OK, I think it’s best for you all to know the full story.

My name is Alex and I’m on my schools JV Baseball team. I play mostly middle infield, and I can play third as well. I’m usually a really good defender- definitely one of the better defensive players on this team. I’m good at turning DPs. I hardly ever bobble the ball. And for the most part I’m pretty accurate with my throws.

Last year, I got cut from JV because I didn’t have the strength. I’ve never been a real muscular kid. I’m short and skinny. And while my baseball skills were fine, my strength wasn’t. And that translated to lower bat speed, slow twitch muscles and low velocity on my throws. For that reason I got cut. So this offseason, I decided that if I had any chance of making the team, I needed to be stronger. I started working out three times a week, working on strength and agility. I also went to hitting lessons for around 4-5 months before this years tryouts. I really got my swing down. It was clean and about as good as it can get. I had a great tryout, I was strong enough now, I was just crushing the ball offensively, and I got on the team, and I got a ton of praise from every coach there.

But we’re getting into practices now. Our first game is on Tuesday on the road (and being in NYC, it’s probably far away). And for some reason, at these practices, I just can’t hit the freaking ball anymore. It’s driving me nuts. I’m having bad at bats, my timing is off. I’m taking some pretty bad swings. It’s as if all that work I did during the offseason didn’t happen. I don’t know why that happens, but when I get up to the plate in a game, it’s different than practice. My pitch selection isn’t very good, and I never seem to be getting a good swing on it these days. I’ve only had 5 at bats against live pitching during all these practices the last month, and I’m 0-4 with a walk and a run scored. Thats terrible, and if you saw the swings I’ve been taking, you would know.

I don’t know what the problem is. I’m hitting a lot of weak grounders or pop ups. I’m not hitting anything solidly. Every good pitch I get to hit either my timing is off and I miss, or I foul it straight back. The season starts on Tuesday, and I’m already almost sure that I’m not going to be starting- as this other kid (who I hate to death because he is so cocky and an awful teammate) has hit better than me, and although I’m the better defender he’s gonna get to start. But I don’t think anything is set in stone, and I want to get my swing down so that if he goes into a slump, then maybe I could get some playing time and maybe start toward the middle-end of the season. I do fine in practice. It’s just when I step up to the plate against live pitching, I just can’t get it right right now. I know it’s just five at bats, but I expect a ton out of myself and baseball means a lot to me. I don’t want to just sit on the bench the whole year after everything I did this offseason to even get on the team. I like the praise I got from all the coaches when I was hitting the ball and got on the team. I’m getting none of that now and I’m starting to lose confidence in myself. I’ve never been that popular either so I don’t get the support from teammates that some other guys on the team get if I’m not doing well.

Any tips? Sorry this was so long but I don’t think I can get the best tips without you knowing everything.

Jugs Lite Flite Pitching

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I am not dissing soccer, in fact I used to play lots of soccer when I was a kid-FOR FUN; not some league, and I would school the kids who had been playing in pro youth leagues ever since they were old enough to kick the ball without tipping over, despite my complete lack of many years of rigorous training, conditioning, coaching and practice like they had. I just think with pro Baseball, Basketball, Football, and Hockey having their popularity that there is no space left in our culture for a 5th major sport, despite people that keep hyping American soccer as the next big thing. You know just a few years ago Arena League Football was the next big thing and we all know how that played out.
I meant those private leagues and organizations that kids play soccer in when they are young, you know like what Little League is to youth baseball.

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I’m gonna try out for a softball team tomorrow that has already been together for like 2 weeks but I quit the sport I originally got. It’s 7th-12th grade and the coach says some of them are pretty good. I played baseball from 3rd-4th grade and softball in 5th. I was like the second or third best on the team behind the coach’s son(s). I’m in 7th grade and I’m gonna be the only 7th grader if I make it. It’s a school team and I go to private school but the kids are still really bratty. I know only one 8th grade girl who seems nice.I’m sooo nervous! Like what if I don’t do good and I go out there and embarrass myself in front of al of the other girls? Cause I quit one sport because I didn’t have endurance for it (it was track)! Could you please give me some tips or anything?

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I’m gonna try out for a softball team tomorrow that has already been together for like 2 weeks but I quit the sport I originally got. It’s 7th-12th grade and the coach says some of them are pretty good. I played baseball from 3rd-4th grade and softball in 5th. I was like the second or third best on the team behind the coach’s son(s). I’m in 7th grade and I’m gonna be the only 7th grader if I make it. It’s a school team and I go to private school but the kids are still really bratty. I know only one 8th grade girl who seems nice.I’m sooo nervous! Like what if I don’t do good and I go out there and embarrass myself in front of al of the other girls? Cause I quit one sport because I didn’t have endurance for it (it was track)! Could you please give me some tips or anything?

Jugs Lite Flite Pitching

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I am in huge consideration for trying out for a team (U14) in March I think it is and I need your help on a few question I will put them in order. Last, no stupid things like:
You have no chance or
Don’ try because you suck or
Don’t brag or say any other stuff or it will be quickly reported.
Well here are the questions:
1. What do they do in tryouts at that level of ball.
2. Do you need any prior experience in house league baseball like young level or any other prior teams.
3. Some tips on making the team easier (if there is to get on the coaches side or anything like that).
4. I want to know the talent level at 13 years old like how far do they hit and the pitching speed and other things.
5. A good way to practice throughout the winter.
So what you are telling me that I should have played earlier and now they won`t except me on the team because I have no experience…

Jugs Lite Flite Pitching

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