Posted by: Leonel (ldelrosario03@hotmail.com) on Fri Nov 2 16:59:01 2007

Background: I’m a 16 years old player from Dominican Republic looking for opinions about my hitting approach and to help others.

My Hitting Principles

The basics
• Relax.
• Eyes on the ball. Follow the ball!
• Quick feet, followed by quick hands.
• Get into a good comfortable position. Don’t open too much! Don’t close too much!
• Don’t try to swing too hard.
• Lead with your hips and continue with your hands.
• Get the right grip of the bat.

Steps

1. Relax before standing up to the plate.
2. Get into your stance. Keep your hands in and don’t open too much your feet.
3. Watch at the pitcher’s cap.
4. Load when the pitcher starts putting down his foot. Either lifting your foot or leg load. At this moment you should turn your view to the pitcher’s releasing point.
5. Rotate your hips as the ball is approaching. It’s the most important motion of the swing and should be done with almost perfect timing. Remember to leave your hands back!
6. Direct your bottom hand toward the ball. Not too hard!

Explanations
Leg Load: It’s the rotation of your front foot during the loading; this will cause your hips to rotate and your hands to go back. It’s necessary to generate maximum bat speed at the point of contact

Hip Rotation: This rotation gets your front elbow up and your back elbow down. It’s necessary for the CHP and swing power.

Torque: It’s simply the different shoulder movements or rotation during the swing. It’s necessary to generate maximum power.

Personally this mechanics are working for me, but I always believe there is room for improvement.