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How to Raise Your Batting Average 100 Points Continued....News
More importantly and perhaps even easier is making one or two less outs a week by not swinging at bad pitches. I see plenty of baseball games and I'm amazed at how many players swing at a first pitch curveball. Most of those players wind up making an out. I'll ask the player, "Why did you swing at that pitch? Were you looking for a curveball?" 99% of the players I ask that question to respond with a no. When I as why they swung, they said because the pitch was a strike. Once you explain to them that you shouldn't swing at a pitch that you aren't looking for with less than 2 strikes, you can see the light bulb go on over their heads! Ask yourself how many times you've swung at a bad pitch and made on out and you'll be surprised at how many times you can recall doing that. Most kids are afraid to hit with one or two strikes on them. I tell players it's better to be 0-1 in the count than 0-1 in the game. If you take a pitch that you aren't looking for, the next pitch you see may be 'your pitch' and that increases your chances of getting a hit or at least getting a good swing.
It's also important to get yourself ready for each pitch. Too many kids swing defensively. They wait too long and swing tentatively. You must assume that each pitch you are about to get is 'your pitch'. If you assume it's your pitch you'll be ready for it. It's much easier to have the mindset of yes - yes - yes - swing! If instead you think in the batters box, maybe - maybe - maybe - yes - swing, then you aren't being aggressive. It's much better to think yes - yes - yes - no, that's not my pitch than to say maybe - maybe - yes that's my pitch. Where to Buy and How to Choose the Right Bat Cont'd...We don't feel there is a need to spend $400 on the latest Louisville Slugger TPX Bat, Easton Zcore or DiMarini Double Barrel Baseball Bat for younger players. All bats have an a BESR (Bat Exit Speed Ratio) and all have strict guidelines how fast a ball can 'exit the bat when hit' We also recommend getting a blemished bat from a wholesaler - these bats are brand new except for maybe a scratch or a small paint smudge and can't be sold at full price. Once your son or daughter is a bit older then you can go all out and get the best bat available. Most 8 year olds don't have the physical strength yet to generate enough bat speed to notice a difference in power whether they have a $400 bat or a less expensive one.
Youth 8-10 Years Old
Youth 11-12 Years Old High School & College Charts courtesy of Worth Inc Learning how to go to right field will increase your bat speed. By allowing
the ball to ‘get deep’ in the strike zone, you are learning to hit the ball
later, getting better rotation with your body and increasing your bat speed and
power because you will have a shorter swing. This type of training will allow you to better turn on an inside pitch as
well. Advantages of hitting the ball to the opposite field… Derek Jeter is a right field hitter. Albert Pujols spends all of spring
training ‘not pulling the ball.’ David Wright is trying to drive the ball the
other way each time up. We’re not saying that you shouldn’t pull the ball. We’re
simply trying to teach you skills that will allow you to play at a higher level.
We don’t mind our hitters looking for a pitch that they can pull when they’re
ahead in the count or in other situations. We simply want our hitters to be well
rounded and no player’s swing is complete unless they are proficient at hitting
the ball the other way. You simply cannot reach your potential as a hitter unless you learn to hit
the ball to the opposite field. Next time you take batting practice, take the
first 5 pitches the other way. Do that every time you take batting practice. If
you want to be a great hitter, do what great hitters do, learn to hit the ball
to the opposite field. Some parents or coaches will argue that a player will
lose power if they hit the other way. If you’re a little league parent, ask
yourself how many kids in your league hit the ball over the fence last year. Was
it one or two or maybe even five times? The truth is, some kids will never have
homerun power. But we still teach all our players whether they are power hitters
or not to be able to go with the pitch. It will increase your batting average,
make you a tougher out for the pitcher and will improve your bat speed which
in turn gives you more power! Please bookmark us. We'll be adding more articles and information
often. Please check back soon! |
