Posted by: RQL () on Thu Sep 27 17:42:20 2001

Tim-
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> Absolutely great info.Thanks.
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> Another big contributor to kids getting off on the wrong foot is the superlight bats.Having to swing heavy lumber actually makes them less likely to drop the barrel since they are more likely to learn to use the body more,keep the hands quieter and have the bat find the desired swing plane that is pretty much perpendicular to the upper spine.I like to have them try to maintain these same big lumber mechanics with various loads.Another key concept from Paul Nyman is the "working point"(try a search at his website).The preferred working point in hitting is the sweetspot.As you work with various loads it is always good to include some way of encouraging adjustments that get the sweetspot on the ball at contact-dowels with a built up contact area,wooden bats with small less forgiving sweetspots,etc.
Tom,I agree with the heavy bat idea.My six year old likes to use a 33/29tpx.It makes him use his body right to hit the ball well and with the mass th ball really takes off .Of course this is coach pitch so he can get it around, as he moves up he well go down to his other bat we work with but right now I'm trying to build muscle memory and he can really pop the ball deep with this heavier bat.