Newarcher Posted January 15, 2007 Report Share Posted January 15, 2007 Well, I just spend $130 signing my son up for little league baseball......7 & 8 year old child pitch. He has never played LL before...but he did do a peanut league where they taught them basic skills. He hits okay and needs fielding work but I practice with him when I can get him to focus on it enough. VERY short attention span. He is also so big for his age that he is uncoordinated and not very fast. So I am looking for tips....I am okay with not having a super star but I remember from my days playing LL that the kids, even on your own team, can be rough on players who are less skilled than themselves. Any tips? Suggestions? Etc? I anticipate at least one or two fights between myself and some butthead parent who moans when my kid comes up to bat or yells at him when he makes a fielding error. I want him to achieve his best but more than anything don't want it to be a humiliating experience. I feel much like....no exactly like....Steve Martin in the movie parenthood. New Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Andrea Posted January 15, 2007 Report Share Posted January 15, 2007 Re: Little league tips? Good luck New. My husband has been coaching my youngest son since he was 4. They went to the World Series in Texas when he was 6. He loves it. All I can say is.......work with him at home as much as you can. If he doesn't like it, don't force him, and try not to kill the anal parent that will ALWAYS be at every little league game. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DU_man_84 Posted January 15, 2007 Report Share Posted January 15, 2007 Re: Little league tips? [ QUOTE ] If he doesn't like it, don't force him, [/ QUOTE ] andrea is right here i think thats a big tip, dont push your kid to the limit like some parents do, they put to much pressure on the kid and they are to young for it, just encourage him to have fun and do his best Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Newarcher Posted January 15, 2007 Author Report Share Posted January 15, 2007 Re: Little league tips? Definitely no forcing here...execpt that he sees the season through to completion. We aren't the 'how could you strike out' parents. I am just very fearful that he will be made fun of by his peers or have some embarrassing thing happen (i.e. drop the game winning out). He is an odd little fellah right now. He is happy to be part of the team but will probably end up being a bench rider. He seems more content to watch the other kids excel at something. His main problem is confidence. Some kids are just aggressive little tykes but he is very apprehensive at times and really just doesn't have the killer instinct. I would like for him to have some more confidence and drive towards whatever his goal is....be it a soccer goal or a base hit, etc. New Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tominator Posted January 15, 2007 Report Share Posted January 15, 2007 Re: Little league tips? 7 and 8 year olds. 7 and 8 year olds. Just keep saying that to yourself. They're 7 and 8 years old. If any parent gets into a fight or moans about 7 or 8 year olds, IMHO, they've got some issues in life. Relax, have fun, it's not the World Series. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Newarcher Posted January 15, 2007 Author Report Share Posted January 15, 2007 Re: Little league tips? [ QUOTE ] 7 and 8 year olds. 7 and 8 year olds. Just keep saying that to yourself. They're 7 and 8 years old. If any parent gets into a fight or moans about 7 or 8 year olds, IMHO, they've got some issues in life. Relax, have fun, it's not the World Series. [/ QUOTE ] Are you saying I have issues? I am the king of good sportage and encourage everyone's child. I would never moan or belittle a child for any reason. However, there are some that just will act like little Johnny is the greatest thing since sliced bread and that all the other teammates are just getting in his way. My son is a great kid but he isn't the go-to guy...maybe that will change and maybe that won't. He is a good support person....not someone who wants to be tasked with winning or losing the game. New Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whitetailtrax Posted January 15, 2007 Report Share Posted January 15, 2007 Re: Little league tips? I absolutely love our little league program here. We do machine pitch until they are 9 which I totally agree with. I have been coaching for many years and there are few 7-8 year olds that can consistently get the ball across the plate. We don't even keep score for the first few years and give each kid a reasonable number of pitches (5-7) to get a hit. I have found MOST youngsters are very supportive of the kids that aren't quite as talented and routinely cheer them on. This is Montana though and I think people in different parts of the county take these things more seriously. They will have many years of competitive sports in high school - I say keep it fun and simple for the little kids! jmo. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Newarcher Posted January 15, 2007 Author Report Share Posted January 15, 2007 Re: Little league tips? Yeah, I kind of worried about the kid pitching.....looks like that could be frustrating as heck! New Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Clay008 Posted January 15, 2007 Report Share Posted January 15, 2007 Re: Little league tips? A good way to work on hitting is soft toss and tee work. This will help him develop muscle memory. Then work on hitting thrown pitches. When hitting try to get him to stay back on the ball as much as possible then explode on the ball when it is in the zone. Try to avoid dragging the bat through the zone. I know he is only 7 or 8 but, if you can instill these skills in him young it will help him develop into a better hitter. The best way to get his arm stronger is playing catch everyday. By throwing long toss in the back yard. Try to make sure he stays on top as this will help accuracy. Also a four seam grip helps the ball fly straighter. This is more important as you get older and can throw harder. When fielding teach him to be aggresive and go to the ball and, to not sit on his heels and wait for it to get there. The waiting always ends up going wrong. I played baseball many years growing up and played on some good and some bad teams. I did not learn many of the skills above till later on in my baseball career and wish I would have known them sooner. I can't wait till I am able to coach my kids team one day. Good luck this season and make sure to have fun! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TxBowHunter Posted January 15, 2007 Report Share Posted January 15, 2007 Re: Little league tips? Hope he has fun! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Newarcher Posted January 15, 2007 Author Report Share Posted January 15, 2007 Re: Little league tips? Thanks guys, I have been working with him on the fundamentals.....keeping the ball in front of you, attacking the ball, pop flies (he got to where he was catching some until the ball hit him), throwing, and base running. New Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Clay008 Posted January 15, 2007 Report Share Posted January 15, 2007 Re: Little league tips? [ QUOTE ] (he got to where he was catching some until the ball hit him) New [/ QUOTE ] That happens from time to time. I remember when I was learning to play. My uncle hit one too me. Well, I had the glove in front of my face and couldn't see the ball anymore. Needless to say at the same time I moved the glove to look for the ball. I found it! or I guess it found me. Either way I remember it hurt pretty bad. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Finn Posted January 15, 2007 Report Share Posted January 15, 2007 Re: Little league tips? If he can hit the ball sometimes and play catch, he'll be fine. He doesn't have to be Derek Jeter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LifeNRA Posted January 15, 2007 Report Share Posted January 15, 2007 Re: Little league tips? [ QUOTE ] I anticipate at least one or two fights between myself and some butthead parent who moans when my kid comes up to bat or yells at him when he makes a fielding error. [/ QUOTE ] Tip. Dont! Dont get into any fights with the other parents! Try to keep it a childs game!!! [ QUOTE ] I want him to achieve his best but more than anything don't want it to be a humiliating experience. [/ QUOTE ] See above! Just keep working on fielding and batting skills. Google this, "Kids baseball practice". Tons of info that you could use. Make it fun! Get some of the other players involed that he makes friends with. http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=Kids+baseball+practice Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tominator Posted January 16, 2007 Report Share Posted January 16, 2007 Re: Little league tips? [ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] 7 and 8 year olds. 7 and 8 year olds. Just keep saying that to yourself. They're 7 and 8 years old. If any parent gets into a fight or moans about 7 or 8 year olds, IMHO, they've got some issues in life. Relax, have fun, it's not the World Series. [/ QUOTE ] Are you saying I have issues? I am the king of good sportage and encourage everyone's child. I would never moan or belittle a child for any reason. However, there are some that just will act like little Johnny is the greatest thing since sliced bread and that all the other teammates are just getting in his way. My son is a great kid but he isn't the go-to guy...maybe that will change and maybe that won't. He is a good support person....not someone who wants to be tasked with winning or losing the game. New [/ QUOTE ] Nope, I'm saying it's a game and it's supposed to be fun. I know in my case, patience is tough to come by, but you just have to develop it, and work with the kids. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drkillemquick Posted January 16, 2007 Report Share Posted January 16, 2007 Re: Little league tips? Get him into spitting and grabbing his crotch alot and he'll be fine! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hillbilly Posted January 16, 2007 Report Share Posted January 16, 2007 Re: Little league tips? I am a little league assistant coach with the Cal Ripken Jr League. In my two years of coaching I've seen enough things that coaches and parents bad behavior that would make Bob Knight a Saint. A strike out is a strike out, don't make it into a world series loss. If he drops a winning catch, then give him encouragement for the next situation. Let your child be himself. Never yell at your child in front of his team, this might give his team the right to yell at him to. Take him aside or at home and just talk about the game. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Newarcher Posted January 16, 2007 Author Report Share Posted January 16, 2007 Re: Little league tips? Thanks guys, I am a very level headed fellah most days. I will work on his skills because at this point, they aren't going to be turning double plays or anything like that. I am looking forward to it and will work to ensure it stays a positive experience. I just hope he is good enough not to have to take the ribbing of his teammates. New Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SuperMn106 Posted January 16, 2007 Report Share Posted January 16, 2007 Re: Little league tips? Sounds like you are off to a great start. Just keep practicing with him and come up with different ways to keep it fun. For hitting start out by tossing the ball to him and making sure that he keeps his eye on the ball and watch it make contact and keep the swing as level as possible. For fielding just keep him in front of the ball and never give up on the ball even if he misses it the first time. Practice makes perfect. The MOST important thing in my opinion is to make sure he is having fun. Good Luck and again sounds like you are doing a great job. Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shockwave Posted January 16, 2007 Report Share Posted January 16, 2007 Re: Little league tips? [ QUOTE ] Hope he has fun! [/ QUOTE ] thats the keyword FUN... Tell the other parents it`s for the kids, not them !!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Oneshot7 Posted January 16, 2007 Report Share Posted January 16, 2007 Re: Little league tips? I played about this age in CHild Pitcha nd no one will really excel because the pitching isnt good enough. Now, when i was 9 i was hit in the face with the ball by a 12 year old throwin 60 mph. I was scared the rest of the year but next year i recovered and made all stars and now play for my school and at that age he has plenty of time to get good and tell im the lil ball can hurt him for more than a second Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
punkinslinger Posted January 16, 2007 Report Share Posted January 16, 2007 Re: Little league tips? Just give him time and if he is into it he will find his niche. My son was a mediocre player throughout his coach pitch days..average fielder and hitter. Last year he got a chance to pitch(with my encouragement since Dad was a pitcher ) and good Lord....the little joker opened some eyes and ended up being the top pitcher for the team!!! He has alot of natural movement on the ball that opposing coaches and umpires have noticed. He was chosen to try out for the All- Stars but a preplanned vacation ended that unfortunately. Just give him time and see what happens. Good Luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
htephil Posted January 16, 2007 Report Share Posted January 16, 2007 Re: Little league tips? I live about 5 minutes from the Little League complex in Williamsport and had the priviledge of working at the Series this year. It was a great experience to meet coaches/parents/players from all over the world. The fans were great and to be completely honest....we could all take a lesson in respect from the Asian teams. They cheered for all players....and when the game was over....they picked up all the trash around their seats and disposed of it. Parents were a Total class act ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.