Overcoming the Fear of Being Hit by the Baseball

Overcoming the Fear of Being Hit by the Baseball
By guest author: Jim Bain

Seems all young baseball players want to be a pitcher, the man who controls the game and who is involved in every play of the game. No day dreaming in the outfield if you're pitching.

Ever wonder why very few players want to be a catcher, who being the second half of the pitching battery, is every bit as important and involved as the pitcher?

Ever cross your mind that maybe the players are afraid of being hurt if they became a catcher? That's not to say every player should want to be a catcher or are afraid, but what about the strong armed kid who runs like a tortoise, making him an excellent candidate for the tools of ignorance, but who shivers when you suggest he try it.

Fear of the baseball is not an uncommon issue with younger aged players, for example, some players will give a coach heartburn all season long because they bail out of the batters box as soon as the pitcher releases the ball.

Fear is a natural instinct God gave us to protect ourselves from our own ignorance, but fear of the baseball can be overcome. The coach is charged with that responsibility and it's a hefty one, but totally achievable with a little patience and coaching.

Let's briefly, without getting into a bunch of physiological mumble jumble, look at why a player is afraid of the baseball. Simply put, he's afraid it will hurt if he gets hit. Pretty basic human stuff, no different than you not wanting to hit your thumb with a hammer; it'll hurt.

Obviously our job is to eliminate that fear by showing the player, if properly equipped, getting hit by the baseball will not hurt.

Let's look at a drill specifically designed to eliminate fear of being hit by the baseball for a prospective candidate for the catching position.

A coach, with an accurate throwing arm, is essential for this drill or don't even try it. The drill is intended to eliminate fear, not intensify it, and a badly placed throw could do just that.

Help the player put on his full complement of protective catching gear. Assist even if the player knows how to don the equipment because you want to establish a "I'm with you every step of the way" and there's nothing to fear attitude.

Joking and kidding around with the player is a crucial part of the mental game, as humor replaces fear. A human can not properly experience two conflicting emotions at the same time.

Have the catcher go to the catcher's position behind home plate, but have him stand instead of squatting and instruct him he is not to catch the balls, but rather let them hit him. The coach will stand 20' to 30' in front of him as the pitcher, with a bucket of rubber balls. Do not use tennis balls if possible, they are not as effective for this drill as harder rubber balls are.

This is where accuracy is essential on the coach's part. Begin throwing the rubber balls, at medium speed, at the player hitting him in different parts of his equipment.

After 20 to 30 throws have the catcher assume the squatting position and throw another 20 to 30 pitches hitting him in every piece of equipment, including the mask, as possible.

Most players will overcome their fear of being hurt after one drill session, some require two and others never will adapt. And that's OK. If just one kid overcomes his fear, you have been successful and if nobody overcomes the fear, you've still helped them overcome the fear of being hit by a pitch while batting.

Two requirements to never forget are, an accurate throwing arm is a must and always be sure the player protects his hands during the drill.

Jim (Coach) Bain is a former Minor League Baseball Player and successful Coach of Youth Baseball for over a decade and a half. He has drawn from fellow successful coaches' experiences and combined them with his own extensive experience to create a Baseball Teaching Website. The site is packed with 100s of tips, drills, history and instruction on how to play and coach the game of baseball.
http://www.Learn-Youth-Baseball-Coaching.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jim_Bain

===================
Thanks to our sponsors:

Sponsor Links:
Derek Jeter Hurricane Hitting Machine Demo Video