Moving From Machine Pitch to Kid Pitch
Also known as: machine pitch to kid pitch, kid pitch softball, player pitch softball, first year of kid pitch, transition to kid pitch, hitting in kid pitch
Kid pitch is harder at first because pitches change speed and location and some are wild. There is also an arm motion to time instead of a steady machine. Help young hitters by practicing against live arms, teaching them to take balls and to turn away safely from inside pitches. Expect lots of walks and strikeouts early. Celebrate good swings at strikes.
A machine throws the same pitch over and over. Young hitters learn to time it, but they never have to judge balls and strikes. Kid pitch changes all of that. Many pitches miss the zone, some come in hard and some bounce. The hitter must watch the pitcher's arm circle and release to find her timing. Leagues make the switch at different ages.
Practice should look like the new game. Front toss and live pitching from teammates or coaches help hitters time a real release. Let hitters take pitches and call them ball or strike. Teach them to turn the back toward the catcher on an inside pitch. Getting hit is part of the change, and a hitter who knows how to turn away safely is less likely to bail.
Patience matters. Early kid-pitch games often have more walks than hits. That is normal. Praise good decisions and aggressive swings at strikes more than results. USA Softball's 10U pitching distance is 35 feet. Practice at that distance so the timing matches games.
Tips by skill level
Have your hitter watch the pitcher's arm and say 'now' when the ball comes out. It builds the habit of timing a real pitcher.
In practice, mix a few balls into live pitching on purpose. Reward hitters who take them as much as hitters who hit strikes hard.
Example
A 9-year-old who hit well against the machine strikes out often in her first kid-pitch games. Her coach adds front toss and live pitching from teammates at 35 feet. He also has her call balls and strikes during practice. By midseason she is swinging at strikes and taking balls.
Why it matters
The first season of kid pitch shapes a young player's confidence. A good plan keeps her swinging and enjoying the game while her skills catch up.
Common mistakes
- Practicing only against a machine after the switch
- Expecting machine-pitch results right away
- Never teaching the hitter how to turn away from a pitch
- Judging the season by batting average
Frequently asked questions
How do I help my 8U hitter move to kid pitch?
Practice against live arms, teach her to take balls and to turn away safely from inside pitches, and expect walks and strikeouts early. Praise good swings at strikes.
Why is my daughter striking out in kid pitch?
Kid-pitch pitches vary in speed and location, and she has to time an arm motion instead of a machine. That takes practice against live pitching and patience.
Sources
Related terms
- Teaching a Young Fast-Pitch Hitter (Parent Guide)Teach a young fast-pitch hitter the basics in order. Start with a balanced stance and eyes on the ball, then a short stride and a level, on-time swing. Use a light bat she can control, lots of tee and soft-toss swings with soft balls, and short sessions that praise solid contact.
- Fear of the Ball (Hitting)Fear of the ball is normal, especially after a hitter has been hit by a pitch. Rebuild trust in steps with softer balls and slower speeds. Teach the hitter to turn away from an inside pitch by tucking the chin and turning the front shoulder in toward the catcher. Add speed only as the hitter stays in comfortably.
- Swing Decisions (Fast-Pitch)A good swing decision means swinging at pitches you can drive and taking the rest. In fast pitch, the common chases are rise balls above the zone and drops or curves in the dirt. Get ready to swing on every pitch, then hold up on balls, and narrow your zone early in the count.
- Soft Toss vs Front TossSoft toss and front toss are two ways a partner feeds underhand tosses into a hitter's swing. In soft toss, the tosser kneels or stands to the side, or at an angle in front, and the hitter drives the ball into a net. In front toss, the tosser stands in front, about 15 feet away behind a protective screen, so the ball comes from the pitcher's direction. Soft toss suits mechanics and many reps; front toss adds timing.
- Batting Helmet Face Mask (Fast-Pitch)Under USA Softball rules, every youth fast-pitch batting helmet must have a securely fastened face mask or guard approved by NOCSAE. High school (NFHS) rules also require one on fast-pitch batting helmets. Adult fast-pitch players need a double ear-flap helmet, and a face mask is optional. Make sure the mask is approved for use with that helmet.
Related guides & benchmarks
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