This event happened early in my career, and I have come to regret how I handled it. This kid would cry at the slightest contact of the ball. I don't think it was the ball hitting that got to her, but rather the idea someone would willingly hurt her. My response was to take her aside, and with the ball held place it on her shoulder. I asked if it hurt. 'No.' Next I lifted it and told her I would drop it on her shoulder. Di so, and she seemed to have no reaction. Lastly, I picked the ball back up and told her I would throw it underhand to her, and she should try to catch it. Did o, and it just kinda rolled down her body. She went back to play, and didn't cry anymore. She did seem fairly violent in the eyes when she threw the ball from then on. At the time I convinced myself I was 'toughening her up' for a world that crushes the weak. Come to think now that I robbed the world of a person who would have helped create a more merciful and less cruel world.
For future reference, this reaction is a sign of abuse at home and should be reported to CPS. CPS reports aren't judge jury, executioner deal. Writing one means, if you're lucky an agent will stop by the kid's house and take note of the situation. Even then, rarely is action taken, but can sometimes spook abusers into treating their kids better.