Expert: John Priest - 5/26/2008

Question
             my son is 9 and has played 2 yrs. t-ball, 1 yr.machine pitch then moved up to pony leauge because of b/day but has allways and is still afraid of the ball. you know he turns his head away when ball is coming at him thus does not make good cathes any exercises or training to help overcome ball fright thank you

Answer
Stanley,
    One thing that may work is getting a safety ball.  You may have seen these balls before.  They have different levels from very soft to almost the feel of a real baseball.  The softest ball is just like a real baseball.  Showing him that the safety ball is soft may get his comfort level to change.  As he becomes more comfortable to the new ball graduate to the next level.
    Also, work on ground balls.  Ground balls will also build his confidence and you can work in some thrown balls.  You can also try throwing a football or basketball with him to get him used to the catching motion.  Make a game out of it to keep it fun.
    If all else fails you can try getting him a new glove.  This may make him want to use it and it may get him to practice more and want to catch the ball with the new glove.  

Good luck, and let me know if their is anything else I can do to help.

Thank You,
John Priest
Nokona Batman
www.nokonawreckingcrew.com