MENTAL Problem

If I really wanted help, the first thing I'd do is edit my post so that it is comprehensible.

Oh oh..the grammar police are here. Infopimp, was that really necessary? If you've got no help to offer the kid as far as his swing goes, just don't say anything. His post is not incomprehensible.

infopimp,
Ok, I fixed it. I'm sorry it bothered you. I don't think there is anything else wrong with my first post. If I find something I will be sure to correct it.

-Kevin

Catcher,
One of the biggest problems young hitters have today is thinking too much. There is so much specialized training these days and stresses on mechancis, that sometimes we forget the old, "grad a bat and hit the ball" technique. When you get in the box, your only thought should be on seeing the ball. Get in your stance, relax, BREATHE, relax your hands, and the only thought you should have is, "ok big boy, you got the ball, I got the bat, let's go, bring it." If you are in the box, thinking about mechanics or anything else besides seeing the ball, you are in trouble. Other things you may consider and that should go through your head are how the pitcher is working you and other hitters, what are his patterns, his tendincies, can you pick up anything in his delivery that may tip a pitch. Be aggressive, be confident in all the work and preparation you have done for that at bat. Then just get radar locked on that baseball and swing hard in case you hit it! Best of luck

AB

Baseball Pros

bubandbran,
Thanks a lot. I was thinking way too much. I guess I was stepping in and over thinking everything. Instead of, like you said, grabbing a bat and hitting the ball. I would step up to the plate thinking "do this and do that" instead of "ok, pitch, show me what you got." Thanks a lot.

-Kevin

quote:

Originally posted by bubandbran:
Catcher,
One of the biggest problems young hitters have today is thinking too much. There is so much specialized training these days and stresses on mechancis, that sometimes we forget the old, "grad a bat and hit the ball" technique. When you get in the box, your only thought should be on seeing the ball. Get in your stance, relax, BREATHE, relax your hands, and the only thought you should have is, "ok big boy, you got the ball, I got the bat, let's go, bring it." If you are in the box, thinking about mechanics or anything else besides seeing the ball, you are in trouble. Other things you may consider and that should go through your head are how the pitcher is working you and other hitters, what are his patterns, his tendincies, can you pick up anything in his delivery that may tip a pitch. Be aggressive, be confident in all the work and preparation you have done for that at bat. Then just get radar locked on that baseball and swing hard in case you hit it! Best of luck

AB

Baseball Pros

In other words, quit sucker, you've got no chance.

Not only is it ridiculous but impossible for a developing hitter to not think of something he's been working on.

That is exactly why it takes 1000's of swings and 100's of at bats. Because you have a lot to think about.

If you haven't taught much, please, leave it alone.

If you are finding that you are thinking that much about your mechanics, they are totally unnatural for you.

If you have a good swing that can get your bat in the zone to meet the pitch then just fine tune your swing.

If you are looping in your most comfortable natural swing, try holding the bat higher. If you can maintain bat speed and acuracy, don't fix it until it breaks.

There is no end all be all instruction for teaching hitting.

Remember, Ted Williams had an upper cut swing but good hand eye coordination. I'm sure many coaches today would be trying to teach him the 'right way' to swing the bat.

Lastly, the difference in BP and game at bats is that split second it takes to decide whether you are going to swing or not. That in reality may be where you are losing it. Know the zone that your swing produces the best results contacting the ball. See it and hit it.

Good hitters do not think--they REACT !!!!!

Infopimp:

Not only was your response on this one very rude, but it was wrong and tells me that while you might understand the mechanics of the swing you do not understand hitting and what it takes for a player to have success at the plate. If you are thinking, you are not hitting, and I know lots and lots of some of the very best big league players and some of the very, very best young hitters who have a chance to become big league hitters and they all say the same things.

Perhaps a little less on mechanics and clips and a little more on human communication would be very helpful to you, and I mean that in only the most constructive of ways.

InfoPimp,
I agree, I think your response was rude. But it does illustrate your lack of knowledge of the game of baseball and especially hitting. I have taught plenty, I am a hitting instructor for the Atlanta Braves. But more importantly, what qualifies me to answer this question is over 5,000 professional plate appearances. Where I too gave away too many at bats thinking about my mechanics. I can relate to what this kid is talking about it because i have been there. I understand his mindset because I have felt the same way.

Catcher,
You are welcome, go get him kido. Let me know how it goes. If you have any other questions, feel free to contact me at info@baseballpros.net.

quote:

Originally posted by Infopimp:


In other words, quit sucker, you've got no chance.

Not only is it ridiculous but impossible for a developing hitter to not think of something he's been working on.

That is exactly why it takes 1000's of swings and 100's of at bats. Because you have a lot to think about.

If you haven't taught much, please, leave it alone.

Infopimp,

This wasnt one of your better ones. Lets parse it - shall we?

1st sentence - Very rude IMO.

2nd sentence - Makes no sense. Would agree it seems as though you havent played much.

3rd sentence - Meaningless mumbo jumbo. IMO.

4th sentence - Another meaningless bubble of cyber stuff.

I am disapppointed in this one. LOL

Catcher, much of the mental preparation should be done in the hole or the on-deck circle. In other words, what is your "plan?" Have you identified any flaws? Example getting out of the zone on fastballs up. A part of what you should have been doing in BP is eliminating that flaw. Now, you reinforce your practice by reviewing that you won't get out of the zone "up." Are you looking for a ball away or in? Well, we could be very technical here and describe several scenerios such as pitch selection, location, game situation... That has to be accounted for in your "plan." WHEN YOU WALK INTO THE BOX, YOUR PLAN IS ALL THAT MATTERS. Emotion has to be taken out of the equation! People that fail in the box often do so because they panic. You have to have faith, be positive, and know that in a worse case scenerio, you can hit deep into the count and be productive. Hitters often panic so much that with 2 strikes, they are easy prey for the pitcher. BTW, players that have enough faith in themselves to go deep into the count ofent don't have to because they don't panic. JMHO!

I think what Infopimp is saying is that if the hitter hasn't put the time in in practice, he will have a problem trying to clear his mind in the box in a game.....And, there is truth to this....Im' sure he is talking about a hitter who is in the process of changing his mechanics and doesn't yet have confidence in his swing....Chances are, his mind will churn in the box until he gains that confidence.......

quote:

Originally posted by BlueDog:
I think what Infopimp is saying is that if the hitter hasn't put the time in in practice, he will have a problem trying to clear his mind in the box in a game.....And, there is truth to this....Im' sure he is talking about a hitter who is in the process of changing his mechanics and doesn't yet have confidence in his swing....Chances are, his mind will churn in the box until he gains that confidence.......

AGREED! Without repetitions in practice and working on the corrections of flaws be it mental or physical, your chances of success during a game is limited. Examples of mental, practicing pitch counts and expectations. Example of physical - flying out. Both can be corrected simply through repetitions during practice.

Very good post, Blue Dog. I fully agree with the point regarding the importance of repetitions. Thanks for clearing that up.

Jemaz is absolutely correct....Great hitters do not think, at all, in the box.....This is a big contributor to why they are great hitters....You can't be a great hitter until you can clear your mind and swing the bat.....

That's what I'm been trying to say about muscle memory using the proper technique. Think about it, you only have about .34 hundredths of a second to recognize and respond to a 90MPH FB.
Preparation will meet that opportunity too in a repetetive scenerio and your only as good as your last AB. Headed out to guess where? peace, Shep

Concentration: - "The ability to think about absolutely nothing when it is absolutely necessary".......

Best advice I know of for a hitter to understand.....

Shep, it is much more than muscle memory.....I have just recently learned this.....

Repetitions help muscle memory to an extent......Retention is a whole other ball game and an area greatly misunderstood......