Posted by: Dave P () on Tue Jun 10 09:05:08 2008

> My son is a 5th year little leaguer that has always been a "natural" at the game. However, as his little league years have passed.....he has tended to hit more and more balls to right field and right center. HE CAN'T PULL A BALL ANYMORE! No matter the speed of the pitcher....he always hits to right. His strike outs have also increased. From my viewpoint (never played the game) I can only assume he is late. He is sooooo vrustrated and I can't help. Is this likely a bat speed issue? What can I do to diagnose and correct this problem. PLEASE HELP!

Hi Dad

The balls direction is determined by the location of the hands to the barrel of the bat at contact. If the barrel is behind the hands it goes to the opposite field if it is even to the hands it goes up the middle and if the barrell is ahead of the hands the ball is pulled.

That is the easy part now you have to figure out why the bat is behind the hands. Here are the most common reasons

Players stride goes away from the plate

The barrell of the bat in relationship to their hands is closer to the catcher not the pitcher. (known as laying out the bat)

The batters wrists are not cocked before they swing. (Thumb in hitchhiking position is pointing towards the body more then pointing away from body)

The player is not seeing the ball and is picking it up late which causes them to swing late.

Hope this helps

DAve