Ideas needed to get a girl moving...

[_MIA_]

I mean in 8U how many balls are hit out there? Willie Mays probably would have checked out too..

 

[JaC]

But seriously, she is 7 let her enjoy the game and see if she has a desire to get better. I would not worry until 9 or 10. She will show by then, if she cares to improve. You can not force it on her.

I'm more worried about her getting hurt. We have some older girls on the team. One hit a line drive and the 7yo almost ate it.

 

[JaC]

She's 7, not much you can do other than keep it fun for when she's ready to learn. The only offering I have would be to provide over-praise when she does actually track or field a ball. Instill a positive enforcement so she's incentivized to put a little "effort" into it. Heck, even a candy reward should work. Every fielded ball equals a piece of her favorite candy. Not a bad idea to offer that to the whole team. If you do that, can I came play on the team too? I prefer Reese's PB Cups if you're taking suggestions........

I LOVE Reese's too. Kinda melty on the field, but...

 

[JaC]

My exact thoughts. At this age they are still learning how the game works. It's all about making it fun for the kids. They will naturally improve and develop as a result of reps and having fun with it. I wouldn't be too concerned about exact mechanics. Moreso, are they moving in the right direction to the ball, running to 1st base, 2nd base, 3rd base, home, swinging the bat and making contact, throwing the ball to the spot? You know your DD better than anyone. Find what makes it fun for her.

My only fear is with her mother loving for anything, she's going to get hurt. Trust me, at this age I'm not worried about them being aces. But if a ball is about to hit you, I'm hoping they'll at least move out of the way. She doesn't even react to that in a game so I'm worried because she's had a few near misses.

 

[4Martini]

Or if she just doesn't want to, she just doesn't want to. game can be slow at that level. Try to give her a warning if the balls coming to her "that's yours!" or something.

My daughter was a little low attention at that age. I started by calling her out like this- but she didn’t like it. So we came up with a generic cheer say “Let’s go hittin kittens” that meant - Pay Attention Sally!!! But was not so obvious to the other kids that’s what it was. Years later her focus is impressive- but i think building foot sandcastles was her favorite part of 7yo softball.

The most important part is she has enough fun to want to come back next season.

 

[_MIA_]

Maybe try and score some Greenies?

 

[JaC]

Maybe try and score some Greenies?

What are greenies? (When you say greenies, I think of the dog treats. Lol)

 

[_MIA_]

What are greenies? (When you say greenies, I think of the dog treats. Lol)

Kreidler: Black day for the greenies, too

Steroids are the headline. But the fact amphetamines are in baseball's new proposed agreement is real news.

www.espn.com

(I was kidding obviously..)

 

[sluggers]

Bench her.

Flagpoles.

(True story: My DGD was on a K-1st Grade team last year. The coach would make them run laps. I alsmot lost it.)

 

[JaC]

Kreidler: Black day for the greenies, too

Steroids are the headline. But the fact amphetamines are in baseball's new proposed agreement is real news.

www.espn.com

(I was kidding obviously..)

OMG duh. I thought it was somw cool idea I had never heard of!