Posted by: Jack Mankin (MrBatspeed@aol.com) on Fri Oct 12 10:58:17 2007

>>> Im am only 15 years and having trouble hitting the ball during my Fall Ball Season, I think that my hands are out in front and my bat head is back behind my hands. Could somone give me some help??
I am 6' 3'' and use a 32, 29. Could I just not be seeing the ball or way out in front please give me some tips and help <<<

Hi Matt

I refer to the problem you describe as “bat drag.” Bat drag is the result of swing mechanics that concentrates more on driving the hands and knob forward than swinging the bat-head around. Before I offer suggestions for correcting the problem, it would help to know what batting principle you use in practice.

Sadly, many (if not most) instruction and cues taught to young hitters actually promote getting the hands to lead through the contact zone (“hit the inside of the ball” – “knob to the ball” – “don’t fire the bat-head to soon” – “get your arms extended” – etc, etc).

Matt, it would be very difficult for you to make the changes in your mechanics I would suggest without reinforcement from your coaches. Trying to adopt rotational principles in your swing while your coaches insist on linear concepts can be frustrating to say the least. You might wish to check with your coaches before we proceed.

Jack Mankin