Posted by: Jack Mankin (Batspeed@verizon.net) on Wed Feb 13 09:46:42 2013

>>> How many cuts per day do you recommend during a practice session? (I take approximately 100 swings when rehearsing my mechanics, although this number is usually doubled when hitting at a field.) Is my inquiry something which can answered in numerical terms, or is this a situation which cannot be reduced to numerical situation (i.e., a "it depends on the player situation)? <<<

Hi BHL

The main reason most hitters never reach their potential at the plate is lack of batting practice. I recommend about 125 swings per session with at least 3 sessions per week. However, regardless of the number of cuts taken, how much progress is made depends on: (1) with each swing, is the batter working on improving the efficiency of his/her mechanics -- or burning in inefficient mechanics. (2) what percentage of swings is with live pitching.

I find that many (if not most) batters develop 2 completely different sets of swing mechanics. One set is what they exhibit in the game or live batting practice. The other set is what they develop while working on improving their mechanics hitting off a tee, bag or soft-toss. I find the students can show great progress while working on the bag or tee only to revert back to the same problem with live pitching. It takes a lot of time and practice for a student to take what they learn on a tee or soft-toss to the cage.

Jack Mankin