We are two games into the Little League baseball season and already as parents we are frustrated. If only we could get in there and play ourselves... after we finish our kids homework for them of course! Ha! We want out kids to be successful at catching, pitching, fielding oh oh and to have fun too. Gavin is 7 now and is in his first year of Coach/Kid Pitch Baseball. He loves the game so far but... PROBLEM: He is AFRAID OF THE BALL. When he is at bat, he steps back from the plate to avoid getting hit even if the ball isn't close. When he fields the ball, he holds his glove arms length to catch the ball with his head cocked to the side and his eyes squinted.
SOLUTION: My husband was talking to one of his friends, Steve who suggested that Gavin put a hockey mask and then let him practice catching. The idea is to allow Gavin to feel safe while he is learning to catch a hard baseball. Even if he gets popped in the face, it won't hurt because the hockey mask will protect him. This method allows a beginning players to build enough confidence while gaining successful experience catching the ball safely. Eventually they have so much success catching that they don't need the mask any more. Steve, you are a GENIUS!!!!!! It worked like a charm and Gavin is now catching a baseball fearlessly! He is grinning from ear to ear and can't wait to get back out on the field.
Stay Tuned!! For the next 3 months, there will be little in the way of new recipes but a lot about Baseball and American Idol("The Pool") . Hope this tip helped you as much as it did us. See you at the ball park.
