Coach Jims'

Hitting For Average and Power

 

Below are 6 stages of hitting, as I learned them from personal experience, clinics and videos that I have seen. This is what I teach to my team, and will hopefully lead them to become more complete players.

Below that is a section on Bunting.

Coach Jim also has a page of hitting drills.

There are links at the bottom of the page that may interest you.

1) The Stance (how you stand as the pitcher winds up)

There is really no one right way to set up, but all successful hitters have the following things in common.

1) Balance between feet

2) Legs are flexed

3) Line up the knuckle with the first finger joint, wrists flexed slightly

4) Keep your upper body loose and ready instead of tight and coiled

2) The Stride (the hitch as the swing begins)

1) Linear motion creates MOMENTUM

2) Cock bottom wrist

3) Keep the bat in THE SLOT - behind the helmet with the hands below the bat head

4) Step towards ball, widening stance somewhat and creating Linear Momentum

picture coming soon

3) Power Position (start of the swing)
1) Front arm loose, elbow pointed down and flexed

2) Bat remains in slot

3) Wrist stays cocked and back

4) Wide base

5) Head and eyes stay on the ball

4) The Approach (hands and body start to unwind towards the ball)

1) Lower body and hips start the swing

Back knee turns foreward (actually the hips turn) - don't drop back shoulder, this creates an uppercut

2) The upper body holds back, creating resistance (like a spring waiting to be let go)

Keep bat in the SLOT as long as you can

5) The Explosion (halfway point of swing)

1) Force explodes forewards, not in a circle - try swinging something and letting it go, it doesnt continue in a circular path

2) Hands go towards the ball

3) Back foot "squashes a bug" (aka shoelaces to pitcher)

3) Front elbow remains flexed

4) Bat head is above hands - dragging the bat creates a sweeping motion, and doesn't transfer power into the bat or ball.

6) Contact the Ball (point of contact)

1) Palms Up and Down, not turning on contact.

2) Hit the back middle of ball, not top or bottom.

46% of the time the ball is hit on the top, and 22% of all grounders are hits.

34% of the time the ball is hit on the bottom, and 21% of pop flies are hits.

20% of the time the ball is hit on the back, and 71% of line drives are hits.

7) Follow Through

1) Watch the ball.

2) Lean back just a little as you follow through.

For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction

If you are powering the ball foreward, the same amount of force will push you back

3) Let the bat lead you body into a natural follow through.

4) This is where the hands turn - after contact

Bunting

Bunting has become a lost art. At each level up the ladder, runs become harder and harder to generate and sometimes teams must 'manufacture' runs. Bunting is a great tool in manufacturing runs. Sometimes you may want to bunt for a hit, sacrifice a runner over into scoring position or 'squeeze' a run in through bunting. When bunting, you will want to move up in the batter's box towards the pitcher. This will keep your bat in fair territory and also assist you in bunting any breaking balls before they break.

SQUARING AROUND (pictures are coming soon)

Generally when bunting for either a sacrifice or Squeeze lay you will want to square around. This means turning your feet and shoulders so that you are facing the pitcher. Don't step on the plate or you'll be called out if you get the bunt down.

Pivot to Bunt (pictures are coming soon)

Start like you are going to swing away. As the pitcher begins his wind up, pivot on your toes and bring the bat into position to bunt.

Bunting Basics (pictures are coming soon)

The top hand should slide down the bat somewhere around the mid point and 'cradle the bat' with your thumb on the top with the fingers underneath. To protect your fingers from getting hit, don't wrap your top hand fingers around the bat. You want to hold your bat at the top of the strike zone with the bat angled up and out in front of you. You want to have your arms extended with a slight bend at the elbows. Since your bat is already at the top of the strike zone, if the pitch is higher then your bat, let it go (unless it is a squeeze play). If the pitch is lower, then bend at the knees to bunt the ball and try to avoid dipping the bat head as this will increase the chances for a popup and could result in a double play. The batter simply wants to 'catch' the ball with the bat and wants to avoid slapping at it. The best bunts are those down the lines about 10-20 feet.

Links

Baseball Hitting Forum
Antioch West LL Cubs
Hitting Drills
Coach Jims Homepage
Hit 2 Win: 6 steps to a Perfect Swing

webmaster: Coach Jim

copywrite 2004 by Coach Jim