Many players are afraid of being hit with a pitched ball and that fear leads to bad hitting habits and uneasiness at the plate. You must overcome the fear or you cannot concentrate on hitting. Understanding the situation will help you to focus on the ball and not dwell on being hit.

Being hit only hurts for a little while: Most young players are afraid because they’ve never been hit. The imagined hit is much more painful than the actual one. Most times a batter is hit in an area with “padding” and the pain is minimal.

Pitchers don’t often hit batters nor try to: Rarely is a player seriously hurt by a pitched ball, especially at the youth level. Most young pitchers cannot throw it hard enough to cause injury and definitely are not trying to hit you and allow you a “free trip” to first base.

If you have good hitting techniques, you can get out of the way: If you keep your EYES on the ball it is very hard to get hit by it, especially in the head…why? Your head is the most flexible part of the body and easiest to move. Also, always turn your back to the ball and duck it you are not sure of a pitch.

Batting helmets work: The helmet will absorb the hit and the earflaps will protect your head. ALWAYS wear a batting helmet when swinging a bat and when running the bases. Do not rely on the helmet but it will definitely help!