Expert: Dennis Girardi - 3/24/2009

Question
my 7 year old son is in his 3rd year of baseball.  two years of tball (best kid on team both years) and now he is on peewee team.  the kids pitch to him. he is the youngest, smallest, etc.  he got hit by our own pitcher really hard in the left side/back area during a practice.  he fell to the ground.  it was his first time.  he went to the dugout.  i talked to him, he did go back out there and hit a nice ball off the coach, not kid.  at our 1st game, he just stood there and struck out.  he jumped back from all the balls even though they weren't even close to hitting him.  he told me that he doesn't want to play anymore because he is afraid of getting hit.  he said he will play if the coach will pitch, but he hates when the kids pitch to him.  any suggestions.

Answer
Hey Amanda,

I hate to see that. Every kid is different. Some can put it out of their mind and others can't.. He needs to realize that usually, it only hurts for a short time.  I wish I knew what to tell you. You talked to him, which is what I would have suggested.. He needs to get back up on that horse..
Sorry, I'm not much of a help here..
Good Luck and let me know what happens.
Dennis