Come on man, you played baseball up through high school and the only time you got hit by a baseball was in the head and it knocked you out?

8 year old boy just starting his first season of kid pitch baseball and playing with a regulation hardball.

He has played 3 seasons with a saf-t-ball. A baseball that has a soft squeezable outer cover.

This year he is afraid to even play catch. He even steps out of the batters box when I or one of the other coaches pitch to him. Try to practice pop flys with him and he practically runs away.

He was not a great or even good player at lower levels but he always gave his best and enjoyed the game.

He is frustrated and I hate to admit that I am getting frustrated as well. I have to admit that I have thought of tying him to the backstop and throwing balls at him until he gets over his fear. Of course, I would never do it, at least I think I won't.

Has anyone else gone through this? Advice?

He wants to quit but I tell him that our family doesn't quit when we've made a commitment. But it hurts me to see him struggle and not know what to do to help.

I played D1 baseball in college. I played mostly outfield but our 2nd baseman was also a relief pitcher and I would move in to play 2nd when he was on the mound. In my final season, a guy that looked a hell of a lot like Kyle Schrwarber turned on a ball and hit a top spin rocket right at me. I tried to short hop it, chest and eyes down like I was taught from the time I was 10, the ball kicked almost straight up and hit me on the bridge of the nose and right eye socket, both were broken. The broken bone in my nose punctured the skin and blood sprayed everywhere. I could hear the crowd screaming as I walked around looking for the ball which ended up in left field.

The injuries healed pretty quickly, I was able to play again just a few weeks later, but the urge to flinch is permanent. That was more than a sting.

8 year old boy just starting his first season of kid pitch baseball and playing with a regulation hardball.

He has played 3 seasons with a saf-t-ball. A baseball that has a soft squeezable outer cover.

This year he is afraid to even play catch. He even steps out of the batters box when I or one of the other coaches pitch to him. Try to practice pop flys with him and he practically runs away.

He was not a great or even good player at lower levels but he always gave his best and enjoyed the game.

He is frustrated and I hate to admit that I am getting frustrated as well. I have to admit that I have thought of tying him to the backstop and throwing balls at him until he gets over his fear. Of course, I would never do it, at least I think I won't.

Has anyone else gone through this? Advice?

He wants to quit but I tell him that our family doesn't quit when we've made a commitment. But it hurts me to see him struggle and not know what to do to help.