Posted by: Sly (silvas-36176@mypacks.net) on Mon Nov 8 18:29:36 2010

> > I'm curious to find out at what point a slightly unorthodox batter should be forced to
change his mechanics.
> >
> > I have a player who has always been at the top of the batting order -- since starting
competitive baseball at 9. He's one of those kids that was a naturally good hitter. From 9
years old until now (13) he has batted between .350 and .400 for the season against stiff
competition. He has hit a few home runs over the years but is mainly a contact hitter who
hits line drives in the gaps. He's also extremely fast -- which means he beats out a lot of
balls that an average speed runner would be called out on. I would describe his batting
motion as rotational with a slight stride -- but he hits on top of his front foot with a
straight front leg (as opposed to hitting against his front foot, with a very high rear
foot/calf lift. He settles back down on the rear foot at completion of the swing.
> >
> > My question: At what point does the pitching start to become so good that a player
like this starts to see his stats drop? Is it Junior High, High School?, College?
> >
> > The second part of the question is related to the first. Should you try to change a
player's swing early on, while they are still hitting very well -- or should you wait till the
player notices he is starting to lose ground against better pitchers? Early on, it would seem
to be difficult to convince them they should change if they are hitting well -- and later on,
it would seem easier when things get tougher for the batter.
> >
> > Anyway, I would be interested in knowing what you think.
> >
> > Thanks,
> > Sly
>
> Why do you think he is not swinging correctly. There is nothing wrong with a stride, is
there?
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No, not at all in my opinion. I think the stride activates the body and prepares it for an
athletic, fluid, powerful swing. To me, it serves a similar purpose as when a basketball
player -- when asked to jump as high as possible, takes a small step forward before he
elevates.

As to why I think he is not swinging correctly (correctly may be a strong word) -- it has to
do with his more upright position at contact (rather than the often preferred position
where the batter has a slight backwards lean-- where a straight line can be drawn from
lead foot up thru leg and extending up thru body). He seems to be up on his front foot
rather than against it. In this more upright position, he creates a nice "L" with his back leg,
but his rear foot sometimes comes off the ground several inches. I'm thinking if he gets
the body lean right, the rear foot will drag forward or be slightly off the ground at contact.

Sly