Category: Hitting

In starting these drills, it is assumed that no one has had formal instruction in sliding, that the players are poor sliders, amateur sliders and even “afraid” to slide. Basic to beginning instruction is finding a comfortable side for sliding, knowing how to land and using the bent-leg slide insuring safety so that injuries do… Continue reading Sliding

Why Hitting Prospects Fail This article will explain how a talented hitter fails in professional baseball, and why the system is inadequate to help him. Joe Linedrive leads the SEC in home runs, RBI, and is second in batting average. Joe is a top draft choice. He signs a bonus contract. The club has indicated… Continue reading 13 Reasons Why Pro Baseball Can’t Teach Hitting

Going for home runs, too many modern players pile up strikeouts instead of making contact with the pitch! It was a monumental find. While pursuing my lifelong study of the skill of hitting, I discovered some old, dusty 16 mm film footage of the great hitters of yesterday. One was titled, “Hitting Stars of 1943.” It… Continue reading Lost Secrets of Hitting

Note: There is a glossary of bat terms at the end of this article Most players today (other than those who are being paid to play) are new to the ways of wood baseball bats. I’ve included some basic knowledge on the subject for the serious player and his coaches who are realizing that to get… Continue reading How To Choose A Wood Baseball Bat

Let me say this up front. I do not like aluminum bats . . . but I’ll win with them. Practice with wood . . . and you’ll win with aluminum. It’s really very simple. An aluminum bat swing can be mechanically flawed but still get results. Inflated averages & power numbers abound with huge… Continue reading Real Players Hit With Wood

THEORY The hitter is more successful if he. 1.  Knows what pitch is coming 2.  Knows what the action of these pitchers are 3.  Knows the pitcher’s tendencies in a given situation INITIAL OBSERVATION 1.  Observe the pitcher warming up in the bullpen prior to the game. Train your eye. Take note of the movement… Continue reading Hitting Simplification

At Junction City High, we find ourselves constantly “playing from behind” with regard to the skill development of our athletes, since our community is so transient in terms of population. As a result, we spend a great deal of time establishing a workable base of fundamental skills to which we refer. Our overall offensive philosophy… Continue reading A Practice and Game Offensive Philosophy

In all of sports hitting a round ball with a rounded bat is said to be the toughest thing to do. It might be true, it might not, but I can tell you that the difference in Major League Baseball between $2 million per year and pumping gas at a Texaco station could be as… Continue reading Why Hitting A Small Ball Leads to Big Results

Here are some thoughts on the above topic from a buddy of mine. The guy’s name is Steve Springer. “If baseball is 90% mental, why do we work on it less than 10% of the time?” “You cannot control getting a hit, but you can control hitting the ball hard!” Who Is This Guy? Springer… Continue reading Successful Hitters Always Have a Plan

Ever notice how some teams who play close games end up winning those games in the late innings at the plate. Good teams who are coached right and do the right things tend to win those close games late. Here are a few tips to keep in mind to teach your hitters on how to… Continue reading Hitting When It Counts: At the End of the Game