Posted by: Pro_Hitter () on Sat Nov 15 17:33:22 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 those are nice stats.As you look for that perfect swing Imagine what happens over 500 at bats to some of those at bats.10 more hits will bring 20 more points to the avg. or 25 less at bats will really make a difference.Do you have speed to drop a bunt down ,how many productive outs do you make[situational hitting.]Imagine being 3-4 and satisfied for the night with a comfortable 4 run lead,you come up with a 3rd relief pitcher in your in a good position,yet that little comfort level takes the keen focus off the at bat,your talking too much with the catcher gloating a little too much with the catcher.It was shown to me how the guy who is 3-5 or 4-4 does'nt let up in the ninth in his 5th at bat.Or your up by 9 with the worse bullpen guy a team has throwing to you and a little lack of focus wipes you out.When your told to take do you try to really focus like your going to hit it so you have it all down pat on the 3-1 pitch after that or you try to get hit when your taking to have positive at bats and wipe a fewat bats off the end of the season,think how often eckstien gets hit,hustle to 1st hard everytime out of the box to 1st it can be the difference on a bang bang play ,a hit or out,just 10 more a year given away like this.Remember how many doubles Rose got with his 1st 5 steps out of the box,not the last 5 steps around 1st.Try for doubles on borderline plays with 2 outs and no one on,get in scoring position.I think hustle and the mind can get you 25 more points on an avg. over a year and I am not saying you are'nt just think about these areas as well as your swing.

hi rql,

you make some very good points. Over the course of 140 games, it has become my tendency to lose focus when things "don't matter". I've always been able to lock in when it really counts, but i seem to zone out from time to time when I shouldn't. These are mental things that no one can truly help me with. I just have to decide how important the game is to me because we are judged by our numbers. I do bunt and have quite a bit of success with it. My main concern stems from my swing though. When things are going bad for me I pop-up to the right side and lay foul balls of down the right field line on balls I should crush. I should have hit .330 this year without even thinking about it. Those final 30 points will come from staying locked in in situations that aren't crucial and figuring out what keeps me from lazily flying out to right field. Anyway, you make some excellent points and I think a lot of players would be well served to do the things you speak of.

Andy