Posted by: Rich (rdg7796@yahoo.com) on Sun Mar 18 22:00:20 2007

> > > Ok, so I'm a freshman, 5' 6" 140 lbs. I just made the first cuts of tryouts along with 21 other people, and final cuts are going to bring it down to 16.
> > >
> > > Throwing, fielding, and running I did fine, but in the tunnel I thought I could have done better. I pulled every pitch, so much that they were fair, but I couldn't get that line drive up the middle and really impress the coaches with that deep sound of the ball hitting the tarp.
> > >
> > > I asked the coaches what I could do to improve my hitting, and they said that my weight was all forward and I was ahead, pulling the ball to the left. I adjusted my weight and hit alot stronger, but I'm still hitting ahead of the ball. I can't seem to shake this habit of pulling the ball, and was wondering if anyone knows anything I could do to change this.
> >
> > ---------------------------------------------------------------------
> > Dave M. If your throwing fielding and running are good, that is great. Keep it up and improve on that.
> >
> > With regard to your hitting, make sure you are making the inward turn of the front knee before you stride. Or move up in the box a couple of inches. If the coaches feel you are hitting well enough to make the team, stick with what got you where you are. And if you get the chance video tape yourself so that you can pick up what might be the challenge.
> >
> > To hit the ball well up the middle, you may have to practice waiting a tad bit longe before swinging. Start with a relaxed swing in batting practice (up the middle) and let the rest take care of itself. Also consider backing off the plate if you feel it is absolutely necessary for you to hit the ball up the middle.
>
> ___________________________
>
> Start later...be late for a few pitches in BP...adjust up the middle...also, hit the ball where its pitched, pull the inner half go the other way on the outer 1/3...

Stay with your approach,if the ball is pitched inside you need to pull it.If it is pitched outside let the ball get deep,turn that back foot three quarters toward the ball and bang away.As for hittin up the middle,relax if the ball is pitched there,youll need to wait until its in your zone.Like a ticking time bomb tick..tick..tick..tick..boom!!!let the ball come to you ,dont go out to get it.good leverage on the front foot,good balance,good head position,and you ll be allright kid.Good luck