Posted by: Juan (jrbaseball2006@yahoo.com) on Tue Dec 7 06:09:38 2010

> > > > I was just wondering what the majority of you guys and girls think about the "squash the bug baseball platform" on youtube? I think it's a great idea!
> > >
> > > I tell my students "Don't squish the bug, it is already dead". I watched it - pretty sad.
> >
> > So, you are actually having your students come up? Or not rotating them at all? What I don't understand is how people actually teach others to lunge after a ball? Lunging absolutely kills your balance and power and turns you into a slap hitter.
>
> Hi Juan, You got the middle initial wrong, rest was correct, including long toss. There was no argument, just someone misrepresenting the facts on throwing. For hitting, try a fluid weight transfer with driving the lead heel into the dirt to power rotation. The squish never happens with good leg drive. When rotation initiates there is almost no weight on the back foot. When you see a good swing you will notice rear foot dragging (sometimes coming off the ground on the most powerful swings). The bug is an enemy of a good swing by slowing rotation. My son hit some of the highest ball exit speeds I saw this past year and I assure you he is not squishing the bug. If you look at Ga Tech web page, you will see 3 very highly touted pitchers they just signed or got commitments from....My son hit over .800 against those 3 at 15 years old this past summer. Not once did he squish a bug when doing it. Do you have kids playing and what ages?
> Best wishes!
> Ronnie

Greetings Ronnie. Congratulations on your sons achievements! Yes I have a 3 year old son and 1 one on the way anyday now! I understand your theory about " squash the bug" but its simply the name Ronnie. I understand how the back foot does come up because I too was a professional. I played with KC. Before I learned how to hit I was always on my front side because of the better pitching, off speed, sliders, change -ups. So, by incopororating the proper weight distribution like you said, and teaching your body to stay down and through the ball while swinging, worked! I went from hitting .233 my first pro year to .276 with 13 hr's and 83 rbi's. My career hitting numbers have always improved due to the muscles memory I develped over time with the back foot simplmy being forced to rotate, which didnt allow you to drift or lunge! Anyhow, thanks for your feedback and looking forward to more comments. Take care and I'll be looking for your son!