When to start the load

also, I believe it is due to a very long backswing, and if i shorten this, I think it'll be successful. Any other ideas?

c-ock your hands and your hips as your head is moving forward.

If your head is moving backward loading your weight back while you are loading the barrel you will be late.

mstcks,

there are too many varables and differences between hitters as well as the pitcher you are facing for anyone to do more than generalize when you need to load. Having said that, the vast majority of hitters I have seen load too late rather than too early.

The same goes for them getting their lead toe down.

Thanks fellas.
I think I worked it out in practice today, so I should be good.

mstcks,
Don't let the tail wag the dog, start your swing on time...the "load" will take care of itself.

One can teach how to load/unload but not when.
Timing is a non-teach as there are simply too many variables involved.

Remember, keeping your swing short to the ball will increase your bat speed. Also you never want to tense or try and muscle the ball. All you want is a short path to the ball with loose hands and learn to hit behind the ball. By keeping your hands loose helps you to duplicate your swing everytime and thats what you want. Note this, if you are short to the ball and see it the "whole way" to point of contact they will very seldom blow it by you.