The playoffs are on, and your young player is glued to the TV. That is a gift. Big-league hitters show kids things we try to teach every day, and they do it on the biggest stage there is.
When you watch the playoffs with your kid, point out how hitters battle with two strikes, reset between pitches, stay ready for the fastball, judge the strike zone and handle failure. Make it a game: call the pitch, count the pitches, and talk about one great at-bat.
Train it: 30-Day Mental Approach →Why watching the pros helps young hitters
Kids learn by watching. When they see a big-league hitter do something, they copy it in the backyard the next day.
You don't need to explain swing mechanics. Big-league swings are built for big-league bodies, and we never ask a 9-year-old to copy one. What kids can copy is how great hitters compete: how they think, how they breathe and how they never give away an at-bat.
Pick one thing to point out per game. One is plenty. A short, fun comment beats a long lecture every time. Not sure what your own hitter needs most? The free Quick Check gives you one clear first step.
1. Never give up in a long at-bat
In Game 3 of the 2026 National League Championship Series, Milwaukee’s Jake Bauers saw 11 pitches from Dodgers lefty Blake Snell. One pitch before the end, he hit a long foul ball that just missed being a home run. Then he hit the 11th pitch for a two-run home run that put the Brewers back in front, and Milwaukee went on to win 6-2.
That is the lesson: a long at-bat is a battle, not a loss. Big-league hitters keep fighting. They foul off tough pitches, learn from the near-miss and wait for one they can hit.
Ask your player: “He saw 11 pitches and still hit a home run. What did he keep doing?” Let them answer. Then tell them a long at-bat is a win, even when it ends in an out.
2. Watch what hitters do between pitches
Next time a hitter steps out of the box, watch together. Many adjust their gloves, take a breath, look at the coach and step back in. That is a reset.
Young players need a reset too. After a bad swing or a called strike, it is easy to carry that pitch into the next one. A breath and a simple routine wash it away.
- Step out with one foot.
- Take one slow breath.
- Say one word to yourself, like “ready.”
- Step back in and look at the pitcher.
Practice that four-step reset during commercials. It takes five seconds and kids love doing it with the hitters on TV.
3. Fast or slow? Play “call the pitch”
Playoff pitchers throw fast pitches and slower ones that move. Hitters have to be ready for the fast one and still adjust to the slow one.
Here is a couch game for ages 7 to 12. Before each pitch, everyone calls “fast” or “slow.” After the pitch, check the speed on the screen. One point for each right call.
It sounds simple, but it trains the same thing hitters do at the plate: watch the pitcher, read the ball early, and get ready on time. Younger kids can just shout “strike” or “ball” instead.
4. Judge the strike zone before the umpire
The TV box shows the strike zone on many broadcasts. Have your player call ball or strike out loud before the umpire does, then check the box.
Kids who learn the strike zone swing at better pitches. They walk more, chase less, and feel more in control at the plate.
Keep it light. If they miss a call, laugh and say, “That one fooled the hitter too.” The goal is watching the ball, not being perfect.
5. Notice how players handle failure
Even the best hitters in the world make outs most of the time. Watch what they do after a strikeout or an error. Most jog back calmly and get ready for the next play.
Point that out. “He struck out, and look, he's already cheering for his teammate.” Kids need to see that great players fail, too, and that failing is part of the game.
Late games and young bedtimes don't always mix. It is fine to watch highlights together the next morning instead. A two-minute clip can start the same great conversation.
One thing to remember
You don't need to coach the swing from the couch: point out one way great hitters compete, and let your player copy it.
What to do this week
Watch one playoff game or highlight together and play “call the pitch” for one inning. Then go outside and practice the four-step reset during a few tee swings.
Parent questions
Should my child copy a big-league hitter's swing?
No. Big-league swings fit big-league bodies and years of training. Have your child copy how great hitters compete, breathe and reset, not the exact swing.
How can I make watching baseball fun for a young kid?
Turn it into a game. Call fast or slow before each pitch, call ball or strike before the umpire, or count how many pitches each hitter sees.
What is a two-strike approach for kids?
It means not giving up with two strikes. The player stays ready, protects the plate and tries to put the ball in play. A long at-bat that ends in an out is still a good at-bat.
Sources: FOX Sports: NLCS Game 3 live updates (Oct. 14, 2026) · Yahoo Sports: Brewers take 3-0 NLCS lead with 6-2 win