Poor hitter/bat size

Question
My 11 yr old 5ft 3 in 125lb son has been playing sports since 5 yrs old. Since he is somewhat larger than most his age , he has always been on teams with slightly older children. The problem I have found with that is the fact that he is "expected' to preform = to the 'older' boys.
When he first started kid pitch with his age group, due to his height, he was always getting hit by the ball on deck, causing an ingrained fear of being hit by the ball. When he was put with the slightly older boys he was 'ignored' during hitting drills, with the obvious assumption that he just could NOT hit...nobody said this but........actions speak loud.
We are now trying again and need advice on bat size and hitting. last year the entire season passed with not one touch of contact with the ball.
Now are some children just not 'meant' for this activity?
Can these fears of being hit cause the choke?
(In batting cages with automatic machines he is making contact)
He wants to play so much, but has anxiety and gets embarassed at the moans and groans when he gets up to bat.........what do I do?


Answer
Lauren,

Thanks for the question.  Hitting a pitched ball is, in my opinion, the hardest action to perform well in all of sports.  Putting a round bat on a round ball in a way that propels the ball hard and far the other way is difficult.  It does take a lot of talent and yes, some kids simply are not built to do it well.

With that said, if your son is an athletic, physically talented boy, he can do it.  He just has to be taught the right way.  

As far as his fear of getting hit, this is most likely multiplied by the fact that he is not hitting the ball and the groans that he hears.  He has no confidence.

Your best option, and only one in my opinion, is to seek out professional lessons.  You need to find a professional hitting instructor in your area and take your son, first for an evaluation.  The evaluation should allow the instructor to tell if your son has the necessary tools to be a hitter, whether it be an average, good or excellent hitter.  He should be able to let you know.

Then he will need lessons, maybe 2 or 3 per week at first.  Then he will need practice.  Daily practice.

It may be that be that hitting and baseball are not wired into his abilities; however, if they are, you will find out.  If they aren't, you will find out as well. Then you will know and there will be no more anxiety or worry on either of your parts.

As far as the fear, it should go away with confidence.

I hope this helps.

Mike