Posted by: Dave P () on Wed Nov 12 11:05:57 2008

> > > Our players have a habit of going after high pitches a lot. They all drop their hands below the level of the ball and swing up on the ball. What is the proper way to hit a high pitch?
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> > >>I think your guys would benefit best by learning to lay off high pitches and I am not sure how high you refer to.Discipline at the plate however is your best friend.To be short on a low pitch you tilt back and over the plate more and thus swing up more ,on high pitches since you usually start the tilting action for the low pitch you then have to adjust your tilt more upright in both tilts as you begin your swing ,this levels out the swing and allows the bat to swing 90 degrees to the spine as it does with the tilt on low pitches.It is hard to make this adjustment even when you train for it and that is why the high heat dominates so often and laying off is the best answer usually.However if you choose to look for it stand taller in the stance and stride and think about a high pitch.Let them learn with a tee on top of a 5 gallon bucket and see how hard a letter high is to hit and feel the difference in leveling out.
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> If they insist on swing at high pitches they will have to eeither 1) swing sooner (anticipate the high pitch) as to effectively get their bat on the plane of the ball or 2) use the tomohawk approach in an effort to get on top of the hich pitch. (See Dusty Baker's book and or video "You can Teach Hitting".)

HI

Sorry THG but never teach them to tomahawk the ball. It leaves a huge hole in their swing and is the wrong way to hit the high pitch. You hit a high pitch the same way you hit every other pitch and that is with your hands above the ball. Your top hand must punch up to get the barrel up high enough to get to the ball.

You are right though about hitting it sooner. You must hit high pitches out in front of the plate so th ehands can get higher.

Dave P