- May 1, 2011
- 350
- 28
So, we're in the midst of 10u Open Practices, to be followed by a tryout next Thursday (August 18). DD is a catcher. She's 8 (March birthday), but not a typical 8. She's about 56" tall, and weighs about 85 lbs (solid as a rock, with big strong legs). Here are the things that I'm working on her with, and instead of posting this in pieces on several different forums, I figured I'd post one big one here. Any and all help/suggestions are appreciated.
Catching: Of course, we're working on blocking the ball. She understands the concept, and is all over the "every bruise is to be worn as a badge of honor" bit. She is totally geeked about the idea that every ball she blocks means one base that the runner didn't get to advance to. She's having trouble not popping up to field balls in the dirt like an infielder would, but I think that is going to take more repetition than anything. I say this because about 1 out of 3, she gets down and smothers. Mental toughness and being vocal are other items that need to be addressed. She's 8, so of course, we're going easy, and not being harsh (I'm not a Crazy Dad). We're having to stress hustle, hustle, hustle. Mainly because I believe that two of the most important aspects of a softball player are heart and hustle. She's got a cannon for her age, and can make the throw down to 2nd in the air, but we're working on not putting so much air under the ball, and maybe letting it hop once or twice (shortest distance between two points is a straight line).
Hitting: If you've seen my posts with pictures of her hitting, you'll know that she's got a pretty swing. Planning on getting some video on here soon, but as most of you probably know, making the switch from coach pitch to kid pitch is going to be difficult. She has surprised me so far with her ability to judge balls/strikes, but her timing has been terribly thrown off from pitcher to pitcher. Mainly because of girls having different wind ups, and not being able to quite figure out when to start loading up. One little girl that is at practice is pitching about 40 mph. DD has been continuously late (don't think she's hit one fair yet to be quite honest). I want to stay away from a pitching machine because I think it gets girls in a rythm that is NOTHING similar to what they'll see in a game, but at the same time, we're going to have to work on getting started early, and instead of thinking "ball, ball, ball, STRIKE!!!"...thinking "strike, strike, strike, BALL!!!!" That way, we're moving with the intent to swing, and stopping at the last minute.
Pitching: I personally think she could be pretty good at this. She's got big strong legs that she can really drive with (not that an 8 year old completely understands how to use those things). Her pitching coach that she saw for about a month taught her some drills, and developed a pretty sound base of things to work on. So, we're working on that stuff, and backed off lessons (money doesn't grow on trees). Two things on this topic. 1. She pauses at the top with her circle, and doesn't have one fluid motion. 2. Her coach (a guy named Eddie Martwick) is teaching a step through delivery. He says that he doesn't coach velocity, and if that's what we're wanting to go somewhere else. I'm not sure if I like the step through thing, and that's mainly because I don't see any of the "GREATS" using it, and if there's one thing I've learned, it's that you try and do, not necessarily copy, what the best do. I also don't like the fact that when the step through, the glove is away from the plate, and line drives hurt!!!
Running: Now, here's an area of opportunity. She does several different types of running. When she's running to have fun, the girl can move. Playing chase, or running in a race after practice, she can hang with some of the fastest girls on the team. Then there's the silly running. That has nothing to do with softball, and it's really one of the things that makes her...HER. Finally, there's baserunning. In practice, she's about 16.5 seconds around the bases. We timed all the girls, and the fastest girl on the team was 15.2. Now, I don't know about anyone else, but in a game, the adrenaline gets flowing, and you really push yourself, and sometimes, your time around the bases would be faster. That is not the case with my "special" little baserunner. It literally looks like she's jogging. The only word I can think of is comical. There is not a parent in the stands, or a coach on the field that is not 100% perplexed on why it is she won't "UNHITCH THE TRAILER!!!!" I haven't yet figured out if it's because she's watching the ball or what. I honestly think she moves faster in full catcher's gear when she's on the field. It really is pretty funny when you see it, but still, needs to be figured out.
I work shift work, but am off next Monday-Wednesday. Planning a little clinic/boot camp for her. She really excited about it too. I told her it was going to be hard work, and she was gonna get really sweaty and dirty. Any thoughts on some stuff I could set up for her. We're gonna wake up about 7 in the morning, get a good breakfast, and try and beat the heat. In advance, thanks for the ideas.
Josh
Catching: Of course, we're working on blocking the ball. She understands the concept, and is all over the "every bruise is to be worn as a badge of honor" bit. She is totally geeked about the idea that every ball she blocks means one base that the runner didn't get to advance to. She's having trouble not popping up to field balls in the dirt like an infielder would, but I think that is going to take more repetition than anything. I say this because about 1 out of 3, she gets down and smothers. Mental toughness and being vocal are other items that need to be addressed. She's 8, so of course, we're going easy, and not being harsh (I'm not a Crazy Dad). We're having to stress hustle, hustle, hustle. Mainly because I believe that two of the most important aspects of a softball player are heart and hustle. She's got a cannon for her age, and can make the throw down to 2nd in the air, but we're working on not putting so much air under the ball, and maybe letting it hop once or twice (shortest distance between two points is a straight line).
Hitting: If you've seen my posts with pictures of her hitting, you'll know that she's got a pretty swing. Planning on getting some video on here soon, but as most of you probably know, making the switch from coach pitch to kid pitch is going to be difficult. She has surprised me so far with her ability to judge balls/strikes, but her timing has been terribly thrown off from pitcher to pitcher. Mainly because of girls having different wind ups, and not being able to quite figure out when to start loading up. One little girl that is at practice is pitching about 40 mph. DD has been continuously late (don't think she's hit one fair yet to be quite honest). I want to stay away from a pitching machine because I think it gets girls in a rythm that is NOTHING similar to what they'll see in a game, but at the same time, we're going to have to work on getting started early, and instead of thinking "ball, ball, ball, STRIKE!!!"...thinking "strike, strike, strike, BALL!!!!" That way, we're moving with the intent to swing, and stopping at the last minute.
Pitching: I personally think she could be pretty good at this. She's got big strong legs that she can really drive with (not that an 8 year old completely understands how to use those things). Her pitching coach that she saw for about a month taught her some drills, and developed a pretty sound base of things to work on. So, we're working on that stuff, and backed off lessons (money doesn't grow on trees). Two things on this topic. 1. She pauses at the top with her circle, and doesn't have one fluid motion. 2. Her coach (a guy named Eddie Martwick) is teaching a step through delivery. He says that he doesn't coach velocity, and if that's what we're wanting to go somewhere else. I'm not sure if I like the step through thing, and that's mainly because I don't see any of the "GREATS" using it, and if there's one thing I've learned, it's that you try and do, not necessarily copy, what the best do. I also don't like the fact that when the step through, the glove is away from the plate, and line drives hurt!!!
Running: Now, here's an area of opportunity. She does several different types of running. When she's running to have fun, the girl can move. Playing chase, or running in a race after practice, she can hang with some of the fastest girls on the team. Then there's the silly running. That has nothing to do with softball, and it's really one of the things that makes her...HER. Finally, there's baserunning. In practice, she's about 16.5 seconds around the bases. We timed all the girls, and the fastest girl on the team was 15.2. Now, I don't know about anyone else, but in a game, the adrenaline gets flowing, and you really push yourself, and sometimes, your time around the bases would be faster. That is not the case with my "special" little baserunner. It literally looks like she's jogging. The only word I can think of is comical. There is not a parent in the stands, or a coach on the field that is not 100% perplexed on why it is she won't "UNHITCH THE TRAILER!!!!" I haven't yet figured out if it's because she's watching the ball or what. I honestly think she moves faster in full catcher's gear when she's on the field. It really is pretty funny when you see it, but still, needs to be figured out.
I work shift work, but am off next Monday-Wednesday. Planning a little clinic/boot camp for her. She really excited about it too. I told her it was going to be hard work, and she was gonna get really sweaty and dirty. Any thoughts on some stuff I could set up for her. We're gonna wake up about 7 in the morning, get a good breakfast, and try and beat the heat. In advance, thanks for the ideas.
Josh
