Stike Outs string

See the ball. Hit the ball.
And get a good pitch to hit.

OK RON, my 1st thought would be is he taking to many pitches early. Is he remaining agressive? If he is always hitting behind in the count strikeouts will become a problem.

Slumps happen and with no explanation, even to the best hitters


As for thoughts--take a game off and relax--get away from the game--don't even think about it

quote:

Slumps happen and with no explanation

Nah......

clearly Bluedog another clueless blunder by trhit!

On the topic of slumps...what is the most common cause...timing, pitch recognition, swing mechanics or a combination of factors?

See it.... Make sure he is seeing it and not pulling his head off the ball. All to common a problem.

Darn it--I only wish I was a "smart" as BD and Vance, the cyberspace experts

OK Ron,
I have always felt the best approach in solving a problem is the direct approach except when it comes to the “slump”. There is no such thing as a slump! However there is something we CALL a slump that appears as a dark cloud that creeps over every hitter's head and rains on his batting average from time to time. It rears its’ ugly head as a mechanical or physical problem but it is all mental. To make sure a slump is well engrained in your son’s head be sure to point out his problem areas when his batting average drops. This makes him try harder and the slump thrives on “tying harder”. Let me talk in riddles here. The best way to handle a slump is to recognize that “it” is a slump and then immediatly avoid recognizing it as a slump because a slump only effects a batter if he allows “it” to be present. There are no “slump discussions” in our house. However, if I had a dollar for every time my son experienced a drop in his batting average I would be a rich man. 0 for 6 is only bad if you bat six times. Did you realize you can turn an 0 for 6 performance into a .500 BA if you bat 12 times! Stay positive and ignore the slump because ignoring it is the only way to effectively handle it. Instead of saying slump, say things like ---- “Baseball is a game of averages” ---- and my favorite saying that I have used at least twice this week ---- “Anyone can handle hitting a home run; it takes a real ballplayer to handle striking out”.
Every ball player has to continue to improve. Repetition under the guidance of a good hitting instructor is essential to for a hitter to get better. Let’s not focus on a negative aspect of hitting (the slump) and amplify that obstacle to where it destroys his ability to hit the baseball.
If you feel you need to talk to your son about a slump, you need to do that when he's at the top of his game.
Fungo

Aside from the mental aspects, something COULD have changed physically. He could be facing some slightly faster pitching.

He could be swinging a little to hard. When this happens they seem to be moving everything besides the bat barrel.

I would take a little off during some front toss and feel the barrel releasing through the ball in an exaggerated pepper.

I would hit oppo from a tee daily.

His release might be lost is a long swing that is taking his head off the ball. His perceived power source could have changed

Hitting slumps are mechanical breakdowns.....Efficient body movement becomes not so efficient......

I don't want to speak for Bluedog, but would like to take this opportunity to explain an extension to what he stated about movement.

When a player slumps his movement does change. Yes, we all have been through bad luck where we hit a few missiles and they are caught. This is different. Inefficient movement can be something as minute as Central Nervous System fatigue causing a delayed reaction to a pitch or something as obvious as stepping into the bucket.

Slumps certainly can happen at any time and in my experience start upstairs.

This is why I preach practicing with purpose over and over. Too much going through the motions IMO.

Sorry I missed a day....in that time he has put the ball in play twice but also 2 more Ks. If he was putting the ball in play I would feel better but the fact that he is swinging at good pitches and missing or fouling them was a concern.

Vance - he isn't taking too many pitches. I've paid attention to what he is taking and while they are strikes they were not hitters pitches early in the count. He is swinging but on some good pitches just fouling them or missing them.

Coachric - I don't believe he is pulling his head off the ball but his instructor asked me the same question last night so I'll watch more closely tonight.

Fungo - thanks for some good perspective, I try not to dwell on it but I'm sure I could be more positive. I like you're quote on "it takes a real ball player to handle a strike out". He lost his cool earlier this week and while his Varsity coachs were not at his game they all let him know that was not acceptable.

Jon - do you think the fact that he is doing lawn work with his coach and probably not eating like he should could be that small something you referenced?

All - I took him out to the cages last night after his game and threw to him. While he missed a few pitches it probably wasn't any more than usual (except that I noticed it more) and he was ripping balls as he should. Of course I can't throw a curve and mix things up like he sees in the game. Hopefully that will build his confidence as he (along with 3 other to-be sophmores) was asked to come play up with the JV/Varsity tonight so there is added pressure.

tr hit, you reading?

Okron your son will have bad streaks as everyone says. They all do. It is how they handle it the matters. Let your son and his coach work on it. At 15 he is going to have a lot of streaks both good and bad. Over reacting and over obssesing is going to make it worse.
The best thing you can do is make him realize that failure is what baseball is all about and the ability to deal with it. Not every kid is the same so teach him to deal with it. Pitchers have it even worse.

Not an expert opinion, but it worked for me. First of all like many have stated it is all in how he handles it more than how he stops the slide in batting. Keeps his head up. He knows he can hit and knows he is going to.

When I was in college I went through a "slump". My coach told me to take my bat with me everywhere. I slept with it, ate breakfast with it, carried it with me in my truck where ever I went. He was also my Biology prof so I even took it to class three days a week. I don't know if that is what helped me kick the "slump", but it didn't hurt. The bat became an extension of who I was.

Hope this helps.

Tim

Vance

I always read and digest---but I need not listen to condescending remarks from unfounded sources who just throw things out there with no background to review

I still say that slumps happen with no apparent explanation-- something just happens in the mind and things go from bad to worse---I saw my son as a junior in HS, he went to play Division I ball, go 2 for 32 for his summer travel team to start the season--he asked the coach for and was Ok'd to take a day off--- he came back and played the remaining 35 games of the schedule and ended up hitting around .450 for the season along with winning the MVP in a very prestigious tournament where he went 8 for 11 with 3 HRS in the final two games needed to win the title--

Vance are you reading ?---you do the math pal-- no instructor--no lessons--no internet gurus-- he simply got away for a day--baseball is much more mental that you want to admit and one does not need to ask for help from unfounded sources in cyberspace to cure the ills of a slump

I truly believe the mental aspect controls the players game as much as the physical aspect

Vance and Doggie--one simple question--how do you diagnose a hitters problems without seeing them in person--you cannot do it with words and terms because words and terms mean different things to different people--- do you take a doctors advice without he seeing you and checking you out--will he take your word on your symptoms over the phone? I do not think so

Anyone can be a an expert in cyberspace with it being only words and terms but can they be that smart be one on one with the "patient"--think about it folks !!!!

Vance--are you reading !!!!!!

deaconspirit

You confirm what I said about the mental aspect

I wonder how many baseball coaches are still teaching biology these days -- or teaching anything, for that matter?

It takes a coach to be able to teach Bio to a bunch of ball players I think. Who else could get away with a piece of chalk heater high and inside to get my attention in class. I loved that man. I still reach for that bat when life throws me a curve I think I can't handle. I just can't walk around in public places with it anymore.

Tim

Why cant you ???

Others do worse

tr hit, condensending?? oh brother. Are your feelings hurt? Toughn up will ya.

A parent asked me last night why their child strikes out so often. They questioned the technique we use, they questioned their equipment, ... I listened patiently and then responded that your kid always takes the first strike. Over 80 percent of the time, your child takes the second strike. Therefore, in the majority of your child's at bats, they get one swing at that last pitch and so their chances of success are minimal. I've often suggested that the ability to come out of a slump doesn't require a hitter to take pitches but rather requires a hitter to be aggressive in the zone. JMHO!+

Vance 00

My feeling could never be hurt by the likes of you--toughn up---you make me laugh--at elast people know who and what I am--can't say the same about you--nobody knows what you know or dont know

Coach

All our hitters have green lights on the first and second pitch unless there is a certain situation in place--- even if the batter makes out while being aggressive he feels good about himself--In my book there is nothing worse than striking out with the bat on your shoulder--we want our kids swininging--otherwise why take the bat to the plate with you--you could mail it in

TRHit, I'd love to watch your team play. I know one thing for sure from our conversations, you're in this for the kids. After my conversation with that parent last night, I had the feeling that they were thinking that I wanted their child to fail. I guess when a child is striking out a lot, it's easy to get defensive or want to vent the "blame" elsewhere. JMHO!

Coach

We want the kids to enjoy the game--you cannot do that by taking pitches except in certain situations---we play the game wide open--not only is it fun for the kids but we find it fun to coach that way--sure we get burnt a few times here and there but in the long run it is a positive--- and we do not change out plan for the opposition--if we lose playing our game so be it--we did want we do best and the opposition was better than us in that game--taint no shame in that

OkRon,I probably played your son a week ago.

The first step is to aknowledge he is doing something wrong.What I then do is have a parent tape my AB`s for me,so I can see what Im doing during my at bats.

You can they say Im dropping my hands,or Im lunging,etc.

TR HIT, my post speak for themselfs! I know what I'm talking about. I have the experience! Why not do some searching on a different thread and you'll find out that I already said what I do. I work in baseball! and have all my life. Its not about where I have been nor what I have done, just like it isn't for you. I've told you before that I don't care what you have done. BUT based on MOST of your replys. MY conclusion is that your clueless MOST of the time! and yes TOUGHN UP and learn something HARD HEAD!

"The best thing you can do is make him realize that failure is what baseball is all about and the ability to deal with it."

I would advise not to ever do this to anyone......

quote:

MY conclusion is that your clueless MOST of the time!

TRhit, Vance is right ya know.....

Another thread.

Another honest and interesting question to start the thread.

A few interesting and varied opinions.

And somehow - someway - we find ourselves once again reading troll nonsense from self proclaimed internet experts - The Doggie (of course) and our new resident (and very modest LOL) expert - Vance.

What a bunch of ******* clowns.

LOL

OkRon,

I don't think lawn work has anything to do with it.

Poor nutrition certainly isn't going to help his swing, but I doubt it caused his slump.

Another exciting and interesting post from Itsinthegame.......This guy just never stops educating us......

His posts are very educational and really shows us what he knows.....

Doggie

Say what you want---Siamese twins ?---funny how there is always a new shill to back you up and vice versa---see that ! I do read the threads---

Vance

Call me what you want--you are entitled to that--at least people know who and what I am--call me clueless but I am not a Regurgitating Cyberspace Instructor who does not answer questions--merely returns criticism with attitude--

Very interesting couple you two make !!!

the question was


Slumps and questions and comments.

TR HIT SAID, Slumps happen and with no explanation, even to the best hitters


As for thoughts--take a game off and relax--get away from the game--don't even think about it

TRhit

Guess STEVE GARVEY should have taken the year off back in his day!

Slumps don't just happen. Its a result of something being left out and I'll assure you it isn't fixed by taking a game off. Wonder if CAL RIPKEN would answer it that way or Lou Gehrig or, well you get the point.

I think Tr is qualified to give his opinion wether you agree or not.
Personally I believe their is always a reason why you are not performing at a high level. The best hitters/pitchers develop glitches in their mechanics and or mental game. It could even be a lack of abiliy so you have to examine all aspects of the game. Even the pros rely on hitting/batting coaches to keep them performing at a high level.

Thanks for the opinions...I never expected any one person to solve my son's slump, just looking for thinks to consider. Unfortunately, as "inthegame" noted the thread has gotten personal

As an update, my son is not out of the slump but has been putting the ball in play. His instructor while not seeing him in game situation thinks his biggest problem is pulling off the ball with his shoulder. He had a good session with him on Sat and we have a full weak of games starting today.

Thanks

FC27 - if your referring to the BTW game at OBrien yes you did....I thought I heard your coach mention your name but since you were not wearing #27 I didn't think that was you.