Posted by: The Hitting Guru (hitman3527@aol.com) on Tue May 30 19:52:44 2006

> i have a 9 year old,could someone tell me from the grip and start of the swing to the end of the swing the proper way he should swing,he is not hitting the ball solid and i am trying to pin point the problem,thank you.

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In general as a guide, the grip should be firm but not too tight. His top hand should grip the bat as if he were holding a hammer. The back elbow should be loose and relatively straight back. Feet should be slightly more than shoulder width apart. He should have a slight flex in both knees. Before he swings he should watch the ball out of the pitcher's windup or watch the ball out of the pitching machine's arm. At this point he should have an imaginary box forward from which he will swing through. The box is his strike zone. At the time he decides to swing he will have a slight knee cock with his front leg toward his back leg. At the same time he will take his hands back slightly and cock his wrists. From then he will take his stride toward the pitcher in a straight line about 4 to 8 inches. By the time his lead foot hits the ground he should be in the launch position with his arms. Now he swings forward in a short arch. His grip is still firm and his wrists do not roll over until the ball is struck and well on its way. The result is a line drive. (See below)

I would also suggest that you purchase and or look at the following (not necessarilly in this order.

1. Watch ESPN Baseball Tonight
2. Watch ESPN games of the week. Pay particular attention to the side views of the good hitters swinging.
3. Purchase "Teaching the mechanics of the major league swing II".
4. Purchase "The Science of Hitting" by Ted Williams".
5. Purchase Dusty Baker's "You Can Teach Hitting" (for hitting flaws as well as beginning instruction).
6. Purchase the 2 Ted Williams Videos on "Rare sports films.com"

The above will definitely help him improve. Also observe what other batters are doing who are hitting well. A lot of improvement and success comes from mere mimicking what other successful people are doing. (Feel free to ask more specific questions) Good luck.