How do you hit the unhittable? Please help!

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Oct 23, 2009
967
0
Los Angeles
Looking for hitting advice and strategy for my 8U all-star rec team facing for the tirid time the toughest pitcher and nemesis in our summer tournaments. To recap, in two games against her we have 28 strikeouts in 36 at bats, two hits, couple of ground outs, one HBP, one run. TB pitcher who just turned 9and throws up to 49 mph, hits every location, and rarely uses her c/u because she doesn't need to.

What advice can I give my players? The first game we tried swinging away and got two "lucky" hits in a row. The second game we tried to play small ball, with no success. Thanks.
 

Ken Krause

Administrator
Admin
May 7, 2008
3,911
113
Mundelein, IL
Know anyone who can give her the flu?

Small ball, including bunts and slug bunts (without showing the first bunt if it's not permitted), are probably your answer. Practice them like crazy until your girls can do it blindfolded. See if the other team's fielders can play.
 
Jan 14, 2009
1,591
0
Atlanta, Georgia
I always throw to our girls in the cages using a full windmill motion. So...the first thing I would do is get them in the cages a couple of days in a row and throw to them fast to get them use to the speed.

I would also tell the girls that the pitcher has good control and is going to be throwing strikes and I want them swinging the bat.

I would remind them to stay relaxed and not over swing.

I would tell them that they are hitting the ball and not hitting the pitcher. Forget about who the pitcher is. Watch the ball at release and hit the ball.

I would them tell them that facing a faster pitcher is a good learning experience and that facing good pitchers will help them get better. It's ok to strike out, but I want them to battle their entire at bat and go down swinging.
 
Jun 17, 2009
15,105
0
Portland, OR
Do you really mean "unhittable"? My guess is that the kids aren't properly prepared for this pitcher. I refuse to believe pitchers are unhittable.

Diddo on what Wellphyt has to say. Before going into the contest, use the practices to get the girls used to the higher pitch speed. That will present a good opportunity for you to remind them to use a compact swing (tight HPP) versus a long sweeping swing. It will also present a good opportunity to emphasize their vision ... there is critical information that the brain picks up on 'release', so you want to stress the girls seeing the ball on 'release' ... consider using brain assisted vision enhancement ... if you are thinking "ball", then you'll see the "ball" faster and more clearly .... have them think "ball, .... ball, .... ball, .... ball," when the pitcher goes into their motion. Use the cue ... "see the ball & be easy" ... with the implication that you want an emphasis with the eyes and a relaxed upper body. Our vision is sharp, and are muscles are relaxed ... we trust that our muscles have been trained to fire ... and we practice at the higher pitch speeds in preparation for the game.
 
Last edited:
Oct 23, 2009
967
0
Los Angeles
Do you really mean "unhittable"? My guess is that the kids aren't properly prepared for this pitcher. I refuse to believe pitchers are unhittable.

Diddo on what Wellphyt has to say. Before going into the contest, use the practices to get the girls used to the higher pitch speed. That will present a good opportunity for you to remind them to use a compact swing (tight HPP) versus a long sweeping swing. It will also present a good opportunity to emphasize their vision ... there is critical information that the brain picks up on 'release', so you want to stress the girls seeing the ball on 'release' ... consider using brain assisted vision enhancement ... if you are thinking "ball", then you'll see the "ball" faster and more clearly .... have them think "ball, .... ball, .... ball, .... ball," when the pitcher goes into their motion. Use the cue ... "see the ball & be easy" ... with the implication that you want an emphasis with the eyes and a relaxed upper body. Our vision is sharp, and are muscles are relaxed ... we trust that our muscles have been trained to fire ... and we practice at the higher pitch speeds in preparation for the game.

I used "unhittable" loosely, but when facing a high 40's pitcher from 30 feet (25 feet to home plate at release) there is very little reaction time, especially for 8 YO batters. I like your guys suggestions, get them in the cages, crank up the speed, and concentrate on the ball not the pitcher. Since she is accurate, assume that the pitch will be near the strike zone and have the batter swing away, but under control.

When you say the kids are not properly prepared for this kind of pitcher; I agree. No 8U batter has prepared for this type of speed, movement, and command at his age. If nothing else, our players get some experience, all other pitchers they face will not be as dominating.
 
Jun 17, 2009
15,105
0
Portland, OR
It's been a while since I've worked with 8yr-olds. For 8 yr-olds they may need to be reminded that when they step in the box that they assume every pitch will be a strike. They should not be deciding during the pitch to swing ... a fast pitcher will destroy a hitter that decides whether or not to swing half way during the pitch. You decide to swing before the pitch is thrown. The only decision to be make is whether you should abort, or stop, the swing. Some refer to this as "yes, yes, go" or "yes, yes, no". The video clip below is more helpful.

The Decision To Swing
 
Jan 10, 2010
37
0
A 9 year old nearly cracking 50? Really?

We have really really good 13 and 14 year olds here that are the cream of the local crop that throw in the 50's. And thats smokin for us. Forgive me if I seem skeptical, but what do you guys feed your kids where you're at?
 
May 25, 2010
1,070
0
It's been a while since I've worked with 8yr-olds. For 8 yr-olds they may need to be reminded that when they step in the box that they assume every pitch will be a strike. They should not be deciding during the pitch to swing ... a fast pitcher will destroy a hitter that decides whether or not to swing half way during the pitch. You decide to swing before the pitch is thrown. The only decision to be make is whether you should abort, or stop, the swing. Some refer to this as "yes, yes, go" or "yes, yes, no". The video clip below is more helpful.

Maybe my experience with so many non-athletes has me a bit jaded, but I've got one guy telling me an 9yo is throwing almost 50mph and 'hitting every location' (as if on-demand) and another saying that 8yo's should be assuming every pitch is a strike so 'swing away', but then be able to check the swing if they decide to abort. Adding just 2mph

Where are you folks finding these 8-year-old unique specimens, considering that most ADULTS who are committed to a swing aren't able to stop the motion??

What I really don't get is why you're expecting 8-year-olds to have such an advanced understanding of softball game situations, even if they've been playing 3-4 seasons already. I've seen 8u all-star softball in SoCal and while it's noticeably better than what exists in my town (I'm in NorCal now), I saw nothing of the sort you guys are describing. The pitching was very good and the girls in the field made few errors.

I really hope this 9yo that throws near 49mph decides to stick with the game. By the time she's 20, she could be up to 75-80mph...not too bad considering that the (current) best in the world are only hitting the low 70s.

Anyone can bunt, and any pitcher can be bunted on. Every bunt strikes the ground differently, but I'd put their defense to the test.
 
Jun 17, 2009
15,105
0
Portland, OR
IMO, the concept of "yes, yes, go" or "yes, yes, no" is pretty basic. At what age would you teach this? If you aren't teaching that, then what are you teaching?

If you viewed the video (link) in the post that you are responding to, then you would have seen a few examples of a swing being aborting. I'd like to think that most people that play this game know to consider that every pitch is a strike, and simply abort their swing when they learn differently. Then again, I've been away from that age bracket for a long time ... but the concept does seem rather basic IMO.
 
Sep 29, 2008
1,401
63
Northeast Ohio
The speed if she just turned 9 may be slightly exagerated. We have some 10U (really 11 year olds who turned 11 in January) here in Ohio that clock game speeds of 49-51 with a 52 or even 53 thrown in. They are elite.

Regarding the original post there is no good answer. This pitcher is better than your players if they are 8 and very few will hit her. You need a few small victories to build individual players confidence.

Other than that I think Wellphyt hit the nail on the head.
 
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