pitch the ball from close distance, so he could ragain confidance on staying in the box at the same tme he'll focus on hitting the ball along way from a soft easy pitch

Try letting him use the helmet with guards..This will give him a feeling of protection. Then let him practice with live pitching. So what he's doing in practice will happen during games.

http://www.softballperformance.com/mental-training/building-confidence-and-avoiding-fear.html

Make sure he's turning away from the ball (kissing the bat) if it's an inside pitch, and not moving his feet. If his back is at an angle, it will deflect and hurt less. For our team of 2nd / 3rd graders, we also gave them an ice cream each time they got hit by a pitch. It definitely worked as a mental distraction, with everyone shouting "ice cream" as the batter took 1st base.

It might help, as Joel mentions above, to pitch from a closer distance. I would start with wiffle balls pitched underhand from the side. If one of these hits him, it certainly will do no damage and will help him to stop thinking about getting hit. After the confidence is built, go to a safety ball with the same drill then graduate to a level 5 or so. Keep the drills short and once he has hit a few well, move on to something else. This is something that will take positive reinforcement over months not days.

Agree Ron! Build back up the confidence physically and positive reinforcement verbally as you are working with him. He has a nice swing so let him know that at the time. Like "Nice swing, thats what you are looking for." Or whatever it takes. Time will repair the issue. Keep an eye on that front foot all the way to full correction. Good luck!

An open stance may help him gain some confidence in tracking the baseball. The stance allows one to see the ball with two eyes and not just one. For ex., a right handed hitter usually is right eye dominant. But, you're using the left eye. Open up and use both to see more clearly.

Get him a batting helmet with a cage on the front of it (you can buy them cheap at walmart) and take him to the batting cage, etc for lots of practice. Our daughter went through this. Help him to "trust his gear" to protect him. He is going to get hit, but like others above suggest, teach him how to turn back to "direct" where it will hit him and its not as painful. Good luck!

I agree with the helmet with guards as well as pitching with a live pitcher. Maybe even one off his team or a buddy from another team. My cousin was hit several years back and was an excellent ball player but we did not get him back in there after it happened and he never got over the trauma of getting hit. He ended up quitting baseball and we have regretted that ever since. Encouragement goes a long way! Hang in there.

Keith, I've been playing baseball for many, many years and have soaked up as much as possible. Here are some basic, easy tips your son can relate to and with lots of practice and encouragement, he'll be all over that plate! Goodluck!

Step 1 - Learn the proper way to get out of the way of a pitch. Rather than step out of the batters box, you should keep your feet planted and turn your head and body so that the back of your head and your back are facing the pitcher.

Step 2 - Practice getting out of the way by standing in the batter's box and having a friend softly pitch tennis balls or another type of softer ball to you. Have your friend start out by throwing strikes and then gradually start throwing more inside.

Step 3 - Continue practicing by having your friend mix up the pitches--some balls inside and some strikes. Turn your body when you think you are going to be hit and stay in the box and hold your position if it is a ball you would normally swing at.

Step 4 - Take your knowledge into a real game once you get comfortable with your ability to get out of the way of a pitch that may hit you. Stay focused and confident in your approach and know that you know you can get out of the way effectively if needed.

When i was in High School we had to do this drill because people were not turning into the ball like they should be. We started off the drill with wiffle balls, what you do is you throw the ball.... the pitcher has two choices you either throw the ball over the plate, the batter learns to follow the ball with his eyes into the catchers glove, or the pitcher throws the ball at the batter, and the batter uses the same idea of following the ball into the plate but he just turns and gets hit in the back. Once he gains his confidence in the box, and being able to protect himself, then you can advance to rubber balls and so on. I highly suggest an open stance it helped me out in seeing the ball better, and in timing the pitch to the plate.