Nice topic. I teach them how to get hit.. back to the ball. Hands covered. I don’t expect them to wear it unless it’s in a late tight game.
14U and up, it's fine. It's part of the game. Some kids are better at taking a ball to the elbow, thigh, arm than others. For those who don't want to get hit, do a good job of getting out of the way. Others not so much.No, it's not Ok to tell a kid to let the pitch hit them. It doesn't matter the score or the level. Our first job as coaches is to protect them. There are unavoidable injuries that occur, but to purposely put someone in danger is just wrong.
This right here.No, it's not Ok to tell a kid to let the pitch hit them. It doesn't matter the score or the level. Our first job as coaches is to protect them. There are unavoidable injuries that occur, but to purposely put someone in danger is just wrong.
Neanderthal Coaching. BUT, your DDs coach should have picked up on it and talked to the ump. There is a whole TB ORG. that teaches this crap. Batter starts with elbow in the strike zone.My DD pitched a game against a team for a second time. First time 1 hit 1 run (on an overthrow) in 5 innings. Second time their coach believing they could not hit her was having batters stand in the river (line was worn out) trying to get hit. I did not know the rule was completely in the box or realize until toward the end of the game or I would have told her coaches. She hit 3 and swears 2 of the were strikes.
My problem is someone will get hurt. The girls should be trying to improve hitting. Always wrong to cheat to win win because you are better.
She might have a slightly different take if the pitcher was throwing 68 mph.We've never suggested anyone get hit, but we made sure they understand getting on base by HBP is just as valuable as a single. Last season, with probably two games remaining, my 8th grader had one come at her leg. She stood there like a rock and watched it come in and hit her on the thigh. Was looking at her thigh as it hit. Then she screams "yeah! finally!" and proceeds to tell me at 1B that she hadn't been hit all year. All I could do was shake my head and laugh. Of my two girls, she was always the dainty one. Softball has turned her into something......different.