overcoming stage fright in the batters box

Question
My son just turned nine years old.  He just moved up in baseball to kids pitch league.  He hits very well when practicing whether it be at home, in a batting cage, or on the field with the team.  However, his first game was last night and everytime he came up to bat, he didn't swing at all.  Not only did he not swing, but he jumped out of the batter's box several times when the ball was pitched.  What can my husband or I do to help him get over this during a game?  Please help!!!

Answer
Hello Michelle

I'm sorry, I thought I'd answered this question. If this is still going on, here are some ideas.

The first thing I'd suggest is talk to him about how he feels when he's in the batters box when he practices, when he's in a batting cage, or on the field with the team.  

Then ask him how he feels when he's in the batters box during a game.  

I wonder if he saw someone get hit in a game, or heard others talk about someone who got hit.  Children can develop a fear based on second-hand knowledge.  Letting him talk and validating how he feels (instead of, for example, trying to logically tell him he shouldn't feel that way) might be enough to help him overcome it.  

This is especially true if, while he's talking to you, he convinces himself that it's OK to hit the ball during a game.  

Does he admire a certain baseball player?  You might use that player with the FEEL - FELT - FOUND routine, i.e. "I think I can understand how you FEEL, because I read somewhere that Mickey Mantle FELT that way, and he FOUND by focusing on the stitching of the baseball he hit better and had a lot more fun."

Good luck and let me know how it goes.

David

David Kenward, The Mental Coach
Sacramento, California
http://www.thementalcoach.com
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