Posted by: Richard Schenck () on Fri May 3 06:28:44 2002

Here's another item for discussion. We've all been told to look for a pitch in a zone and if its there swing. Critique this plan for me:

While at bat, imagine the top of a hitting T slightly in front of the plate. Focus on this spot while keeping your eyes on the ball. Your goal is to meet the ball at the "T". With this thought process you've already decided where you are going to swing. Very advantageous in terms of loading and readiness. If the pitch will cross the T, swing. If it won't, don't. Another big advantage is it reduces lunging. How many times have you seen players take good swings at the T but in live action the timing messes them up and they rush or they're early, or late. Defining where to swing before swinging reduces the decision to yes or no. Timing is still an issue but if you know where you are swinging its easier to time the ball to that spot. This has greatly helped my sons. It's kind of like aiming or pointing the swing at a spot and when they pull the trigger they automatically go to that spot. Line drives are numerous. Good swings are regular. Of course with 2 strikes you have to shorten up and protect the plate a little better.

When you start off you'll find that maybe you can only hit a ball in an area the size of a softball. However, as your swing, timing and judgement improve your hit zone (your T) grows to maybe the size of a volleyball or basketball. Pitchers always try to avoid this area but why swing at anything else until you get two strikes.

What I have learned from personal experience in DII college and fastpitch and in teaching my sons and their friends is that keeping your eye on the ball without focus on the hitting zone is a major problem that cause lunging, casting etc. They see the ball as it's coming, they decide to swing and then they send the bat to the spot the ball was when they decided to swing. They lunge, they cast. Focusing on the T keeps them back, keeps them balanced. It gives them the advantage of setting up to the spot they are swinging at instead of having to make that judgement in a fraction of a second.