First PC OT Post....

[Jonas Smith]

Morgan wanted to earn some extra money, so he is painting the frame of the '55 International. His Mom is going to be mad when she gets home, I think he got more paint on himself than on the truck frame by the time he was done.






I have to say I'm pretty proud of him. This morning we had Baseball tryouts. He has only played T ball before. Well, right away, he was the first one in the batting cage (never been in one before) with the pitching machine, and after a pitch or two, he got hit with the ball HARD.
Sure, there were some tears, and I asked him if he wanted to get out and come back later. He said he wanted to stay in and keep going. I thought that was pretty cool.

I did have to pull him out of there after about 7 more pitches because he was obviously afraid of the ball, and wasn't hitting anything and his stance and swing were all fouled up. But at least he didn't quit.
We got him back in there later, but he's still fairly scared of the ball.

I wish we had some indoor batting cages around here.

[Bruce]

He looks so serious!

[Kevin Mienke]

Hey Jonas, Colt Mienke here. Tell Morgan everyone's afraid of the ball. Anyone who's not is an idiot. It hurts!

My coaches call me bruise I've been hit so many times, but when the ump says "take your base" it doesn't hurt near as bad.

OK now. It is possible to be scared of the ball and still be able to hit a pitch when you get a good one to hit. For practice time, put some pop cans behind his feet and tell him to not knock them over. Just stick with it until he does the drill correctly. That's what baseball is all about- repetition. Practice doesn't make perfect. Perfect practice makes perfect.

The reason this drill will be helpful is that the idea of "backing up" doesn't work if the ball is coming at you. He should GET DOWN or turn his back. Getting hit in the back doesn't hurt so bad unless Josh Beckett's throwing.

Good luck Morgan!

[Jake]

Good word Colt!!!

Thanks for posting!!
I can hear a lot of your Dad in your voice...

[Kevin Mienke]

I asked Colt to post because kids can relate to kids better than adults sometimes. Colt's 15 so quite a bit older than Morgan but still a kid.

His back has become a virtual pin cushion for baseballs. He's gotten to the point where he will intentionally get hit by pitch if he is behind in the count or feels he is not going to reach base otherwise. On the inside pitch, he turns his back and leans slightly into it, taking a glancing blow off the left shoulder. It's good baseball to do that when the pitcher has gained an advantage.

One thing I never liked about mechanical pitching machines in batting cages is you don't get the physical action of studying the pitcher. Studying the pitcher and knowing where the ball is at all times is the most important element of hitting.

When Colt was Morgan's age, he spent a lot of time hitting my pitches for practice. I think he gained more from that than the batting cage. It's also where he learned how to get hit by the pitch. HA. I'm a horrible pitcher.

Here is a simplified way to begin hitting instruction:

1) Watch the pitcher and know where the ball is at all times. See his hand when he releases it and follow it with your eyes to your bat.

2) Never let the pitcher know you're afraid of the ball or you're at an immediate disadvantage. Like Colt said, everyone's afraid of the ball.

3) Tune out all the parents in the crowd and coaches in the dugout who are telling you how to hit while in the batter's box. Practice is the time for instruction. Parents and coaches shouldn't talk during an at-bat in a game. It puts pressure on the kid.

4) Be comfortable in the batter's box. There is no particular right way to stand, contrary to what many Litlle League coaches teach. It is only important that you're in an athletic, comfortable stance and able to concentrate on the pitcher and the ball.

5) View each at-bat as a personal duel between you and the pitcher and know that you will win the duel.

By the look on Morgan's face in the picture, I would judge that he believes he could win any duel.

[Steve G]

The reason this drill will be helpful is that the idea of "backing up" doesn't work if the ball is coming at you. He should GET DOWN or turn his back.

Once I had one going for my head and crouched down, didn't lower the bat and the ball hit it. Strike one!

Another one going for my head (from a real fireballer) just had enough time to arch my back and bend my head back. When that happened my hands naturally came up and the ball hit the knob of the bat. Another strike.

Like Colt said stand your ground and show off the bruises later.

[Bob Thompson]

Hey Jonas, Colt Mienke here. Tell Morgan everyone's afraid of the ball. Anyone who's not is an idiot. It hurts!

My coaches call me bruise I've been hit so many times, but when the ump says "take your base" it doesn't hurt near as bad.

OK now. It is possible to be scared of the ball and still be able to hit a pitch when you get a good one to hit. For practice time, put some pop cans behind his feet and tell him to not knock them over. Just stick with it until he does the drill correctly. That's what baseball is all about- repetition. Practice doesn't make perfect. Perfect practice makes perfect.

The reason this drill will be helpful is that the idea of "backing up" doesn't work if the ball is coming at you. He should GET DOWN or turn his back. Getting hit in the back doesn't hurt so bad unless Josh Beckett's throwing.

Good luck Morgan!

Hi My name is Julian. I am staying with Arlene and Bob while my mom is deployed. I wasn't sure it would be ok to post here but I play short and I liked what Colt said. Bob says the same thing stand youre ground stay calm and duck if you have too. I don't turn my back anymore because iI got nailed in the kidney and that really hurts.

Julian Cross