I originally made that Kent clip, and here is a rear view if it aids the discussion... Actually a front clip too. I need to get back through the thread and see what OldSchool is suggesting.
Pronk, Thanks for the behind the batter clip.
Jeez, What a gutterball. Never got off the plate and slowly runs to the middle. I might have been able to hit that pitch. LOL.
Old school,
I think I know what you are saying.
One of the problems with explanations thru the written word is that one gets an idea in their head about what the person means and it could be way off.
As you described the drill with no bat, I get the image that the top hand, in order to catch the ball would be moving in a manner that is pretty much downhill (sort of a wood chopping movement) and the top hand palm is facing the pitcher.
So,if the other areas you suggested are in place, i.e, staying behind the ball, hitting against a firm front side, etc. then I could see the benefit of your cue "barrel up". In other words I'm pretty certain I see what you mean.
You don't use one of those swing things with two blue bars that run "downhill" do you?
I think I know what you are saying.
One of the problems with explanations thru the written word is that one gets an idea in their head about what the person means and it could be way off.
As you described the drill with no bat, I get the image that the top hand, in order to catch the ball would be moving in a manner that is pretty much downhill (sort of a wood chopping movement) and the top hand palm is facing the pitcher.
So,if the other areas you suggested are in place, i.e, staying behind the ball, hitting against a firm front side, etc. then I could see the benefit of your cue "barrel up". In other words I'm pretty certain I see what you mean.
You don't use one of those swing things with two blue bars that run "downhill" do you?
This is what we strive for.
quote:As you described the drill with no bat, I get the image that the top hand, in order to catch the ball would be moving in a manner that is pretty much downhill (sort of a wood chopping movement) and the top hand palm is facing the pitcher.
I teach kids to take the "power V" to the ball while trying to aim the knob of the bat at the ball until the top hand fires and takes the sweet spot to the ball. I use the knob of the bat like a site is used on a rifle. IOW, if there was a lazer pointer in the knob of the bat, it would be pointing to expected contact position (with slight adjustments) from beginning of rotation until the top hand fires.
quote:You don't use one of those swing things with two blue bars that run "downhill" do you?
No, We do not use the Griffey "swing trainer"
quote:Originally posted by Old School79:quote:You don't use one of those swing things with two blue bars that run "downhill" do you?
No, We do not use the Griffey "swing trainer"
Cool...
Then one more question. In the still photos of Jeff Kent,,which picture # would he be catching the ball with his top hand (based on your earlier drill description)?
quote:This is what we strive for.
I agree, However most of these pitches are down in the zone, or appear to have a downward run. With the exception of pic 6. It appears that the top hand catch drill would work with this particular pitch location.
Can anyone convert the original clip from youtube to something that can be viewed here.?
quote:In the two above pics of Kent, Neither pitch would you be able to perform the top hand catch drill with. Both pitches appear to be down in the zone, knee and mid-thigh. Although, in the second one, it would be close if the pitch was up a few inches.
Aren't all of these clips and pictures of the same pitch??? Fastball belt high, correct?
It's hard to say from my computer, it's old and slow. Pics 1-4 and 6 look like a softball player. I can only see the ball on pics 1-6 and 7. The ball looks to be down on all the baseball swings and up on the softball pics for the most part. Like I said the pics are small and my computer is old.
quote:Originally posted by Cutter Dad:
My first post on definitely the most helpful site for youth baseball on the web. Son is a 14 year old freshman (5'9", 135 lbs) who will be trying out for the HS team in Feb (JV and Varsity only, no Freshman team). He's played LL and travel for the past 3 years and will likely pitch, but also loves to hit.
I've posted some recent bp swings on youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I_KRtJSMb58
His first 2 swings I had him keep simple to get his timing down. The next 2 I asked him to get a little more weight shift and stretch. He was more consistent squaring the ball up with a simple approach. My main question is, since he likely will never be a big power guy, will he be more successful at the HS level keeping things simple and hitting more line drives, or should we keep working on generating more pop? Any other comments on the mechanics would be appreciated.
Cutter,
Your Son's swing looks pretty good to me. He appears to be hitting the ball a little too far out in front in this video, but the pitches also appear to be up and maybe in which would require that contact position. I'd like to see a few pitches down in the zone to see what he does with those.
As far as working on power, I say, absolutely! For him to get any looks for College, he will have to have some pop in his bat.
Never let anyone tell you he can't hit Home Runs at his size. My Son was the same exact size at his age and could hit the ball 370' with the right pitch and Pitcher. As long as his grip and forearm strength is there to handle the swing, it's more than possible.
Different swings take different timing, so that may be why he struggled a bit when he tried to get more stretch. Keep working on hands back/stride out at the same time. Front elbow behind the center of the body at go while hiding hands from Pitcher's view.
quote:Originally posted by Old School79:
It's hard to say from my computer, it's old and slow. Pics 1-4 and 6 look like a softball player. I can only see the ball on pics 1-6 and 7. The ball looks to be down on all the baseball swings and up on the softball pics for the most part. Like I said the pics are small and my computer is old.
I think LClifton is talking about the still pics on page three. Kent isn't in any of the 7 pics above.
Cutter,
One other thing. It looks like he gets his back hip loaded much better with the big leg kick. I would keep the leg kick, but keep it nearer to a lift knee, pull back slightly, then stride to original spot. No more than 6 inches off the ground, it will make timing easier.
One other thing. It looks like he gets his back hip loaded much better with the big leg kick. I would keep the leg kick, but keep it nearer to a lift knee, pull back slightly, then stride to original spot. No more than 6 inches off the ground, it will make timing easier.
Thanks to all for the comments, even the slightly tangental ones 
and thanks to Power for getting the thread back on track. The main points we'll work on over the winter include better front foot pickup, rhythmic/fluid hands to launch position, more stretch/load, and keeping the torso and point of contact slightly back. Just to better define my other question - Are the basic swing mechanics taught similarly for contact and power hitters, or do you tailor instruction according to the type of hitter?
and thanks to Power for getting the thread back on track. The main points we'll work on over the winter include better front foot pickup, rhythmic/fluid hands to launch position, more stretch/load, and keeping the torso and point of contact slightly back. Just to better define my other question - Are the basic swing mechanics taught similarly for contact and power hitters, or do you tailor instruction according to the type of hitter?quote:Are the basic swing mechanics taught similarly for contact and power hitters, or do you tailor instruction according to the type of hitter?
I teach all to hit with power. Like I said earlier, if a player gets to be a Junior or Senior in High School and doesn't have the power to hit the ball out of the park, then they should level out the swing and use the bat more like a tennis racket such as Wade Boggs or Pete Rose. Nothing wrong with being a base-hitter if that's what you can do consistently, but for a College or Pro scout to notice you, you had better have some serious wheels or excel defensively.
quote:Cool...
Then one more question. In the still photos of Jeff Kent,,which picture # would he be catching the ball with his top hand (based on your earlier drill description)?
LClifton,
From the 8 frames of Kent on page 3. He would actually try to catch the ball anywhere from frame 6-7. the top hand will gain extension thru point of contact after catching the ball, thus forcing the back shoulder thru.. Sorry for the confusion earlier with the pics.
A swing with a combination back hand , fore hand tennis swing would be a power swing with the greatest bat speed.
Most of the swings here are long to the zone. I have to say that even though contact was made the swings are not optimal.
Tennis swings, golf swings and baseball swings all should allow and use that last bit of accelleration produced by the torque of the utensil.
Most of the swings here are long to the zone. I have to say that even though contact was made the swings are not optimal.
Tennis swings, golf swings and baseball swings all should allow and use that last bit of accelleration produced by the torque of the utensil.
quote:A swing with a combination back hand , fore hand tennis swing would be a power swing with the greatest bat speed.
Most of the swings here are long to the zone. I have to say that even though contact was made the swings are not optimal.
Tennis swings, golf swings and baseball swings all should allow and use that last bit of accelleration produced by the torque of the utensil.
Quincy........Very well put. General rule of thumb, for any young hitter, learn how to create batspeed with the ability to hit the ball hard, anywhere in the zone on a consistant basis.
