Posted by: Doug () on Sat Nov 15 17:27:53 2003

Hey guys,
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> > > > Just thought I'd ask you guys for some input. Here's something in my swing that I thought you guys could give me some help with (Jack, I'll send you some swings soon so you can get an in-depth look at it). When I stride, I reach with the front foot and glide to center with my body. Once heel drop occurs, there is usually a couple frames of gliding in order to compensate for my weight being back. First of all, I would like your opinions as to what this costs me in my swing (i.e. power, time??). Secondly, give me your opinions on how to fix this. Really, I think I already know how, but I'm just curious as to how you guys would handle it. Most of all, I want to know what this few frames of gliding (I like that word better than lunging because my weight doesn't go past center) costs me. Once the swing begins, there is no more forward movement and my axis of rotation is stationary. Just wanted you guys to throw some opinions out. Thanks
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> > > > Andy
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> > > Andy,
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> > > Great to hear from you. Yes I think you lose lot's of power that way.
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> > > My first thought would be that you are not balanced. I think you mentioned once that you also tend to be too upright and you wanted to work on that also. I think the two are tied together. I would suggest to you that you have to much weight on your toes. It's difficult to sit to hit, when the weight is not evenly distributed between the ball of the feet and the heels. Center your weight more between the feet.
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> > > For me weight back...really means "don't come forward." This glide means that you might be drifting or swaying back as well. Tell yourself, "do not to come forward", instead of "stay back." I do a drill with the kids where we soft toss and the kids can never come forward only sit there and wait for the ball to come to them. We start no-stride, then work into stride. The feeling I want them to have is that they are waiting for the ball to come into their zone. Also as I mentioned before in a previous post....you might consider taking the your head down to the ball, it'll stop most weight transfer issues in it's tracks.
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> > > Once being a fast guy myself, my instintcs were usually to hit and get out of the box. This made being vertical comfortable to me at the plate, because I felt ready to run.
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> > > Good Luck Andy
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> > > Hey, feel free to share your ideas on this issue with me because I don't have all the answers (never will).
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> > > Thanks
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> > Andy tell us what level you are in your stats,age what is holding you back or what is pushing you up the ladder.How good are you at your present level.I say that because there may not be anything to fix.As you describe your issue it could be interpreted as wasted motion or it could be just what I see so many M.L. hitters doing.Often the 1st couple of frames of rotation look like shift to me as the back side drives forward a little before flexed front leg drives back.Look at Pujols from the side if you have film,his front toe is so far out front that he has some forward shift to get to center but it appears to me that it is the beginning of rotation .It is important to see the swing to compare it but you should know that there are many other factors necessary to hit the ball hard at your level consistently.Know yourself,your weaknesses and strengths and adapt correctly.
> > > C
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> Coach C
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> The stats have always supported an efficient swing but that doesn't mean that they couldn't improve. This last year I hit in AA (490 ABS, .302 BA, 38 2bs, 2 hrs). In 2002 I hit between AAA/A (500 ABS .295, 44 2bs, 7 hrs). My first pro season in 2001 I hit (477 abs, .300, 6 hrs). My final year at college in the SEC with aluminum I hit .370 with 11 hrs. I feel that I should be a 10-12 hr guy a year with my size (5'9" 170lbs). I don't have unreal expectations but I know I should hit b/w .320-.340 instead of where I'm floating around. I have a very solid recognition of the strike zone and am able to recognize pitches very well. I just give too many ABS away with swings that aren't that good. Anyway, those are the stats, and I firmly believe improvements must be made
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> andy

Andy, Years ago, I signed a kid who I really liked and as time went on, he was developing pretty well, but I felt that he could hit for a higher average than what he was doing. He asked what I could help him with and this was my response: If you go 1-4 the first night and 1-4 the second night, that is a .250 BA.....right. He said yes. If you are the exact same hitter and show a little patience, you can go 1-4 the first night and 1-3 with a walk the second night....you are now hitting .286. same hitter with the same mechanics, but a little more patience at the plate and a higher BA. Food for thought.

Doug