I’m an assistant  softball coach for American West Little League for 7-9 year olds. We’ve had 3 practices to date, and the girls are still learning the process and the consequences of not using both hands to catch the ball.  Each practice, someone gets hit in the head.  Based on the team’s feedback, aside from the name, there is nothing soft about the ball.

The head coach was worried about potential injuries.  How many times can you get hit in the head before it causes permanent brain damage?  Fortunately for her, I was there to offer a piece of wisdom from my early softball days.

After you get hit by the ball a few times, you learn how to use both hands

The head coach asked, “How so?”

You get sick and tired of getting hit in the head.