Bat Speed -- Baseball Hitting Forum

Posted by: Bob () on Thu Mar 13 06:22:00 2008

I just wrote a lengthy response and lost it!

As kids grow, things constantly change from your knowledge of the game, physical size, strength reflexes and coordination to that of your opponents to the size of the field. Your success in LL may have had more to do with circumstance than correct mechanics. I have seen my daughter demonstrate excellent mechanics throughout one season and the next season have absolutely no clue (but think she knew what she was doing). The good thing about baseball is a smart player can always improve themselves by using their head.

With your "long swing" vs "short swing" discussion I believe you are telling us that you may be predisposed to "casting", which means you're extending your arms too early so that you aren't directing maximum energy at contact.

I can't remember specifically what drills are good to eliminate this, but I believe one-handed hitting would be a great place to start. Get a tee and a bucket of balls (can be tennis balls or whiffle balls) and hit them into a backstop.

First - Use only your top hand and pay attention to keeping your elbow close and swinging with your body supplying the power.
Second - try it also using just the bottom hand, keep your elbow close before contact, turning your body for power.

Another thing is grip. I prefer you to grip the bat like you would an axe when slicing into a tree (Palm up/palm down). I've heard some batting instructors advise otherwise so that hands are in the "handshake" position at contact. If you do the latter, rolling the wrists too early can become an issue.

You have Ted Williams book "The Science of Hitting" so you are off in the right direction (and you're in good company). Also, The Final Arc DVD is quite good. If you can afford ONE session with an experienced hitting instructor ($40/half-hour where we live)they should be able to show you where you're going wrong with your swing and what to work on. Or you could video yourself and send it here for Jack to critique.

Good luck! You'll do fine!

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Re: Re: Bat Left Throw right Cavanaugh [ Tue Mar 18 19:04:27 2008 ]

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> I just wrote a lengthy response and lost it!
> 
> As kids grow, things constantly change from your knowledge of the game, physical size, strength reflexes and coordination to that of your opponents to the size of the field.  Your success in LL may have had more to do with circumstance than correct mechanics.   I have seen my daughter demonstrate excellent mechanics throughout one season and the next season have absolutely no clue (but think she knew what she was doing). The good thing about baseball is a smart player can always improve themselves by using their head.
> 
> With your "long swing" vs "short swing" discussion I believe you are telling us that you may be predisposed to "casting", which means you're extending your arms too early so that you aren't directing maximum energy at contact.
> 
> I can't remember specifically what drills are good to eliminate this, but I believe one-handed hitting would be a great place to start.  Get a tee and a bucket of balls (can be tennis balls or whiffle balls) and hit them into a backstop.
> 
> First - Use only your top hand and pay attention to keeping your elbow close and swinging with your body supplying the power. 
> Second - try it also using just the bottom hand, keep your elbow close before contact, turning your body for power.
> 
> Another thing is grip.  I prefer you to grip the bat like you would an axe when slicing into a tree (Palm up/palm down).  I've heard some batting instructors advise otherwise so that hands are in the "handshake" position at contact. If you do the latter, rolling the wrists too early can become an issue.
> 
> You have Ted Williams book "The Science of Hitting" so you are off in the right direction (and you're in good company).  Also, The Final Arc DVD is quite good.  If you can afford ONE session with an experienced hitting instructor ($40/half-hour where we live)they should be able to show you where you're going wrong with your swing and what to work on. Or you could video yourself and send it here for Jack to critique.
> 
> Good luck!  You'll do fine!

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