I appreciate the comments, both postive and negative. You have to be able to take criticism. I will be the first to admit I am not an expert in softball. I am a baseball guy who started young, played through HS and still try to goof around a little bit, thats why I am here getting other opinions who have been around softball. I have read the comments about baseball people trying to coach softball so you don't need to go there but I do have a couple of comments.
Is it "normal" to use pitching machines at this level instead of pitchers or coach pitch? Although the speed is set a little faster I see several hitters swing at the same location everytime. It doesn't seem to teach them to swing at the ball but instead at the same location. Is it harder to teach youngsters to swing at the ball as they move from 8u to 10u (machine pitch to player pitch)?
And I also wanted to respond to some of SoftSocDad's comments.
Won't happen. Most 7-8 year olds are lost in the field and often have to be told where the play is after they've already fielded the ball, even if coach told them before the ball was hit and got verbal acknowledgement on the instruction to 'throw it home'.
The rec team that my daughter was on during the summer would tell me your wrong. Again, I don't have alot of experience but they made outs at first, second, and third.
You have officially taken my title as craziest parent of a less-than-8yo. Wow.
I don't fell like I am crazy. I am someone who does not have alot of experience coaching youngsters. How much you should expect from a player at 8u is a learning process. That is why I am here asking questions instead of just pushing forward. I see what she is capable of doing against the other 50-60 8u girls in the league and I want to be able to help her excel as she continues to develop.
I would not, however, be looking for 50% or more of the innings, as that's not fair to the other girls on a rec team.
I have noticed one thing. Trying to get a girl at this age to don the equipment and catch is like trying to get someone to climb a radio tower in a lighting storm.
Again, appreciate the comments. I think you all have changed my mind.
Is it "normal" to use pitching machines at this level instead of pitchers or coach pitch? Although the speed is set a little faster I see several hitters swing at the same location everytime. It doesn't seem to teach them to swing at the ball but instead at the same location. Is it harder to teach youngsters to swing at the ball as they move from 8u to 10u (machine pitch to player pitch)?
And I also wanted to respond to some of SoftSocDad's comments.
Won't happen. Most 7-8 year olds are lost in the field and often have to be told where the play is after they've already fielded the ball, even if coach told them before the ball was hit and got verbal acknowledgement on the instruction to 'throw it home'.
The rec team that my daughter was on during the summer would tell me your wrong. Again, I don't have alot of experience but they made outs at first, second, and third.
You have officially taken my title as craziest parent of a less-than-8yo. Wow.
I don't fell like I am crazy. I am someone who does not have alot of experience coaching youngsters. How much you should expect from a player at 8u is a learning process. That is why I am here asking questions instead of just pushing forward. I see what she is capable of doing against the other 50-60 8u girls in the league and I want to be able to help her excel as she continues to develop.
I would not, however, be looking for 50% or more of the innings, as that's not fair to the other girls on a rec team.
I have noticed one thing. Trying to get a girl at this age to don the equipment and catch is like trying to get someone to climb a radio tower in a lighting storm.
Again, appreciate the comments. I think you all have changed my mind.