Posted by: jalal leach (jdleachy@bmp18.com) on Tue Sep 27 22:46:34 2005

> I'm a college baseball player on the Division 1 level and since high school, I have always hit my hardest balls and power shots to right center/RF (I bat RH). I have a large swing with my hands out over the plate so I need to back off the plate in order not to get jammed. Pitchers are beginning to notice my inability to hit the inside pitch but my ability to dominate the outside pitch. Everytime I'm in the cages I work on a small stride and a short swing, but when I step in the box I go back to my normal stride and swing because it feels more comfortable. What do I do? I choke up and cut down somewhat by bringing my hands in, but usually I still make contact towards the right side. Hits are being taken away from me because teams know I have trouble pulling it down the LF line and play me accordingly. Intrasquad games are brutal because my teammates all know exactly where to play me and how to pitch to me. When I attempt to pull the ball, I often hit a hard ground out to 3B or a chopper in the hole, but never solid contact into LF.

It sounds like you aren't using your backside very well. I've got a tool that I use with my kids and it works.

I also think you probably need to keep your hands inside the ball more. Are you diving at the plate? If so, you need to work on striding directly back at the pitcher.

Drop me a line, I've got a millon drills to fix this.

Jalal Leach
San Francisco Giants 2001
www.bmp18.com