Before anything else, this is not a description of linear vs rotational, etc etc etc.
For reference purposes I will say only that until about age 12, we used a Rod Carew, Pete Rose model. From Age 13 on, we employed Ted Williams methods.
Anyway, this is about what we did, in the cage for five winters, to learn/refine other specific habits, for example: plate discipline, pitch recognition, bat control.
But first: Be careful!!!!!Hardballs, bats, in a small space are very dangerous.
Above all, DO NOT use alloy bats in your home cage!!!
A brief recollection of what we did in the Poor Mans Batting cage. (1997-2002)
1.) Divided the cage into these six zones.
Right Wall
End Wall Top Left
End Wall Top Right
End Wall Bottom Left
End Wall Bottom Right
Created a little game where points were scored for HaverSon's ability to hit off the tee into the appropriate zone for that pitch (tee) location, subtracting points for hitting either the cage top or floor.
2.) Random, simulated curve ball/fast ball soft toss from the side.
Using the same toss motion, but changing the arc of the toss, to simulate the timing adjustments needed to hit the curve ball.
The purpose was to burn the response into his head that when a (curve) ball first tracks, ever-so-slightly, upward, the hitter must adjust and learn to squat ever-so-slightly for timing reasons.
3.) At age 15 we began to use small, 7&1/2" Training baseballs.
Obviously the smaller the ball, the harder it is to hit squarely. Its a matter of resolution.
NOTE: These little balls are very dangerous!
4.) Emphasize and reward hyper-quick recognition of poorly tossed balls. This forced HaverSon to decide whether or ball would fall onto the zone (marked on the floor) or not. It definitely refined his recognition skills and simultenously quickened his hands by compressing the available swing time.
5.) At least 50 swings from his absolute favorite pitch (tee) location.
Do this simply because muscle memory is the bedrock of eveything else. But break it up so some perfect swings happen when fresh and other happen on the verge of exhaustion. Especially emphasize the proper swing maintanence when the hitter is tired.
Misc Stuff:
Change the routines often, to minimze boredom.
Identify where the holes are in your hitter's swing and give those areas extra work.
Use batting gloves and adequate lighting.
Video tape once a week, save the tapes, and record the date... but most importantly make a committment to review the tape (together) right away. I occaisionally played the tape, while in the cage, if I saw something that needed immediate attention.
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