Posted by: Teacherman () on Mon Dec 9 17:17:46 2002

I’m guessing 75 percent of the pitches my son puts into play are hit off the end of the bat. I know, no matter how good the mechanics, success will be minimal if you can’t wait for the ball to get into the hitting zone. Our practices, tee work, soft toss, bag work are geared at making contact off the lead knee. Is there anything we can practice that will help him wait or is it a mental thing he has to overcome.
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> Gary

Tell him "where" to swing before the pitch comes! Sounds funny but very effective with young players. If the hitter takes his stance and mentally focuses on where the batting T would be if it were there while watching the ball he will already be aimed and hopefully loaded to launch his swing at the top of the T. Now, time the ball to the T. It's one thing to time the ball. It's a more effective timing mechanism to time the ball to a spot. If the ball won't cross the T don't swing. As mechanics and timing improve he'll be able to "cover" a zone about the size of a basketball. Watch out if he's focused on this spot and the pitch comes there!!

Teacherman
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