I need some pay to play coach-pitch rec league baseball advice... for first time player?
Question:He is 8, tall & skinny & bats with a 27-28 in 15.5 oz bat, (it's a 29in bat with a choke nub). He practices with this bat at home with us & in certain practice cages as it's a composite bat. He does fine with us, little kid inconsistanties included. His coach insists on making him use a 26 in 16oz T-ball bat that looks too small, feels terrible in my kids hands & makes my kid hate to go up to bat. It kills his confidence & he is already nervous at the plate and doesn't hit well w/ it either. I have told the coach WE want him to use the bat we researched & bought for him. BUT "he has been coaching for years & KNOWS what he is doing. My kid is a first time player & until he hits the ball good with this (ill fitted) bat he doesn't & won't let him use his bat", his words. We have called the ASSOC. they said that the coach can't say this & my kid is to use his bat at todays game. How do I handle it if the coach comes out to the plate & tries to switch the bat AGAIN, after he was told not
Answers:
2 types of fastballs?How should they be thrown?
Before the game begins, approach the coach and tell him that your son has been practicing with his own bat and feels comfortable with it, and tell him just to give him a chance with it and see how he does. If the coach still disagrees tell him to quit being so closed minded and you are going to ask the leauge for a new coach and take your son and leave. I know it sounds rude, but a coach has no business telling a kid what bat to use if its his own and he can handle it... Just make sure its not too heavy for him and hes not swinging late on the ball.I've seen a couple videos on TV where parents attack coaches...
If the coach won't let him use his bat until he hits well with the other one, perhaps it wouldn't hurt to let him hit with it. He's probably picking up on your dislike of the bat, and if you tell him that you think it's best, hopefully he'll go with it. After he gets a few good hits with the coaches bat, then ask the coach if it's ok to let him use his own. The coach may be experienced, or he may just be a control freak. Either way, the best resolve for the long term is to amicably resolve the situation with the coach feeling like he accomplished his goal of instructing the child. Most importantly is the child being able to play and the coach not harboring any ill will towards him over something so silly, which he may if he feels you went over his head to the association.
If he knows so much why is he coaching COACH PITCH? Just tell your boy to go up with his bat and refuse to use the other one.
I got an idea. Have your boy warm up and start to walk up to the plate with the crappy bat. Then stop him and give him the bat yourself. Then he'll see how much you want him to use that bat.
:-)
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