- Dec 4, 2013
- 865
- 18
Teaching kids SnF Mechanics can be difficult and frustrating. But when they get it, man is it fun to watch....... Welcome back Butter!
12yo Maddie
- Thread starter Eric F
- Start date
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Teaching kids SnF Mechanics can be difficult and frustrating. But when they get it, man is it fun to watch....... Welcome back Butter!
As we near Maddie's upcoming 13th b-day, I figured it was a good time to get one last 12yo hit posted. This was from the final tournament of her 12U career - a line drive base hit...
It was kind of a rough year for Maddie. She struggled with an ulnar nerve issue early in the year that kept her from throwing for 10 weeks. Not exactly ideal for a catcher. Fortunately, she was still able to hit, and really got into a good grove, including one weekend where she went 10-for-11, getting on base in all 12 of her ABs. In June, she took a foul tip to the face mask that resulted in a concussion, and 6 weeks out of action. About a week before being cleared from her concussion, she was hit with a bat by a teammate during a pre-game warm-up that broke the tip of her middle finger on her right hand. We went to our biggest tournament of the year (TCS World Series in Reno) with her finger in a splint, and her butt on the bench. Not exactly what you want from your team's biggest hitter and #1 catcher. Her finger healed pretty quickly, and she was able to play the final tournament (USSSA Nationals), but the time off definitely showed in her production at the plate. The above hit was one of just a few good ones over the course of her final week of 12U.
Despite the injury issues, Maddie finished her final 12U season as the best hitter on her team (.424 Avg, .565 OBP, .568 SLG)...and dominated the HBP category, with a total of 17.
It also looks like this is the end of her journey with this team. She has been with the same team, and the same coaches, since she made the move to TB more than 2 years ago. It's been a really great place to her to develop, and it was an extra bonus that I was welcomed as an assistant coach (which I have enjoyed tremendously). Unfortunately, we haven't been able to recruit the players we need to fill the spots of the players who have moved on, so we have made the decision to fold the team. Tomorrow, she begins the process of trying out for a new team. For me, this means I get to hang up my coaching shoes, and learn how to be just a parent.
It was kind of a rough year for Maddie. She struggled with an ulnar nerve issue early in the year that kept her from throwing for 10 weeks. Not exactly ideal for a catcher. Fortunately, she was still able to hit, and really got into a good grove, including one weekend where she went 10-for-11, getting on base in all 12 of her ABs. In June, she took a foul tip to the face mask that resulted in a concussion, and 6 weeks out of action. About a week before being cleared from her concussion, she was hit with a bat by a teammate during a pre-game warm-up that broke the tip of her middle finger on her right hand. We went to our biggest tournament of the year (TCS World Series in Reno) with her finger in a splint, and her butt on the bench. Not exactly what you want from your team's biggest hitter and #1 catcher. Her finger healed pretty quickly, and she was able to play the final tournament (USSSA Nationals), but the time off definitely showed in her production at the plate. The above hit was one of just a few good ones over the course of her final week of 12U.
Despite the injury issues, Maddie finished her final 12U season as the best hitter on her team (.424 Avg, .565 OBP, .568 SLG)...and dominated the HBP category, with a total of 17.
It also looks like this is the end of her journey with this team. She has been with the same team, and the same coaches, since she made the move to TB more than 2 years ago. It's been a really great place to her to develop, and it was an extra bonus that I was welcomed as an assistant coach (which I have enjoyed tremendously). Unfortunately, we haven't been able to recruit the players we need to fill the spots of the players who have moved on, so we have made the decision to fold the team. Tomorrow, she begins the process of trying out for a new team. For me, this means I get to hang up my coaching shoes, and learn how to be just a parent.
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- Sep 29, 2014
- 2,421
- 113
really neat to be able to see progression of her swing what I really like is the hand path now and how compact the swing is I just think she might be leaving a little on the table so I looked and some of her old swings, the ones actually where she had a downward chop and there were several posts about her swing, looks like that is not an issue anymore but there is always room for improvement so I'll let you be the judge about which position at toe touch you like better Maddie from Dec 2016 or Maddie now.
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I agree about there always being room for improvement. In Maddie's case, it's largely related to how she uses her core. She hasn't quite connected those dots yet.
With regard to the pics you posted, I would like to see her hands a little higher - up closer to shoulder height.
One of the things we focused a lot on over the last couple of months was using her back. She was starting to get into a habit of pushing forward, which resulted in a forward tilt of her torso over her hips. "Stay back" was the cue I used to remind her to pull with her back over the rear hip.
With regard to the pics you posted, I would like to see her hands a little higher - up closer to shoulder height.
One of the things we focused a lot on over the last couple of months was using her back. She was starting to get into a habit of pushing forward, which resulted in a forward tilt of her torso over her hips. "Stay back" was the cue I used to remind her to pull with her back over the rear hip.
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I think there are a lot of good things going on there. Like you said, always room for improvement. But she continues to get bigger and stronger and she is in good hands. Just need to kick that injury habit... My DD went through the same thing at that age. Nearly 18 months of constant injuries. Luckily she worked her way out of that and hopefully Maddie will also. I appreciate you sharing her journey. It's fun to watch.
Reminds me of this swing...sorta...
I see the resemblance...sorta... He has the overlap she's missing.
Eric,
Your DD is in good hands and is close. Your DD has and is progressing nicely. Honestly, progressing sooner than my DD because she has a dad that gets the swing.
Added: I added the 'sorta' because there are those 'posters' that will jump on and question my comparison. DD is close though.
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