From Ask the Baseball Pro:
Kim wrote:
My son is 9 first year of kid pitch travel ball and really struggling. Coach wants to keep him- sees lots of potential, but its really hurting his confidence. Should we go back down for a season in rec. ball? Not to mention its killing me to watch him. Thanks!

From the Baseball Pro:
This is a tough situation. The easy thing to say would be that they are 9 years old and it is supposed to be fun. But if you are a competitive person you do not have fun while struggling. One thing I do know is that when you struggle you really struggle with your confidence as well. So one thing you could do to build that confidence might be getting some sort of coaching. Maybe it is some hitting lessons at the local batting cage or pitching lessons whatever it may be. Other than that you know your son the best and if he is starting to not like playing, its not worth his time.
Your Baseball Pro, Steve Holm

P.S. How many 9 year olds are ready for travel ball? Kids mature at different rates, so another year in recreational ball and some coaching could make a world of difference. Also, playing another sport season can make a difference–soccer players make good baseball players, but there are other sports (my son plays volleyball as well). It’s key that he enjoy the sport and feel good about competing!
Host Mom, Jean

Each season we host a new ball player as players move up in the San Francisco Giants farm system. We miss the player from the previous season, but welcome another player. This year our baseball player is Wayne Foltin, who played on the Augusta, Georgia, Green Jackets single A team last summer. Wayne enjoys having a lot more fans in the San Jose Giants ballpark than the stadiums he played in last season. He’s happy to be back in California, since he grew up here and attended community college in Bakersfield. You can see his profile on the San Jose Giants website!

We enjoy seeing our ballplayers in games, but closing pitchers aren’t scheduled, so seeing them play is hit or miss!
Host Mom, Jean

Minor League baseball players work hard to move up the different levels of baseball, with the dream of making the “Majors”. Steve lived with us during the 2006 season, but now he has moved up to the San Francisco Giants AA minor league baseball team on the East Coast at Norwich. Many of his teammates from 2006 also moved up wth him, so we are hoping to see them continue to move up the baseball farm systemm and end up playing back here in the Bay area.

Check out Steve’s profile for this season at the Connecticut Defender website.

Also, check out an interview with Steve Holm at the Norwich Bulletin, the local newspaper, featuring minor league players. Hmmmm, he’s supposed to like seafood on the East Coast, not beef! We miss having him here in San Jose…..
Host Mom, Jean