Posted by: Maximum () on Mon Aug 13 13:58:58 2001

I am interested in helping my 13 year old to develop the muscle groups needed to improve his hitting. I often hear that people like Sosa and MacGuire are so strong that even when they are not swinging well they can actually "muscle" the ball out of the infield and beyond. On which groups should my son concentrate? I'm assuming that lower body strength is important. Thanks.
I don't know why you're asking me, cause I was expecting an answer to my question. But I'll try to help, since I lift myself.
You say yer son's 13? I didn't start lifting until I was 15, cause I was told you would screw up your body, something about the growth plates so you'd grow improperyl.
I recommend for him not to lift WEIGHTS until he's 14 or 15. But he can still exercise without weights. If you want him to get built like McGwire and Sosa, give him some steroids or something. Those two cheated to break Maris' record, 61 should still stand. Those two are most likely to die during one of their home run trots, I think McGwire will collapse rounding 3rd base one of these days.
Anyway, he can use something like a 5 or 10 pound free weight or a medicine ball and do some squats and lunges. Push-ups, sit-ups, chin-ups are best for him right now. Next year he should be able do lift heavy weights without any problems.
Also recommended, a book called Complete Training For Baseball. Good book.