Short to zone...Long through zone

Linear-

Finally acknowledging Mankin's torque/BHT.

Good job!

About that unload>

The longer you can wait, the deeper the pitched ball can travel to the hitting zone and more likely a rotational swing can be unloaded correctly (turning forward not sliding).

By the way, if done correctly, can make impression of half-moon as AB indicated. This can be attributed to the squareness of the ball in relation to the bat at contact. Do you follow next...1?

Some hitters recognition is better than others which is a subtle difference that seperates the bundles that look alike in AAA and AA for example. Most all their swings look alike and mental factors can actually be the difference in the prospect getting the call or the dreaded, "no call at all".

A hitter must demonstrate he can square up on the baseball consistently, and make contact consistently.

If the prospect can do this at the AAA level, he is ready, IMHO.

At this point, the psychology of hitting becomes so important in making the transition to the highest level.

Next...1, for your benefit, I'm going to raise the bar and discuss what comes after the mastery of the swing.

We will assume the prospect is a great hitter and has already trained his body to make the best swing he can in the training and preparation stages.

It is now up to him to look for cues and study the pitchers like Tony Gwynn did to become one of the greatest, and not just be another hitter with a great swing that never got out of the gates good.

Whoever makes the biggest sacrifice of time and effort, will reap the most dividends.

I too like the slogan: Preparation meets Opportunity!!! That will get you to the show.

For the record, my dad taught me that at a very young age, and my dad was a great catcher.

Takes alot of work and dedication, but I believe you can do it next...1.

Shep Cares

shep i get your post and about the half moon shape. I just need to find a way to get my swing up here on this site so everyone can critque it and make it/ me better.

Once I feel comfotable with my swing and I get to a level where they tape pitchers and make charts about their pitches I will devour all the info I can.

quote:

Originally posted by tom.guerry:
Linear-

Finally acknowledging Mankin's torque/BHT.

Good job!

You and buster. The misinformation kings.

Kinda ironic you mention trying to get clip on the reply because I just sent A PM to Linear requesting how to put videoclips on thread myself at the almost exact moment you mentioned it-wow, too weird.

Shep

Lol that is weird. If you figure out pm or post it and will try to get my swing on here in the upcoming days

Here you go shep. Is this what you mean? Post them here?
http://www.snapfish.com/thumbnailshare/AlbumID=36382992...43227790/t_=43363914

LOL Thanks Linear but this isn't exactly what I meant. May as well leave link there now though. Some of my scout friends are going to get a kick out of this one-LOL

My dad's picture holding the three wooden baseball bats at JUCO World Series a few years ago and picture of both parents and scout with me at college game speaks volumes for many parents here and how they feel about their sons.

Shepster can relate and believes the sons that are out there all over America should appreciate parents and honor them all they can while they are still here.

Fungo had a great post recently in another thread titled my three sons that I encourage all that visit here read. Outstanding!!!!!!

All I'm saying to you young prospects out there, don't forget about your parents because they love you, no matter where your at or how old you are. Cherish the moments while the season is still present. Will be gone before you know it... Shep

quote:

Originally posted by Linear:
Sup Sandman

Wouldn't a line through their belt show the bend at the waist.

Probably, but doesn't the belt itself - being black and contrasted w/ white pants - serve as such already?

Sandman's not sure why we're even debating whether or not Barry's tilted, as he clearly is. (I'm assuming Stiffmeister, uh, I mean "Shepster" ... has set the new trend and that we should all start referring to ourselves in the 3rd person as much as possible? )

Sand LOL

Guess we all have an alter ego of sorts here and usernames that represent that 3rd person mentality.

BTW Did you at one time write songs or watch any talent shows? I did both.

Used to watch this one show that had a sweeper who came out at the end of song or in the middle of song at the Apollo. He would run around the stage with a broom while chasing contestant off the stage with the song, Mr. Sandman playing in the background Always thought that was just hillarious!!!!

Did you ever watch that singing show???? LOL

Great Show!!!

Shep
PS (the picture of young prospect in windup in slideshow posted on my behalf by linear on this page a few replys above is only 12 yrs old at that time and is now 15 yrs old and freshman in HS in NC. He is a diamond in the rough who lives in the mountains of a hillbilly dialect family and rarely comes out in the public except for school. He has never been to a tryout, showcase, or any other public forum that would make him no longer a secret. Find him if you can. Shep's challenge to other scouts and college recruiters who read this-LOL) PSS-(Currently throws very hard...Has good hillbilly bloodlines and Shepster visits family in mts ever so often. Has good musical talents to compliment considerable baseball talents that could be used for bargaining chip at negotiation table. This is all true so help me God!!!! Hand on the bible in the name of "J", I'm not kidding. Find him if you can .) Bet you can't

Linear,

It just hit me . If the triplet in the gif hit .350 why is he getting hitting lessons.

He should be giving them

Hi Shep,

No, Sandman never wrote songs, nor watched many talent shows... tho I am watching this week's American Idol recordings w/ my family right now.

Never saw the show you're referring to, but it sounds fun.

Sandman's just playing w/ ya, Shep.

I think he is hitting .350 because of the lessons. I don't think he could have been hitting .350 with his old swing. It is amazing that you could have a swing as bad as his was, when you have constant assistance from "hitting experts"(professional coaches).

I know a couple of guys who are convinced that you should swing down (45 degree angle) to the ball, and they "know" they are right because they were taught this in Pro Ball. This proves that you shouldn't/can't believe everything that is taught in MLB.

I wonder why the teacher of the triplet is not playing pro ball?

quote:

Sand LOL

Guess we all have an alter ego of sorts here and usernames that represent that 3rd person mentality.

BTW Did you at one time write songs or watch any talent shows? I did both.

Used to watch this one show that had a sweeper who came out at the end of song or in the middle of song at the Apollo. He would run around the stage with a broom while chasing contestant off the stage with the song, Mr. Sandman playing in the background Always thought that was just hillarious!!!!

Did you ever watch that singing show???? LOL

Great Show!!!

Shep
PS (the picture of young prospect in windup in slideshow posted on my behalf by linear on this page a few replys above is only 12 yrs old at that time and is now 15 yrs old and freshman in HS in NC. He is a diamond in the rough who lives in the mountains of a hillbilly dialect family and rarely comes out in the public except for school. He has never been to a tryout, showcase, or any other public forum that would make him no longer a secret. Find him if you can. Shep's challenge to other scouts and college recruiters who read this-LOL) PSS-(Currently throws very hard...Has good hillbilly bloodlines and Shepster visits family in mts ever so often. Has good musical talents to compliment considerable baseball talents that could be used for bargaining chip at negotiation table. This is all true so help me God!!!! Hand on the bible in the name of "J", I'm not kidding. Find him if you can .) Bet you can't

Shep, After reading and being confused by the above post I think you should go directly to another Forum on this site which has an appropriately title. Here is a link to a discussion you might enjoy. Thread

PG Good Night, will try to clear up confusion after some sleeeep

Shep Cares

PG-Is this the part you didn't understand?

quote:

PS (the picture of young prospect in windup in slideshow posted on my behalf by Linear on this page a few message/replys above is only 12 yrs old at that time and is now 15 yrs old and freshman in HS in NC. He is a diamond in the rough who lives in the mountains of a hillbilly dialect family and rarely comes out in the public except for school. He has never been to a tryout, showcase, or any other public forum that would make him no longer a secret. Find him if you can.

If you will scale up this page you will find a link posted by Linear in a reply/message that has a slideshow of Shep's baseball experiences and secret service picture at end of slideshow.

In those pictures in slideshow, you will see a picture of young prospect in full-windup. That scan on slideshow is only picture his family has allowed to be taken of him. It was taken in 2003. They are super-protective of him.

Prospect has not attended PG event or tryout of any type. He was almost 6 feet tall in 2003 when picture was taken and only 12 yrs old. Much taller and 15 yrs old now. Does that help you with your karma-fusion/ confusion? LOL

You will have to scale up page, click on link posted by Linear, and view slideshow in order to lay eyes on future star hid in the mountains by hillbilly family who still speak some hillbilly dialect, no kidding.

BTW, Good Morning Board.

Shep

Shep

Why the reference to "hillbilly family" and "hillbilly dialect"?

Are your true colors beginning to show?

I for one find that description to be distasteful in a forum such as this.

TR

Swear to ya, true story, not fiction. Real hillbilly prospect is in the hills. Not joking around. In fact, he's proud of his heritage.

Anyway, whats so distasteful about a real-life story??? This is a great personal interest story. Lighten up TR.


Ck out hillbilly story I just posted in the unusual thread. Kinda funny

Shep

It really is funny to read this stuff from Linear and compare it to what I hear from the guys I know in Scottsdale and who have worked with my three sons. I do not know enough about hitting to have a clear opinion on what Linear says. In other words, I am not sure if he know what he is talking about or typing a random, although I suspect much of it is random.

I do know this: Brian Harper, Ken Phelps, Jim Lefebvre, Robin Yount and Dave Hudgens all without fail have used the terms short to the ball and long through the zone. I actually have little idea how it is accomplished, but the best hitters I know seem to be able to do it with regularity, which includes Paul Konerko, who has taken a lot of advice from these guys.

For what it is worth.

quote:

Originally posted by jemaz:
...

For what it is worth.

Less than a phone call.

I think I've seen these folks?

My favorite family...your the best Sandman

Guys,

If you wish to continue debating personalities and character attacks, feel free to start another thread... or better yet, have a PM fest?

Let's get back to Hitting here tho please?

Moving right along.....

My son was hitting this weekend and his instructor used the phrase "Short to the ball, long through the zone". I'm not sure if it matters but he had be using somewhat of an uppercut swing whereas now he's got him trying to hit the bottom 1/2 of the ball and drive it.

Shep

I assume your point about the kid is he has a chance to make it? And no one knows?

These folks Sandman? Yep, just like em You're the best sandman.

You got it Linear. Trying to protect him as long as possible so he won't be pulled in 20 different directions by all the scouting services, recruiters, scouts, summer coaches and so forth.

Will not hold him back though and will know when I can no longer hide him which will be in just a matter of weeks after his first pitching start. He's only a freshman. Played JV and got a little attention last year.

Was thinking about letting you take him on as his other mentor and teacher. Respect your knowledge of the mechanics involved and like your style.

Shep

quote:

Originally posted by Beezer:
Moving right along.....

My son was hitting this weekend and his instructor used the phrase "Short to the ball, long through the zone". I'm not sure if it matters but he had be using somewhat of an uppercut swing whereas now he's got him trying to hit the bottom 1/2 of the ball and drive it.

Just a thought after reading your post; I would maybe talk to your instructor and make sure he has the ¨hit the bottom half of the ball ¨thing clear. I tell my pitchers we WANT the hitter to hit the bottom (or top) half of the ball. I tell my hitters we want them to hit the BACK of the ball. I don't want to stir amything up and I am sure your instructor knows what he is doing. The phrase ¨hit the bottom half of the ball ¨just stuck with me.

Good point "slob"!

quote:

Originally posted by slobintoronto:

Just a thought after reading your post; I would maybe talk to your instructor and make sure he has the ¨hit the bottom half of the ball ¨thing clear. I tell my pitchers we WANT the hitter to hit the bottom (or top) half of the ball. I tell my hitters we want them to hit the BACK of the ball. I don't want to stir amything up and I am sure your instructor knows what he is doing. The phrase ¨hit the bottom half of the ball ¨just stuck with me.

I think the point he's trying to make with my son is that instead of trying with an uppercut, he's changed his swing plane to more of a down cut and that's where he wants him to aim (bottom half) so that he's driving it (with the end result hitting the back maybe??). For what it's worth, it seems to be working extremely well. He had a VERY solid year last year but he did have a bit of an upper cut and hit week dribbling grounders numerous times. With the change in his swing, he seems to be hitting more line drives.

The whole point in sharing it was because of the thread topic (short to the ball; long through the zone) because during his session, he stressed that with my son and I was suggesting that maybe that was a way to look at it?

Everyone knows that the ideal spot to make contact is somewhere very close to the center of the baseball (maybe just a hair lower than perfectly center for backspin purposes)

That said... We used to have good luck (especially against thr better breaking ball pitchers) having hitters think below the ball. With the better fastballs having hitters think top of ball. This was not so much a physical thing as it was mental.

Truth is... Most good fastballs (minus sinkers) are missed with bat under the ball. Most good breaking balls are missed with bat above ball.

I think actually thinking about hitting a good fastball on the lower half of the ball (while in theory not a bad idea) would cause a lot of foul balls, pop ups and swings and misses. After all, that's where most hitters miss them even without actually trying to hit the bottom half.... below the ball.

just a quick question, does anyone else here video tape their hitters? i do and have found it has had such a huge impact, i don't do batting proactice without my camera.

let me know. thanks.

quote:

Originally posted by slobintoronto:
just a quick question, does anyone else here video tape their hitters? i do and have found it has had such a huge impact, i don't do batting proactice without my camera.

let me know. thanks.

slob - I have a video of one of his workouts from a couple weeks ago but it's not digital so I'm not sure how to A) convert it and B) get it on here. If I can figure out how to get a handful of swings on here, I'd be happy to.

To elaborate on your comment, I don't tape EVERY session but tape often so he can SEE what is being discussed, can see the body posture being discussed and so he can see how he's progressing. I agree, VERY worthwhile.

Much of this discussion is WAY over my head..to the point where it seems almost esoteric.

I admit beeing none too knowledgeable on the subject of good hitting mechanics and, other than recognizing that the 3 side-by-side video clips Linear provided were of the same individual, I didn't recognize many of the differences which were seemingly so apparent to many/most of you.

At the risk of sounding perfectly obtuse (which I may very well be), I haven't really learned enough to help me...maybe, it's that I'm not familiar enough with the "lingo," for which failure I apologize.

Accordingly, can anyone post a video (or, possibly, refer me to one somewhere) where the "short to the ball, long through the zone" swing is demonstrated and exaggerated enough for someone with my untrained eye to understand?

Thank you kindly for any assistance the membership can provide and for your collective patience with me, someone who is very "unschooled" in the finer points of this subject.

Kb2610....go to www.youthbaseballcoaching.com/swings.html ... The best example of the "idea" I see here is the clip of Chipper Jones... if you stop him at contact then go frame to frame you will see his back elbow extend toward the pitcher.. The theory is that this extension will keep the bat in the hitting zone longer thus giving you a better chance of timing the pitch correctly. There is much discussion (obviously) about whether or when this extension is needed/wanted. The overhead clip of Pete Rose demontrates a more circular completely connected swing.... hope this helps.

We video about half the workouts and have them do some of their own evaluation, has been very helpful. A pic worth a thousand words!!!

esoteric

adj : confined to and understandable by only an enlightened inner circle; "a compilation of esoteric philosophical theories"

[ant: exoteric]
[syn: BS ]

Thank you most kindly, troy99. I think I understand what you're talking about when I look at the video clip of Chipper. I just might be "getting it?"

FormerObserver: Did I improperly use the term "esoteric?"

shep ur link didnt work

Next...1

Be patient lad, it's loading but takes a few more seconds

Shep Cares