| First of all, please realize that if you have a fear | | | | recommend turning more toward the pitcher if |
| of the baseball, you are not alone. Just the | | | | you already have a fear of the ball. But what |
| opposite is true. In fact, almost all baseball hitters | | | | happens is that you will see the ball much better. |
| at every level have a fear of the baseball to one | | | | And just seeing the ball better will give you much |
| extent or the other. True, the amount of fear | | | | more confidence that you can get out of the |
| does vary significantly. | | | | way of the pitch if you have to. |
| You may have possibly gotten hit by a pitch and | | | | Make sure that your front shoulder and front arm |
| it may have been very painful experience and | | | | are not too high. Make sure they are not even |
| given you a very unpleasant lasting memory. | | | | coming close to obstructing any of your view of |
| Getting hit by a pitched ball can be outright | | | | the ball. |
| disheartening and scary and you have every right | | | | With younger players especially, pitch to them |
| in the world to be fearful. | | | | with a tennis or plastic ball and occasionally throw |
| If this is the case, it will take some time for you | | | | the ball right at them. Watch and enjoy as their |
| to have most of that fear fade away. The best | | | | confidence grows when they come to realize |
| cure in the world is many, many at bats. The | | | | they CAN safely get out of the way of the ball. |
| more at bats you have without going through this | | | | This is one of the best baseball coaching drills that |
| painful experience again is the best cure and you | | | | can be used to help a player, especially a younger |
| should be able to get your fear under much | | | | one. |
| better control. | | | | And remember the safest way to get out of the |
| Don't ever be embarrassed about having a fear | | | | way from an inside pitch. Tuck your chin in |
| of the baseball. Many hitters have a fear of the | | | | against your chest, bend at the waist and make a |
| baseball and the amount of fear they have will | | | | quarter turn toward the catcher. Think of it as if |
| vary. Many will not admit they have a fear. So if | | | | you are going to have a nose to nose argument |
| you have a fear of the ball, trust me, you are not | | | | with the catcher. This will protect your head and |
| alone by any means. | | | | face, chest, stomach and groin area. You're much |
| Baseball Coaching Tips That Should Help: | | | | better off getting hit in the upper, middle or lower |
| Open up your stance and turn your head more | | | | part of the back or the rear end than getting hit |
| toward the pitcher. It seems a little ironic to | | | | anywhere on the front of your body. |