Posted by: TC2 () on Fri Apr 30 06:14:18 2004

"I don't know how, after 25 years of coaching, you qualify the short amount of time the hitaway gives a batter as "plenty of time". But you failed to address my main point that "hitters in baseball are not
> on a time clock". And the hit-away is absolutely designed to place a hitter on fast mode(period). This goes completely against most hitting coaches philosophies and modalities. "
>
> I just noticed that part .. There is no addressing it . You win.. Hitters in a baseball game are not on a time clock ...
>
> If your familer with any Bat-Speed drills , over-under training , to make players quicker and stronger .. Its much faster training than the speed of the hitter getting ready to hit in the box during a game.
>
> Being what you call .. placed in a faster mode does have advantages,
> For training reasons.. But I wont get into the sports conditioning aspects which I am fully qualified to do since the whole topic was concerning a youth.
>
> Most of my players have no problem , swinging .. and getting back using proper form .. They are 13 and 14 yrs old.
>
> Anyway .. since i dont own any stock in the Hit A Away.. And have already given my own personal experiences with it.. Im through with this topic ..
>

Sounds like you are a coach who has truly dedicated your time to youth baseball/softball. I commend you for that dedication and commitment and didn't intend to offend you. The sport could use more like you who want to make the game more fun. My issue was not about you as much as it is about the hitaway product.

While it can be fun- the hit-away has been noted for causing injuries to kids for which I have personally known of two in our very small local league. That is not a libelous statement, that is fact so I write it with no fear of repurcussions. In both cases each kid described similar actions that caused them to be smacked with the fast returning ball. They had just done what every kid "finds fun about this product" and hit the ball as hard as they could.

Problem! This product as it was "designed to do" the harder you hit it the faster it whips back around at the batter. Neither of these kids had time enough to recover from their mammoth "home run swing" to regain their correct balance and consequently, in their attempts to get back in their stance, were instead caught in the middle of the fast returning ball. Both were younger than those you are working with ages 9 and 10 and neither had a helmet and or an adult supervising them as the product "recommends". Which in the real world we know and even as you alluded to with your pro friend and as I also stress with this product especially, "ain't happenin'".

So- aside from the quick fire rapid swinging this product basically promotes and for which we agree is not even an aspect of the swing in this game...it also has its hazards and is what a lawyer would term an "attractive nuisance" and or an accident waiting too happen. By the way, one boy received a black eye and the other had an egg size lump on his forehead. Both set of parents tossed the product in the garbage and worst of all...coaches had to work with both kids now in preventing them from stepping out of the box on pitches.
Again- a product that literally took these kids and their swings 2 steps backwards!

You mentioned other great hitting tools you use all of which are safer and all of which allow for the hitter to take their time.
Don't bash the good old "T" for which numerous pros still work with today. As far as kids having to chase the ball- nothing wrong with "you hit'em you get'em" or if exercise is not fun; put a net or backstop in front of the T.

I am aware of Hudgens rapid swing drill and as you said, he is emphasizing "improving batspeed" with the drill certainly not "improving mechanics". I'll leave the experts at this site to argue how or whether or not his drill increases batspeed? However, I don't think Hudgens would argue that his drill does not reflect any part of the real game swing setup scenario and, from what I know about the drill, it is safer than the hitaway and most important of all...it requires a coach/parent/helper/supervisor!

Best regards to you in your coaching and commitment to kids in your community.