Expert: Willie Ansley Jr. - 4/27/2011

Question
My son was hit by a fast ball last year when he was 9 while hitting.  This was a very bad hit and he was hurt physically for a few days but mentally hasn't been right since.  We have been stuggling with him for 6 months now.  He can hit the ball when in batting cage , coach, wifle ball , but when he gets up wiuth another kid pitching to him he tenses up and starts to move away and sometimes gets visibleupset.  We are at a point where after 6 months he got his first kid pitch a week ago while indoors and he was hit by the ball again, albeit not by the pitch but it bounced up in the cage and came back and hit him in the face.  We really needs some suggestions before we loose him forever.  With everything you have to learn to face your fears do you have any suggestions.  We really believe this is mental and confidence thing.

Answer
Get him everything he can wear for protection. By the elbow protector. The football under armor that protects your ribs. get him the face guard. get him the sliding shorts that have the thigh pads for protection. This will ease his fear of getting hit and give him the confidence to stand in there. Sorry for the long delay.