Question
My son is left handed. He hits from the right and left. Last year he was hitting a little better (maybe 30/50) from the left as opposed to (25/50) from the right. He is a bit stronger hitting right handed though. We have been working on both sides when we practice at home but this years coach is trying to keep him right only. His swing is pretty natural from either side, I can't even set up right from the left. After the game Sunday the coach pulled him aside and said see hunter thats why I want you hitting right, he was 3 for 3, you can't do that from the left. He can is the problem, the coach does not give him this opportunity. The coach also tried to tell us that we need to stop working on both sides at home. My thought is to continue to work both sides and there may be some time that he will become much better at one side over the other, be it due to eye dominance or just strength but not from a coach at his current age, and at that point stick to the better side. I don't believe at 8 he should close the opening or ability to hit either way. Anybody have any advice on this type of dilemma?
Answers (3)
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I grew up in baseball as my father was a coach, umpire.. baseball freak.. and I am now a team mom of tball kids with an older child who had a similar issue as you.. being ambidextrous, he's normally a lefty, but bats and throws righty. His dad wanted him to do both, but decided to let him do what's comfortable for him. Now he is comfortable and very good at both batting and throwing righty.
What does your son want to do? What is HE comfortable with? Is he trying to bat both ways to please you (parents) or is it something he just likes to do? Does he complain about doing both ways when you work outside the practice or does he seem to challenge himself and make a game of it (in your private practices). If he isn't comfortable with it and is just doing it to please you, then I would let him focus on the side he is more comfortable with.
On the other hand, if it is something he wants to keep trying.. just keep practicing at home, let your son know that this is his 'secret special powers practice' and he can't tell anyone. You could change teams or just wait patiently until next season and then ask the coach at that time, if he has an issue with switching or if he can help your son in any way, (tips, etc) The coach cannot tell you what to do with your son in your private practice and should have chosen a better way to explain things to you. He does, however, have a good point about focusing on one way and not both.
At the age of 8, switch hitting is usually just something parents want to have their kids do so they are more well rounded later on. I do believe it's better to have the kids at this age learn basic skills and game play. Maybe if the child was in the Major age group 11-13 or older, but it really isn't necessary now. Right now he does need to focus on skill and the game rather than switch hitting. Now is the time to keep him engaged and learning so that his skill gets better... he is not going to get better by practicing more on both sides, but has a much better chance of it by focusing his attention on one thing. Best of luck! ~Ann
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Play on more than one team.
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Sorry but I kinda agree with the coach. I would focus more on his dominent side and make him a more consistent batter. Once he reaches something like 45/50 or at a later age then focus on switch hitting.
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