Rob:
Good advice by all.
In my opinion, the direction that the ball flys after contact, has a lot more to do with where it meets on the bat barrel, than which direction the bat barrel was moving.
I know that when I hit fungos to my outfielders (60'/90'), I sometimes hit a hard grounder with an upper cut swing. Likewise I hit an occasional line drive over my infielders with a distinct downward swing path.
I have also found that hitters who succeed in high school and beyond are more times than not, the ones who were taught “the entire book of hitting” between the ages of 9 and 14. Not just their favorite chapter or two.
The following are the "swing" and "hitting" skills that I teach to every 9-19 year old hitter
Hope they give you some ideas.
THop
MENTAL APPROACH-one pitch at a time
· Anticipate and capitalize on the “fastball counts”.
· Anticipate and capitalize on the “fastball situations”.
· Two Strike Swing or “approach”
STRIKE ZONE JUDGEMENT-Hit it where it’s pitched
· Pull “middle-in” strikes
· Hit “Middle-out” strikes to the opposite field
· Addressing the plate and setting up the same way each time
SITUATIONAL HITTING SKILLS-separating the men from the boys
· Hit and Run Play
· Hit behind the lone runner at second base with no outs
· Score the runner from 3b (with infield in).
· Score the runner from 3b (with infield back).
BUNTING-not just for weak hitters
· Bunt direction
· Sacrifice Bunt
· Drag Bunt
· Squeeze bunt
· Push bunt
· Slug/Slash/Butcher Boy bunt
SWING MECHANICS-the common denominators that 95% of professional hitters do (there own way) 95% of the time
· Flexible Grip
· Balanced and athletic stance with slight movement
· The load or move back (when)
· Stride (when)
· Find the ball early (vision)
· Down Swing (the beginning)
· Pull the knob “inside the ball”
· Throw hands late
· Finish-check points
INTANGIBLES-More little things
· Learn the pitcher’s “tendencies”, “pitch patterns”, “favorite out pitches” in the 1st & 2nd inning
· Learn today’s umpire’s strike zone and “tendencies” in the 1st and 2nd inning.
· Role of the on deck batter
· Stand tall when runner steals 3b (RH)
· Shrink strike zone when taking a pitch
· Fishing-out smarting the pitcher.
· Safety-Learn how to get hit with a pitch