Teach my boy to switch hit

[trblshooter]

Has anyone ever taught their kid or themselves how to switch hit? My boy throws left and bats right. He's a damn good ball player, plays center field and is a relief pitcher and is a solid leadoff hitter.

I'd like to add another tool to his bag and I hear because he already throws left teaching him to bat left would be somewhat easy. He's thirteen now and will be going into the 8th grade next year. So we have about a year and a half to work on it before he gets to hs. He was picked up by an elite ball club two years ago. The coach will work with him but outside of normal practice hours and on my dime so I'd like to do it myself.

[Cooter]

offer him a dollar per ball he gets a good solid hit on left handed... I'm talking practice swings, not in game. Once he gets to where he's hurting your pocket, mix up the incentive. Kids are simple creatures. If he's really got something and already somewhat ambidextrous, you might as well foster it. Money well spent IMO if it gives him a leg up

[trblshooter]

that's not really what I was looking for man... he's still a boy if he quits baseball tomorrow I'm cool with it but it's his decision. I'm no uber dad... he's asked me about switch hitting so here we are. We (I) am more concerned with grades right now.

[Cooter]

then make it a contest between the two of you... go to the batting cages and each of you bat with your off hand. It sounds like he'll show you up if he's already somewhat ambi. Just nudge him along and foster his abilities in a fun way

[ELVIS]

Please tell me this concerns baseball.

God bless.

[Cooter]

lmdao @ Paul

[Scott Mc]

then make it a contest between the two of you... go to the batting cages and each of you bat with your off hand. It sounds like he'll show you up if he's already somewhat ambi. Just nudge him along and foster his abilities in a fun way

This, even if it doesn't work you will build a badass memory.

[trblshooter]

god damnit I'm saving the other switch hit talk if that ever comes up. good lord I'll need help in that case.

[BradM]

god damnit I'm saving the other switch hit talk if that ever comes up. good lord I'll need help in that case.

Elvis will help.

[Sean88gt]

My son is a lefty, haven't started the right handed swings yet. He's 5 (6 in Aug), so I have some time. The kid is money though, the only time he didn't hit was when the coach beaned him (coach pitch/advanced t-ball). He hasn't used a tee in 2 seasons and was just selected as the first alternate to the all-star team - yeah, I know, it's fucking coach pitch tee-ball, but still a pretty proud moment for me, since he's on the younger end (2 youngest out of 11 kids).

[trblshooter]

My son is a lefty, haven't started the right handed swings yet. He's 5 (6 in Aug), so I have some time. The kid is money though, the only time he didn't hit was when the coach beaned him (coach pitch/advanced t-ball). He hasn't used a tee in 2 seasons and was just selected as the first alternate to the all-star team - yeah, I know, it's fucking coach pitch tee-ball, but still a pretty proud moment for me, since he's on the younger end (2 youngest out of 11 kids).

I coached two coach pitch teams... just lobbing a ball to the plate is a lot harder than it looks. I started throwing knuckle balls because it was the only thing I could control at a slow speed. guess what... my boy is the only one in his league that throws a knuckle. He smiles when he throws one...batter=mind blown

[Cooter]

if he can foster that knuckle ball while working on other pitches, he'll have something...

[davbrucas]

The game is hard enough as it is...why make it harder? Let him play what is natural for him.

[JC316]

Practice makes perfect in most things sports related, but I doubt that he will ever be as good on his off side as he is on the natural side. I am fairly ambidextrous, but I'm always best with my right. I can play tennis at a high level with my right, but I am passable with my left, same goes for bowling.

The biggest thing about it is EVERYTHING changes when switching, from the foot placement to the style of swing, even the thinking aspect changes. Fun example, I have a wicked one handed backhand when I play right handed, but left handed, I have a strong two handed backhand. I can't use a two handed when I'm right, and I can't use a one handed when I'm left.

[Country cracker]

When I played I was a left handed pitcher and batted right hand. My biggest obstacle when trying to switch was keeping my form, mainly my feet. I actually had more power once I got my form down. My coach tied a string around my feet to help keep my form and yeah I fell a few times, but it worked.