesn't work? In a high school game last year my son was the tying run at first in a 1st and 3rd situation. He's fast. He was going. He got picked off to end the game. From some loud comments a few parents forgot they were watching high school and not MLB.

Post game takes a while with the post game talk and grooming of the field. I went to the store. When he came out of the dugout I tossed a roll of LifeSavers at him. He chuckled. Then we went to Outback.

Mexican Food always makes me feel better. Good call on the Lifesavers. heh

DP,
As you can see, there is no shortage of support here on the website. This is a great place with a lot of great people.

As for you being RH and not being able to help him much, keep one thing in mind, you swing from a mirror image side of the plate from him. Sometimes when you are trying to explain something to a kid, seeing what you are talking about is easier than imagining it. Stand in the opposite batters box and go through the motion and have him imitate you. His mind can visualize it better than if you do it, then have him do it. It's a little trick I learned several years ago coaching 9 and 10 year olds, which worked well.

DP,
As you're probably seeing or realizing for the first time from these posts it's often us parents who need the "instructions" more than our kids! I do like how you seem very willing to listen.

quote:

Originally posted by Three Bagger:
DP,
As you're probably seeing or realizing for the first time from these posts it's often us parents who need the "instructions" more than our kids! I do like how you seem very willing to listen.

Three Bagger,
You're right, I didn't realize how much "instruction," I needed. I'm all ears and have recieved excellent advice and it's much appreciated. I like to do things right and last night, things weren't right. We'll get it right tonight when we take the field. Thanks!

quote:

Originally posted by EC_Dad:
DP,
As you can see, there is no shortage of support here on the website. This is a great place with a lot of great people.

As for you being RH and not being able to help him much, keep one thing in mind, you swing from a mirror image side of the plate from him. Sometimes when you are trying to explain something to a kid, seeing what you are talking about is easier than imagining it. Stand in the opposite batters box and go through the motion and have him imitate you. His mind can visualize it better than if you do it, then have him do it. It's a little trick I learned several years ago coaching 9 and 10 year olds, which worked well.

EC Dad,
I'm really pleased and impressed with all the great responses. I told my wife there are some quality folks on this board. It's hard not to notice. I'll try the mirroring in the opposite box. I can visual how that could help. Appreciate the advice. Thanks!

quote:

Next week, no one is going to remember your son's streak, either. He might remember having an ice cream with Dad, though.

this, by far is the best advice i've read in quite some time. the hard part will be to remember it.

A has been at 7. That is a tough one to swallow.

I find this thread very amusing, I can't
hardly wait until he sees live pitching!

At first I thought I might have the date wrong and maybe it's April 1?????

Where's TRHit when you need him? Would love to see his reply.

This thread is very amusing TPM and I am amazed how polite the replies have been.

Dad, you need to lighten up. He's only 7 after all and has lots of time to grow and play and become serious about baseball. Be careful you don't burn him out with your intensity. Have fun and don't sweat the small stuff.

Kids are just playing a game having fun. Parents take that game and turn it into pressure and the fun soon leaves. The ride home is fun if Jr has a good game. The ride home is he ll if Jr has a bad game. Dad is all smiles if Jr has a good game. He is grumpy and ill if he does not. Soon the player is feeling pressure to please pop and instead of being happy is relieved when he plays well. When he gets older the pressure of having to please pop takes the place of just playing a game and having fun. That is replaced with "Im burned out I dont want to play this year."

When kids are young starting out in the game the ONLY thing that matters is they are having fun and learning to enjoy the game. As they start to grow in the game proper instruction and coaching along with a fun and enjoyable environment is needed to help assist them grow in the game. As they continue down the baseball path they will either have an inner drive to be all they can be in the game or they will see it as a burden.

The fact that anyone noticed or knew a kid that age had a hit streak is hard to fathom for me. The most important thing you can give your son at that age is love and support and encouragement to enjoy the game. He should not be able to tell from your attitude after or during the game if he was ofer or hit for the cycle.

Kids want to please. First and foremost they want to please those they love. They should know they have done that just by being out there and doing their best. I am not picking on you. I think we have all been guilty at some point and time of not having things in the proper perspective. Let it be fun.

WOW - Great, "tempered" responses, not the usual suspects - LOL....

If I may, I have one word that might sum all this up. It's entitlement. Alot of great dads spend lots of money on bats and gloves, drive 1,000s of miles, sleep in 100s of hotels, throw endless hours of BP, etc., helping little Joey be a great player. Just remember, all you are entitled to DP, loving your son! The baseball is just the gravy!

Good luck, we've all (well, some of us) have been there!
GED10DaD

"Fear Strikes Out" - The Jimmy Piersall Story.

It should be required reading for every parent that has a son or daughter competing in the field of athletics - IMO.

quote:

Originally posted by DP:

quote:

Originally posted by CPLZ:
Would there still have been disappointment if no one had been counting?

Yes, there still would have been disappoinment. The entire league knew he had not struck out in 2 years. We didn't count every at bat. We know it was well over a 100 by counting the games. The kids knew and the coaches and the umpires as well. Thanks for responding.

So what you're saying, is that everyone was counting...not necessarily, one, two, three, but everyone was keeping track...probably talking about it...taking notice. Being a proud papa is a great thing, but it comes with some responsibility. It means, taking care to present the right balance of competition and just plain fun and giggles, at 7 years old. My sincerest hope is that you find a better balance than you have so far...it's a problem with many of us. Been there, done that, got a drawer full of t-shirts.

The way it is right now, doesn't sound healthy, to be quite honest. Not at that age. JMHO