Expert: Willie Ansley Jr. - 5/2/2008

Question
I have a 9 and 10 yr. old team. They are all beginers in baseball. I have been practising them on hitting and they hit off me on a regular( batting practise) but in a game they are not making contact. There bat go silent. I tried to let my pitchers pitch batting practise but they are not making consistant contact and when they do, it barley clears the infield or is a grounder. ( Please Help I am a new coach and feel maybe I am the problem or is it just something that will come the more they do it?

Answer
Nothing is a easy fix but here are a few things you can try.First have the kids start to work on whenever they finish their swing, they must be looking down at home plate.This will allow them to start tracking the ball all the way to the contact zone.Second have them start to hit little mini baseketballs.They are a little heavier and kids that age love to play games to see who can hit them the fartherst.Just stand slightly in front of them off to the side and toss the ball up in the zone and let them take a wack at it.This will help them to learn how to drive thru the baseball when they make contact.If you want to watch video to help you kids I have some grat training videos.