Posted by: mike28nc (mikelamb68@hotmail.com) on Thu May 25 00:04:32 2006

> (John)
> I have heard that you should look at something on the pitchers body and then look at his release point to see the ball better. Are there any other tips that help you pick up the ball right out of the pitchers hand?
>
> (Joe)
> What is the best approach at the plate? I know that you should always be looking for your money pitch until you have a strike and when you are ahead in the count. But say on a count like 1 and 1, should you be thinking to look for an inside pitch and react to an outside pitch? What should you be thinking and when should you be thinking it is what I am asking.
>
> (Dave)
> If I tried to really focus on just dropping the bat head back towards the catcher when I swing instead of having it go directly toward the pitcher when I swing, would this be a good start? This would give me a CHP right??

I would say:
Look at the pitchers head before and during the wind up and then find the hand with the ball. RELAX and SEE THE BALL!

Approach at the plate:
0-0 count:
Look for your pitch. What ever that pitch is. Most are middle in but I do know some kids like the ball middle out.
with 1 strike:
you need to expand the zone. If you like belt high middle in. You expand belt high in to outside.
with 2 strikes:
You cover plate up and down. This is where you can tell who is just watch the game and who is playing the game. You watch the other batters and how the pitcher plays the situation when he is ahead. I feel you always look fastball and react to change up//and you always look outside and reach to inside.

Dropping the bat head:
I dont belive your getting CHP with just laying the bat lead towards the catcher and starting your swing. CHP comes from the top hand pulling the bat towards the catcher and creating torque in that process. What your using may increase your reaction time but not batspeed. And Batspeed is where it is at. If your a contact hitter with great speed, it might work for you.

Mike