Posted by: Coach D () on Wed Apr 25 17:28:42 2007

> I need help! I have a player who has rotational mechanics. He is a dead-pull hitter. I haven't seen him hit a ball to the right side in two years. Small size, but can hit with power. He is 12, and has been playing organized ball for 7 years now. Great athlete, football, track, basketball, and a 2nd degree black belt. His problem is that he is so anxious, that he commits so early, and that his bat is through the hitting zone before the pitch is even close to him. Foul balls are down the third base line. I believe his load step is not as pronounced as it needs to be. Could that be the problem?

All:
Thanks for the insight. I took him to a hitting coach tonight, who I swear, was trying to teach him linear mechanics. I did get a chance to see his swing on film. He is over-rotating. His back foot so over-rotating, dropping his hands, and tilting way back. I am now so confused. I don't know what to do.

I need to get him alone, and just pitch to him, and see if he can get the balls to rightfield. Maybe a dollar for ever well-ball hit to right field? This is his last year of LL, and he wants to end it on a great note.
>
> Any drills out there to slow him down? He has struck out 6 out of 7 times this year, but crushes the ball with soft toss and live practice pitching. I know that it is mental, but can his mind be trained??