Posted by: OBAkid (ranthony@rogers.com) on Wed Apr 22 20:26:32 2009

> > > My son is 9 years old in his first year of coach pitch. He has been a very good baseball player until his last 4 games in which he has struck out 6 of his last 8 at bats. He is very relaxed at the plate, confident and has is not afraid of the ball (He has been hit alot, I am a terrible pitcher). The bulk of his problem is that he swings the way too early. He usually gets behind on the count because he fouls down 3rd. He has excellent bat speed, He has a 18oz 29" bat that he has been using the past two years. I even thought about getting him a heavier bat to slow up his speed. Lately we have been working in the cage alot. I think that this may mess with his game timing because of the shorter distance. What advice can you give me and what drills do you suggest that I do?
> > >
> > > Thanks
> >
> >
> > Does he swing from the R or L side?
> > Early or Late foul down 3rd may be either.
> > Depends "how" he swings
>
> he is right handed and swings early when the ball is out front. He has a hard time swinging when the ball over the plate

Kip:
Asdide fom his inability to "wait" on the pitch (possibly the short throwing disance has messed his up his timing as you suggested,...short toss can do that). Definitely game distance throwing is best.
Here's a check list to start with:-
When you throw to him do his hands disappear behind his shoulder, rotating around and back of his shoulder, or do they stay visble prior to bat launch?
Does he lunge, or does he hit into a firm front knee (front side)?
Is he rotational, or is he too linear, tryng to "get extension out front"?
Does he use proounced wrist rotation prior to contact
Too, does he appear to attempt, or show any improvement when you coach him re his timing issue?