Baseball Hitting Tips

Our Baseball Hitting Tips Blog Has Moved!

2011-03-09T12:57:00.000-06:00

Hi everyone,

I wanted to share some exciting news with you! We have upgraded our baseball hitting site which means our blog will be moving too.

Our new site will give the user more options and more helpful information. We hope you will join us over there!

http://baseballhittingtipsonline.com/baseball-hitting-tips/

Getting Into a Baseball School

2011-02-15T09:37:00.000-06:00

I'm already seeing all kinds of questions come my way about getting into a baseball school. High school teams are already practicing and getting ready for their games so the seniors are planning what they need to do to play at the next level.

The biggest question I get is about getting on community college teams. "How hard is it getting into a community college baseball school?" Here is what I tell most players.

Many community college teams only have a few scholarship players. This means a lot of players walk on. What some players do is contact the coach well before the senior season is over and tells him they want to play for him. If you played decent at the high school level then you definitely have a chance at making the team.

Contact the coach and let him know what your intentions are. Send him your stats and highlights if you have them. Visit him in person with your father or guardian to show him your commitment. The coach should be able to guide you to take the right steps.

In the meantime, practice as often as you can and improve your skills, strength and endurance. If you are already at the baseball school and it's before the season then work harder than anyone else at the tryout. Always hustle, listen to the coaches and ask for extra work.

Coaching Little League Baseball - What To Do

2011-02-10T09:45:00.000-06:00

Gone are the days of showing up at your local Little League office and filling out a simple form, shaking hands with everyone and automatically becoming a coach or manager of a team. I guess those innocent days are over. So how do we get into coaching Little League baseball?

You first need to complete a volunteer application. You can find the 2011 version here. You've got to fill out all personal information including social security number which I'm not a big fan of. I guess they need to check to see if you've committed bank fraud? I don't know.

Other than that it's basic information that they guard the kids against which I'm fine with. You definitely don't want a person coaching who has committed crimes in general but especially someone who has committed a crime against a child.

The application also asks about your community affiliations, previous volunteer participation and special skills, hobbies or training. Your signature on the form gives permission for the Little League organization to run a background check on you. Return the completed form, along with a valid government-issued form of photo identification, to your local Little League association.

After that you may be required to fill out additional forms by your local Little League office including another background check. Little League can of course deny your right to coach for any violations they deem detrimental to the positive development of the youth.

If everything with your application is fine then you'll most likely have the opportunity to have your shot at coaching Little League baseball. Some leagues need coaches immediately while others may make you wait a while because there is an abundance of coaches.

So that is the boring what to do part of coaching but trust me, you'll have a lot of fun coaching especially if you're coaching your own kid. It provides another way for you two to have fun together. There isn't a better sport out there where families can come together than baseball.

Batting Techniques - Demonstration of Weight Shift

2011-02-08T09:49:00.000-06:00

Your weight shift is really important when hitting the baseball as it can determine where and how hard you hit the ball. You can't stand in the batter's box and just swing the bat. There is more to it.

The whole reason for weight shift is to generate power for your swing. The weight shift goes back and then forward to the point of contact. Everything should come together at once. As your weight moves forward the bat meets the ball.

To see this in action I want to share a Cal Ripken video with you. He demonstrates these weight shift batting techniques by using the tee. Mute the video if you need to. I want you to concentrate on watching what he does more than what he says.

Watch the batting stance, the grip, the weight shift, the swing and finally how it all comes together as he hits the ball. Read more of our blog and articles to learn other batting techniques.

Does Your Baseball Bat Grip Really Matter?

2011-02-01T09:05:00.000-06:00

Yes, your baseball bat grip is important because you need to hold the bat properly if you're going to hit the ball. There are also different instances where you would position your hands on the bat a little differently.

The most important thing is to have a good firm grip on the bat. After all, no matter how old you are, the further you advance in baseball the harder the pitchers throw and your grip has to be firm enough on the bat to withstand those hard fastballs.

We talked earlier about your bat grip and how you should line your knuckles up. I've seen Major League players line up the door knocking knuckles and I've seen them line up the top hand big knuckles with the lower hand door knocking knuckles. There's no set way to hold your bat. Just make sure you are comfortable.

While I mention to hold the bat with a firm grip I also want to say that your grip should be strong but tension free. Your grip will tighten naturally at the point of contact.

Most of the time you want your bottom hand touching the knob of the bat but there is one occasion where you wouldn't. Many times with two strikes you want to "choke up." In this instance you would move your hands up an inch or two or three on the bat. This allows you to get around quicker against a fastball by shortening the bat which actually makes it lighter.

Big time players who choked up when they had to were the likes of Ty Cobb and Pete Rose. How about you? Do you have any stories about players and their baseball bat grip? Leave your comments below!

Mental Baseball Batting Training

2011-01-27T11:20:00.000-06:00

Have you ever considered that part of baseball batting training involves mental training too? If hitting isn't just physical then it's got to be mental too, right? All the great hitters know you need to have your head ready and not just your swing.

Some of the players I have studied always talk about the on-deck circle being a place of focus and mental preparation. You must know what the game situation is. Are there runners on base? How many outs? Where do you want to hit the ball? How can you best help your team win?

These are all questions you should ask yourself. Believe me, it doesn't take even five minutes to go over these scenarios. It might only take 15 seconds.

Next you should study the pitcher. How fast is he throwing? Does he do anything to tip you off when he's about to throw an off-speed pitch? What pitches does he throw when he's ahead or behind a hitter in the count?

Also take this opportunity to loosen your muscles. Take some practice cuts and time your swings to the incoming pitch. Anticipate what you're going to see and visualize yourself hitting the ball.

This is just one area you can fit into your baseball batting training whether it's pre-season or during the season. I have one more challenge for you. Even when you're in the dugout I would keep a close eye on your teammates when they go up to bat. Really focus on what the pitcher is doing and how your teammates handle it.

Batting Drills For All Ages

2011-01-21T09:15:00.000-06:00

I ran across a few new drills I wanted to share with you and the great thing is, these batting drills are for any age group. These drills will help you become a proficient and successful hitter.

One Knee Tee Drill

We've talked in the past about the normal tee drill so here is a different variation. The hitter will rest on his back knee with the front leg bent in a position where the ball can be hit off the tee. His hip is pulled out and the shoulders should be turned back to create separation. Don't worry about any of the normal mechanics in regards to the legs. Focus on the upper body movements. Turn to get the bat into the swing plane and swing making sure you have a good follow through like normal.

This drill will present the player a new challenge and it is quite fun. All the kids will be watching.

Soft Toss Drill From Behind

We've also talked about the importance of the soft toss drill but have you tried the toss from behind drill? The person tossing the balls should be a few feet behind home plate on one knee. The tosser should make sure to toss through the plate using tosses that can be hit to all fields. Have the tosser let the hitter know when he is about to toss the next ball so the batter can properly be set to hit. The hitter should focus on being short and quick to the ball.

These batting drills are so universal in my opinion so you can use them for virtually any age group.

What Is The Science Of Hitting?

2011-01-17T09:50:00.000-06:00

I definitely didn't enjoy science classes growing up. I know that science can be important but I have to admit it seemed boring at times and just too technical. Then the term science of hitting came up and I began to wonder.

How could hitting be called a science? Well, I started to research it when I was a young player and was thankful that it had nothing to do with dissecting frogs.

Basically, this term more or less meant going into detail on all the proper hitting fundamentals one by one. Your stance, grip on the bat, improving power, patience at the plate and all the different parts of the strike zone and how to attack each pitch.

This really intrigued me so I began to study this science of hitting and I loved it. I wished there was a class on this at school but I wasn't so lucky. This meant I was on my own.

I remember one time in a bookstore my dad recommending we buy "The Science of Hitting" by Hall of Fame great Ted Williams but I scoffed at that idea and chose a different baseball hitting book. My book was great too and the author is now in the baseball Hall of Fame but if I could go back in time I would have chosen the Ted Williams book first.

The book is timeless and perfect for any age and skill level. It's cheap too! Check it out here.

Batting Video From Tony Gwynn

2011-01-14T09:33:00.000-06:00

I grew up studying several big league players and one of them was Tony Gwynn. I absolutely loved his swing and how he handled different situations each game. I found this batting video with him teaching players at a camp.

I was struck back a bit when he asked them if they thought they were good hitters and almost nobody raised their hand. I love how blunt he was when he said that if you don't think you're a good hitter than you're not.

He goes on to talk about two things you need to know while batting. Balance is one and the other is swinging with the knob of the bat in mind instead of the barrel of the bat.

Check out this clip and visit my batting video page because I have some really good videos too.

Baseball Bunting Situations

2011-01-12T09:41:00.000-06:00

Baseball bunting is part of the game of baseball and it is quite important. Many big league teams don't take enough advantage of it and I'm not sure why. Let's talk about baseball bunting situations and how you can take advantage of it.

First and third basemen play so deep that if you could just get a good bunt down you could almost walk down to first base. Many players don't opt to do that though. Rod Carew really took advantage of the bunt which just added to his already dangerous arsenal.

There you go. That is one legitimate bunting situation. The single.

An effective sacrifice bunt moves runners into scoring position and really places pressure on the defense. They now have to deal with a runner on second or third and they tighten up a bit. They know that a base hit could produce a run.

Baseball bunting can change games. This isn't something just for little leaguers. Big leaguers bunt almost every game. It really depends on the situation and player. You won't see a clean up hitter bunt very much, if at all, but you'll see guys at the top and bottom of the lineup bunt to help put their team in a better situation.

Baseball Batting Instruction Spring Style

2011-01-11T09:23:00.000-06:00

There are many different ways you can get some great batting instruction in. You've got your own team practices, you've got hitting clinics and camps and you can even hire somebody for a few sessions to get some extra work in.

Sometimes it's also a good idea to watch what the pros do right? It doesn't matter what walk of life you are from. People who want to be successful at something usually observe what others are doing who have already made it.

This is great because you can learn from their mistakes and take the path they did to get where you want to go. I definitely recommend that if you can, you should attend MLB spring training one year. Maybe you do it once every five years.

Take your pick. You've got Arizona or Florida. Yes, make it a family vacation and enjoy seeing all your favorite players but you must also make room for batting instruction. Have a plan each time you go to a game. Watch batting practice each day and take notes. Sometimes instructors are more accessible during these spring games so get up close to the field and ask questions if they are available.

Ask them specific questions and be ready to write your notes down. Take a video camera and record a player hitting off a tee, taking batting practice as well as how the players hit during the game.

After you receive this batting instruction by observation go back home and apply it to your situation. Check it out and see if your family can make the trip!

Little League Batting Rules That Are Interesting

2011-01-07T09:53:00.000-06:00

I recently did some studying up on a few Little League batting rules and I found one very interesting one I want to share with you. Sometimes we forget a few particular rules or get overwhelmed because there are so many.

Called strike on a hit batter

You heard me right. There are instances when a batter who's hit by the ball isn't awarded first base but instead given a strike. The first example is when a player squares around to bunt and part of his body is in the strike zone. Most likely this would be part of his arm. If he is hit in this example the umpire should call a strike and a dead ball on the play.

The second instance is when a batter is hit while they are swinging at a pitch. I'm sure you've seen it before. The batter swings at the pitch a little too early and the ball hits them in the shoulder. The umpire should call time and signal a strike. Sometimes the batter may bring the bat through the strike zone while trying to avoid the pitch. In that case the umpire would not call a strike and the batter would be awarded first base.

The third instance is when a batter is hit on the hand outside of the strike zone and the batter is not swinging at the pitch. The batter is awarded first base. It's up to the umpire's discretion any other instance in which he would call a strike such as the batter's hands in the strike zone while being hit.

All very interesting but also very important for you to understand.

Do you know of any Little League batting rules that are interesting? Leave a comment on this blog and let us know!

Have You Seen Our Baseball Bat Help Articles?

2011-01-03T18:22:00.000-06:00

We have been writing some baseball bat help articles for many months now and I wanted to remind you of those and our other free resources. Most of our articles focus on baseball hitting because that's what we specialize in and have a goal to help as many players as possible.

I was looking at the stats of how many times each article has been viewed and I wanted to share the top three with you.

Baseball batting tips - Preparing to hit
Baseball hitting tips - Top 11
How to hit better in baseball - Hitting mechanics, confidence and the right timing

You can read the rest of our articles here.

Comment here on this blog and let us know what other baseball bat help articles you are looking for and we will provide those to you.

Hitting The Baseball Hard Somewhere

2010-12-31T08:19:00.000-06:00

I don't know about you, but when I played baseball I always heard coaches encouraging players to hit the baseball hard somewhere. Have you heard the same thing?

As time has gone by I now realize game to game you need to have all of your hitters do everything they can to hit the ball hard each at bat. Hitting the baseball hard gives your team the best chance to win. If you barely hit the ball it's quite easy for the opposing team to field it cleanly and throw you out.

Who wants innings like those? Three barely hit balls and three easy outs. That's not how we want to play the game. Even if you hit the ball hard at someone there's always the possibility that they'll make an error or not get to it in time, resulting in a base hit.

The Twins’ Tony Oliva once said that he was most successful when he hit the ball hard to all fields. That is exactly what you want to do. It doesn't matter where the ball is pitched. You must get solid contact no matter what. This will give you the best chance to get more hits and help your team win.

If hitting the baseball hard is what Major League players claim help them become successful, then I think we should try it too.

What About Baseball Hitting Devices?

2010-12-29T08:20:00.000-06:00

Over the last year I have been introduced to a number of baseball hitting devices designed to assist players in hitting the ball better. That is the sole reason these things are made.

There seem to be a few legitimate hitting tools that can get a batter back on track and even help maintain their swing mechanics. There are others out there that look like a pointless gadget straight from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

I'm not going to sit here and name all the tools I'm talking about because I don't want to bash any companies. It's up to you to decide what is legitimate and what is bogus.

What I can tell you is what I know works. There are some things that have been working since the beginning of their creation and still work today. There are other things that work for a while but advancing technology makes it obsolete.

A tee is one of those baseball hitting devices that has worked since it was first made and still works today. I don't know for sure but I would possibly guess that a tee is one of the highest selling baseball hitting devices. Literally everybody uses one: from small kids to Major League Baseball players.

If you don't own a tee then you should look into it for sure. A tee really helps you get back to the basics of hitting. You can practice hitting the baseball at different locations. Inside pitches, outside pitches, low pitches at the knees and higher pitches at the waist.

I'm not closed minded to newer devices out there but I do know for sure that a tee has worked for many thousands of players. Why do you like using a tee? What other devices out there work? Tell me how they've worked for you.

Why Use Baseball Hitting Nets?

2010-12-22T09:27:00.000-06:00

There are several baseball hitting drills where you should think about using a net. You can use one with the soft toss drill and hitting off of the tee. For each drill you will want to stand a few feet away.

The reasons you want to use a net is because sometimes it's just you and maybe one other person. That means you don't have a full team to shag baseballs once you hit them all over the field. You can hit the balls right into the net which will save you time.

Another reason you would use a baseball hitting net is for safety reasons. Your coach may have several drills going on at the same time and it makes sense to set up the tee drill off to the side so that you're not hitting the baseballs at other players.

You should personally think about getting a net because it enables you to practice anywhere. Even if you have a small backyard you can still set up the net and hit into it. It's safe and protects your home and the other homes around you.

You have to look at these nets as an investment. They can cost anywhere from $100 and up but they last for many years. You can check out many different versions at this site here.

Do you have a baseball hitting net? What do you use it for? Leave your comments below.

Baseball Hitting Camps Can Help You Big Time

2010-12-20T08:47:00.000-06:00

I stand by my statement that baseball hitting camps can really help you out. I personally don't run any camps so I'm not promoting myself here. I want the absolute best for you and that means I will give you the best advice to help you become the best hitter possible.

Yes, some of you out there were blessed with incredible talent and it may seem that you don't need to practice, work extra hard or invest any money into becoming a better player.

Guess what? I know firsthand that people currently playing in the major leagues invested time and money into become great players while they were in youth leagues, high school leagues and college leagues. Part of this includes attending baseball hitting camps.

Here are the benefits of attending one of these camps.

Improve hitting skills
Increase confidence
Network and meet new people
Stay fresh and in the hitting groove during the off season

Those are just a few of the benefits, you just need to make the decision to go for it. These baseball hitting camps can vary in cost. It depends on the expertise of the instructors usually. There is one camp in my local area being put on by a college baseball team. It's being put on by the whole staff and is for ages 13 to high school. The cost is $125 for three hours of in-depth hitting instruction. I believe it is well worth the cost.

How about you? What are your plans before next season starts? How are you or your team getting better right now? Leave your comments below.

Basic Baseball Hitting Tools

2010-12-17T09:40:00.000-06:00

There are thousands of youth playing baseball for the first time each year in North America and around the world. Parents want to know what kind of equipment they need to purchase and what equipment the team may have. Let's talk about some basic baseball hitting tools to get you started.

It really depends on what league you are playing in to determine what your needs will be. You see, some leagues have large budgets which allow them to distribute money to each team to buy a few necessary pieces of equipment such as catcher's gear, baseballs and helmets. Some leagues don't really have a budget and rely on sponsors, donations or the parents.

Most likely you'll find a mix of those so you need to be prepared to save up some money and here are a few baseball hitting tools that you might want to consider.

Baseball bat. There is a large range of prices for bats so you should be able to find one that is affordable. I like to shop online because you can read reviews and see what others think of a particular bat.
Batting helmet. Sometimes the helmets that the team has are old and cruddy so you might consider buying one.
Batting gloves. These aren't completely necessary for really young players but they do give you good grip, keep your hands warm, protect your hands and they just look plain cool.

Some optional items might include baseballs, baseball bags to carry your gear in and baseball training aids like a tee.

Those are some basic baseball hitting tools that you should look into. Always look for deals because they do exist. In fact, during your research you should check out one of our sponsors, Baseball Rampage, because they have sales all the time.

Did I leave off any other pieces of equipment that might be useful for hitters? Leave a comment down below.

Baseball Hitting Tips and Drills For Bunting

2010-12-15T09:02:00.000-06:00

Many times in baseball practice bunting is overlooked in favor of hitting and fielding. I believe that this is a mistake and much more emphasis should be placed on base running and bunting because those skills will be needed during each game. Let's talk about a few baseball hitting tips and drills for bunting to help you out.

We've talked before about the modified broomstick hitting drill where you hit plastic golf balls with a shortened broomstick. Well, for bunting use the same broomstick but this time use full-sized wiffle balls and bunt 15 times. Five down the third baseline, five down the first baseline and five anywhere while you simulate what to do in a squeeze bunt situation.

The next drill is to bunt the baseball into a circle down each baseline. Use rope and make a big circle where you want the players to bunt. This will help them bunt to the proper spot on the field and they'll be able to visually see how they did.

There are a whole lot of other crazy baseball hitting tips and drills out there such as using a two by four to bunt tennis balls. Find the ones that seem to work best for you and stick with them. Bunting is very important and I don't remember many games I played in where there weren't any bunts.

Baseball Hitting Basics To Get You Started

2010-12-13T09:25:00.000-06:00

Baseball is one of the most popular sports in North America and is even getting great traction in Australia which is wonderful. It's also one of the most played sports in the world by youth. Thousands of youth start playing baseball each year for the first time and they need some baseball hitting basics to get them started in the right direction.

You can read our post about selecting the right baseball bats so let's move past that process and just right in to baseball hitting.

Starting out you must try to have a balanced batting stance. Your feet should be shoulder width apart with your knees slightly bent. Your weight should be evenly distributed on the balls of your feet. Don't stand with the weight on your heels because that will cause you to swing off balance.

Have loose hands. Line up you door knocking knuckles while holding the bat and make sure that the bat handle is gripped by your fingers and not shoved back in your palms. Holding the bat firmly but not to tightly in your fingers will give you the relaxed grip you need to fully allow you to have the most bat speed.

In order to hit the baseball with any power you must shift your weight from the front to the back and then forward again as you swing the bat and make contact. Some players lift their front leg to get this going and other players slightly move the front foot back some while others use their hands to start that shift of weight going back.

The final tip I want to share with you is keeping your eyes on the ball and keeping your head down. If you don't see the ball you won't hit the ball. Your head should never move until after you hit the ball. Let your eyes do the moving but keep your head still.

Take a look at our other blog posts and you will find more baseball hitting basics and more advanced tips too. Feel free to leave comments and questions down below.

Knowing The Right Baseball Hitting Timing

2010-12-10T13:15:00.000-06:00

There is legitimate questions out there concerning knowing the right baseball hitting timing in order to hit the ball. Is this really true? Do we really need to have timing or do we just swing and hope to get a hit?

Yes, I think that is a fair statement. If you don't time the ball properly you will most likely swing and miss. Start from ground level first. Practice hitting off of a tee. Get real used to seeing the ball and hitting the ball. Then you can participate in drills such as soft toss where you actually do have to time your swing to hit the ball.

Now you're ready to take batting practice. Allow the first few pitches to go by. Really concentrate on seeing the ball. Your timing begins with your trigger action. Whether it's lifting your front foot to get the swing going or moving your hands back, it's all part of your baseball hitting timing.

When you face curves you definitely have to know how to adjust your timing. You'll need to pick up the ball rotation and wait on the ball. There are even times when you'll be fooled by a pitch and start your swing but you can still adjust the timing so long as you recognize the pitch.

I would finally say that you must practice. You will get better and hit more successfully if you practice. Are there any kind of drills you've participated in to help you with timing? Leave a comment below because we'd love to hear it.

Baseball Hitting Books To Read

2010-12-08T07:31:00.004-06:00

There are a few baseball hitting books that I would recommend to everyone. I especially would ask that young players read these books because they will give you a foundation of knowledge to build on.

You should read these books and take notes. Even try some of the drills and exercises that they talk about. You don't have to agree with all the information but it's good to read what experienced players and coaches think about baseball hitting.

The Science of Hitting by Ted Williams is a classic. Ted is a Hall of Fame player and one of the best hitters in history. He teaches how to hit a baseball and how to think about hitting a baseball.

Tony Gwynn's Total Baseball Player. I respect Hall of Famer Tony Gwynn big time and he is also one of the great hitters in MLB. This book goes over mechanics of the swing, batting drills, fielding fundamentals, care of gloves and other equipment, and more.

Baseball Strategies by the American Baseball Coaches Association. This book goes over everything from hitting to pitching to strategy for coaches.

Baseball Hitting Tips by Jeff Wise. This book is an in-depth look at baseball hitting from the inside out. It is a must for players and coaches who not only want to improve their baseball hitting but excel so that they can be the best player they can be and help their teams win.

These are a few of the baseball hitting books that I would recommend to you. Have you read any of these books? Have you read any other books that we should know about? Please leave a comment below and let me know what your thoughts are.

What To Expect At Baseball Hitting Lessons

2010-12-06T12:33:00.000-06:00

Many players are wondering how they can improve their baseball hitting and I usually give them a list of things they can do. One of them is getting extra instruction outside of their team. Here is what to expect from taking baseball hitting lessons.

You first need to do your research. Make a list of instructors in your area and ask coaches what they think of their techniques and you can even find players who took lessons from them. Ask them how they improved in their hitting.

After you hire a batting coach make sure you go in with a plan. Communicate with the instructor where exactly you want to improve, what kind of hitter you want to be and what your goals are for the next season. This will give him a heads up so he can prepare. You want that very first lesson to be beneficial from the beginning.

Always show up on time, remain focused and work hard. Whether it's an hour session or three hours ... you need to get the most out of it.

Take notes if you are able. I know you'll be holding a bat most of the time but if you feel you need to write something down then ask the instructor to pause for a moment. It's impossible to retain everything he says so it's wise to bring a small notebook. You could also have your dad take notes for you. You want these baseball hitting lessons to improve your hitting.

It doesn't matter if you're really struggling or if you're doing well at the plate. Save up some money and hire a baseball hitting instructor every now and then.

Baseball Hitting Training That Will Impress Your Coach

2010-12-03T07:20:00.000-06:00

I'm reading quite a bit of questions from young players who want to know how to make their baseball team or even make it to the college level. I've been answering those questions and the number one thing you must do is impress your coach. Let's talk about some baseball hitting training that will knock his socks off.

What I mean by impress your coach is that you let him see your skills. You let everyone see your skills. We aren't talking about brown nosing here. That kind of junk will only get you so far in life. Your abilities and work ethic is what will carry you.

Let's talk about baseball hitting training that will definitely catch the attention of the coach. You absolutely must come prepared to your tryout or season. It doesn't matter. You should strive to show your coach how hard you worked on your own. So what can you do on your own?

Batting practice
Tee training
Soft toss
Attend hitting clinics or camps
Strength training and conditioning

These are just a few examples of what you can do on your own. If you accomplish this training then your coach will definitely see you. How can you miss a player who looks like they actually care and want to help the team win?

The last thing I want to mention is work ethic. If you want to impress the coach with your baseball hitting then you need to work hard. Show the coach that you are taking this serious by hustling to each station during practice, showing up a little early and occasionally asking for extra batting practice.

Stay positive, work hard and keep improving your skills.

A Baseball Batting Video That I Like

2010-12-01T10:51:00.000-06:00

I recently watched a great baseball batting video that I really liked. You need to check it out because it's very simply laid out. Not only that but Yankee great Don Mattingly is in the video.

It's really about the overall approach to hitting that you need to have in mind as you step into the batter's box each time.

Finding the baseball is something you need to do no matter what age group you are in. From the time it leaves the pitchers hand to when it's in the hitting zone you must keep your eyes on the ball.

Waiting for a good pitch to hit is great advice because there are way too many players who swing at anything. All the great hitters are patient too.

He talks about hitting the ball hard somewhere. I completely agree and would also add that it doesn't matter if you hit to the opposite field, up the middle or pull the ball. You should swing the same no matter where the ball is hit.

All situations are the same when batting. Yes, there are times when we need to bunt, move runners over or hit a sacrifice fly but the principles discussed above remain the same. Even if you are called upon to hit a sac fly you should still find a good pitch to swing at and hit the ball hard somewhere.

Watch that clip here and then check out this baseball batting video series.

How To Get Better Baseball Bat Speed

2010-11-29T07:11:00.000-06:00

We've talked a little on this blog about how to get better baseball bat speed. I played baseball for 14 years and I've coached too. I've also studied quite a bit and really focused on what Hall of Fame baseball players had to say.

Here is one fact that I kept running into time after time. A full two-handed swing will decrease bat speed by 8-10 miles per hour. So if you are currently finishing with a two-handed swing you might want to look into talking to your coach or father about letting go of the bat with the top hand after contact with the ball.

The only group of people I wouldn't recommend switching it up would be those already playing college baseball.

I'd like to turn the tables now and see what you think. I know that there are many opinions on this topic. I also know that there are several ways to actually get better baseball bat speed. Let everyone know what your thoughts are by leaving a comment here down below.

What has worked for you? What idea didn't work for you? Does a player really need to hit the gym hard to increase his bat speed?

Hitting Instruction To Help With Slumps

2010-11-24T07:17:00.000-06:00

The last thing you want to have happen to you during the season is some sort of hitting slump. Guess what? Most of us have had that exact thing happen to us during the course of our career. Even Major League Baseball players get in slumps. Luckily, we have some hitting instruction to help with slumps.

Let's focus on mental slumps because the majority of players out there have to deal with this one time or another.

Mental slumps begin and end in your head. You may strike out one time and then all of a sudden you begin to doubt yourself and your abilities. This can really mess with you and actually cause you continue making outs or striking out.

Another downfall of doubting yourself is that it makes you over-compensate in the area of your hitting mechanics. You know what I'm talking about don't you? You go up to bat a little down on yourself and you think that if you swing harder, or start back earlier or something else that you will have better luck.

Most of the time your swing and mechanics are fine so you don't want to go tweaking anything unless your coach specifically has something in mind.

Here's the good news! You can get out of this mental slump and I can testify to that after receiving this same hitting instruction. No matter what, you must remain focused, in control and confident. Don't let anything creep into your mind that isn't positive. Know that you can hit the ball well and succeed. If you hear any whispers of negativity you must block that out and surround yourself with positive instruction.

You can get out of a slump and you can avoid many slumps if you just remain confident and positive.

What is Bat Training Anyway?

2010-11-22T07:17:00.000-06:00

I often times hear the term "bat training" and I have to be honest with you ... I didn't know exactly what they were talking about. I've done a bunch of research and here is what I came up with.

Bat training actually has different meanings to different people. If a coach is talking about it he's usually referring to the act of hitting infield and outfield practice drills with his special fungo bat.

This term can actually have multiple meanings for players. There are special bats just for the purpose of practicing soft toss drills. These bats are thinner than regular bats to help with hand/eye coordination.

There are also weighted or heavy bats that players use to warm up or get loose before swinging a normal bat. When I played we only had two options. Either slide a weighted bat donut onto the bat or swing two or three bats at the same time.

Things have really advanced in the last 15 years huh? I'm dating myself here aren't I? Anyway, I think these advancements are really great and I think these specialized tools for bat training are helpful. There are other tools out there too to help you with your batting. Hitting a baseball is just as much mental as physical. You should really try to focus on the parts of the mind as much as practicing all of your drills and training.

What are your thoughts on this? What tools do you or your team use? How do you find it helpful?

Mental Approach To Baseball Batting Drills

2010-11-19T07:57:00.000-06:00

Something really hit me recently and brought back a lot of memories from when I played baseball. Those memories are all centered around the mental approach you should take to baseball batting drills and practice in general.

It's not really beneficial for you to just show up casually and step into the batting cage, field or whatever baseball batting drill you participate in.

You really need to approach practice just as you would a game, with complete focus, confidence and determination to have that perfect swing to hit the ball. Whether you are in the batting cage, hitting off of the tee or taking live batting practice you should take it all very seriously.

Hit the ball where it's pitched and hit it to all fields. Try and have that same smooth swing no matter what particular baseball batting drills you are doing.

There is nothing wrong with striving to have that perfect practice each day. Yes, there is a time designated for having fun with your teammates, but while you are practicing and playing games you should really focus and become the best baseball player you can be.

Finding Baseball Bats That Work For You

2010-11-17T09:18:00.000-06:00

Finding baseball bats that work for you is very important especially if you want to ... hit the ball! There are so many to choose from and it can definitely be an investment so you should do your research before making a purchase.

There are a few important factors to consider before finding the baseball bat that's a perfect fit for you.

Consider how tall and strong you are right now and estimate where you might be in another year or two.
Do not buy a bat too big or too small. Definitely find a bat that you can swing easily.
Don't buy the cheapest one or a generic bat because it may not be that good.
Don't buy the most expensive bat or the most popular brand because it may not be a right fit for you.
Find baseball bats that are within your budget.
Try out several different bats at several different stores before buying.
Practice with your teammates' bats and see if you like any of those.
Aluminum or composite ... which is right for you and your league?

These are just a few factors when looking for baseball bats. I understand that you want to look good with all of your equipment while playing. I understand, because I did the same thing. You just want to make sure that the equipment is the best fit for you and will allow you to perform the best you can.

If you are interested in searching for baseball bats online then I recommend you check out one of our partners, Baseball Rampage. Good luck!

Hitting Instruction Related To The Strike Zone

2010-11-15T07:50:00.002-06:00

How many players know where the strike zone is typically? How many of you outside of baseball know what the strike zone is? One area you need to know more about for hitting instruction is this precise topic.

The strike zone is the area where, when the ball is pitched, the umpire will call it a strike. It is usually from your armpits to the middle of your knees. It also extends 17 inches across home plate. This is the area where the pitcher wants to throw the ball and it's also the area where the hitter must hit the ball.

The hitting instruction that I like to share on this subject can be broken down into simple steps:

When starting out, stand in the middle of the batter's box.
Understand that some umpires have their own interpretation of the strike zone. You must adjust.
Take plenty of batting practice and only swing at strikes.
Protect the strike zone with two strikes.
Learn to anticipate whether the pitch will be a strike or ball.
When you observe it will be a strike then be ready to attack the ball.

These points really helped me out when I was receiving
hitting instruction and it literally stuck with me through all of my playing days. Umpires do make mistakes occasionally and call strikes not anywhere near the strike zone but you can't let that bother you. Stay in the game and be ready to hit the next strike for a base hit!

Batting Tips For The Top of the Order

2010-11-12T07:26:00.000-06:00

Each spot in the line up has a purpose. The manager chooses a field position for each player and he also determines where each play will hit in the line up. Here are a few batting tips for those of you in the top of the order.

Whether you already hit in the top of the order or want to hit up there, you should play close attention to what the actual purpose of the one and two hitters are.

The first and second hitters are the players who handle the bat best and are good base runners. These are typically the guys who need to get on base so that the big hitters can move them over and knock them in.

The lead off hitter should typically have a high on-base percentage and is really patient at the plate. He should not only get his fair share of hits but he should also take a walk often too. Strikeouts should be minimal for this person.

Then number two guy in the order is really a multi-purpose kind of player. He can hit, bunt and is often called upon for the hit and run.

Rickey Henderson is a great example of a lead off hitter as he always had a high on base percentage and he always walked more than he struck out. Dustin Pedroia is a great example of a number two hitter who avoids hitting into double plays, moves runners over and hits the ball really well.

Take these batting tips and really examine what type of hitter you are and how you can best help your team win.

Baseball Hitting Drill To Help Bat Speed

2010-11-10T07:24:00.000-06:00

There is a particular baseball hitting drill that I'm excited to talk about. I saw it demonstrated by a coach recently and I think it is absolutely awesome!

It's a soft toss hitting drill but it has added elements that really improve your hitting in several areas but most importantly bat speed.

Just like the normal soft toss drill you will have the person tossing the balls facing the batter but several feet away. The tosser will be on one knee or sitting on a chair. You will underhand toss the ball three times in a row to the batter.

After the batter hits the first ball, wait until they get their hands back before tossing the next ball because you want the batter hitting forward. Toss the ball three times in a row and then rest for a minute.

This is a very fast baseball hitting drill. Here are the benefits:

Helps batter stay balanced because he has to quickly get back into position to hit all three baseballs.
Forces you to use your hands to generate quick bat speed in order to hit all three balls quickly.
This drill helps mimic actual game speed and makes you react quickly to where the ball is thrown.
Really allows the batter to experience a nice whip action with the bat in the fingers and not the palms.

Try this drill out because I'm positive that you will see the benefits immediately.

Hit Home Runs More Often

2010-11-08T07:14:00.000-06:00

It's really amazing to see players hit home runs consistently every year and before you know it they have 755 which is the total of Hank Aaron's Hall of Fame career. He also had a career batting average over .300 and walked more than he struck out.

You see, there's more to a Hall of Fame career than how often you hit home runs. To be a great hitter you must hit to all parts of the field, be patient by drawing walks and driving in runs. What about hitting it out of the park though? I see this question a lot so let's address it.

I will admit that hitting it over the fence is a great feeling and you definitely have a sense of accomplishment as you trot around the bases. I will also admit that out of all my home runs I never once tried to hit it out. It happened as a result of taking the same approach I always do. Hit the ball hard somewhere where there isn't a fielder.

You need good hitting mechanics, good bat speed, proper transfer of weight and a smooth swing. Your power comes from the bottom up. You hit off of your front leg but the power is transferred from you back leg. Remember our previous posts on this? The trigger mechanism is what moves your power or weight from the front to back to the front again.

Do you want to hit home runs more often? Keep working hard on what I just described and make sure you are transferring your weight properly. I'm not saying you will be able to hit it out of the park on command. I'm telling you that based on experience you need to have all of your hitting mechanics in order first.

Baseball Batting Instruction - Where Are You Getting It From?

2010-11-05T07:24:00.001-05:00

There is something that adults in the workforce call continued education. They call it that because they continue to educate themselves well after they graduate from college. The same is true in baseball. Where are you getting your continued baseball batting instruction from?

I definitely recommend playing each spring and fall for a full baseball season. Your managers have their hands full most of the time though. You need more one on one time if you want to improve above and beyond everyone else in the league.

Here are some ways to get some additional baseball batting instruction:

One on one time with head coach or assistant coach
Many fathers are very educated in baseball hitting. Ask your dad to help you out.
Hire professional hitting instructor in your area during the off season.
Attend special baseball hitting camp.
Interview college hitter and get some success tips.

Where are you getting your baseball batting instruction from? How has it worked for you? Please leave your comments below.

Hitting Tips For Each Spot in the Line-Up

2010-11-03T07:57:00.000-05:00

The coach usually decides where each player on the team bats in the line-up. Many factors play into these decisions if he's a good coach. You create your line-up to give you the best chance to win. There are some hitting tips that you can take advantage of to help your own situation out.

Different players have different skills and strength. They have different mindsets too. That all plays into where you will naturally fit into the batting order. Here are some tips for you to consider.

If you are fast then you should work on skills that will enable you to hit first, second or ninth. If you are a patient hitter then you should look into hitting second or eighth. If you have big strength you will most likely be tried out in the middle of the lineup.

Do you see where I'm going with this? You naturally have certain skills and you want to use those skills to your advantage so that you can be successful. If you are more accustomed to hitting eighth or ninth but really want to hit fourth then work hard to become that RBI guy. You can achieve anything you want.

But, you have to be realistic too. If you have always been that player who steals bases, bunts and walks then hitting first or second makes perfect sense and you will be the best player you can be in those spots. Take these hitting tips and sit down to figure out where you fit in. Then decide you are going to become the best player you can be.

Hitting Tips That Work

2010-11-01T07:29:00.000-05:00

I want to give you a list of hitting tips that work. The key for these tips to work is for you to take a deep dive into these tips and practice them. Even when you're hitting .300 you will want to practice these tips continually.

Being a confident hitter
Knowing the strike zone
Hitting preparation
Batting stance
Having a consistent swing
Learning how to shake slumps
Recognize each pitch and learn how to adjust
Situational hitting
Each spot in the line-up has purpose
Eating plans, workouts and having fun

Most of these items are chapters in our hitting tips ebook. Take each tip and work on it one at a time. Seek assistance from a parent, coach or teammate to help keep you accountable.

Which of these hitting tips do you find most challenging? Which one are you really good at already? Leave your comments below and let me know what your thoughts are.

Baseball Bat Swing - Getting It Started

2010-10-31T16:49:00.000-05:00

Something very important to consider when talking about your baseball bat swing is how to get it started. So, how do you get your swing started so you can hit the ball properly?

It's all about your trigger action. You need to do something to get power and momentum moving forward so that when you swing the ball it hits and travels towards the outfield for a base hit.

The trigger is what gets you going. It moves your weight or power from the front, to the back and then forward again.

It doesn't really matter what you use. It could be your hands, feet or legs to get that weight shifting. The main point is that you need to have that weight shifting forward before you fully swing the bat. That means you must have your baseball bat swing fully powered and ready before the ball is in the hitting zone.

You should check out a bunch of baseball highlights on the internet or TV and watch each batter. See how they're doing it. You see them go through this process each and every time whether or not they actually swing.

Batting Coaches Are Great ... If You Have One

2010-10-31T16:46:00.000-05:00

There is no doubt that if you are lucky enough to be under the instruction of one of the many batting coaches out there you will benefit. Having that one on one help is something that will accelerate your learning.

Guess what? Most players don't have a dedicated batting coach on their team. What are the alternatives to having one?

Parent
Head coach
Video tape
Teammates
Baseball hitting books and videos

Using all of the examples above is very possible no matter what age group you're in. A little bit of effort will go a long way. I would actually call each of those one of your many batting coaches.

Which one of these do you use? Which one of these do you find most effective?

One Bat Speed Tip That Will Guarantee Results

2010-10-29T07:57:00.000-05:00

I'm going to be brief and to the point concerning an issue with bat speed and what some people are teaching out there. Before I go there I wanted to let everyone know that I only provide tips that have been proven to work. The tips work from me and I acquired my tips early on from Hall of Fame greats such as Ted Williams, Tony Gwynn and Wade Boggs.

A full two-handed swing actually decreases bat speed by eight to 10 miles per hour.

Some players let go too early and some players don't let go. You have to find balance in the middle or you are just hurting yourself.

Most people know that letting your top hand go after contact is a very natural way to finish your swing without actually slowing the swing down. You'll hit the ball harder if you keep both hands on the bat until right after contact.

I also want to say that if you're looking to tinker with your swing now that you know this tip, you should consult with your coach or hitting instructor first. I believe it's worth it to gain some bat speed don't you?

Hitting Drills That Actually Work

2010-10-28T07:47:00.000-05:00

There are three hitting drills that actually work and I want to share those with you today. In order to improve your hitting at the plate you need to keep building up your hitting mechanics so that your skills improve.

Tee Drills: Using a tee is the most fundamental way to practice different aspects of hitting. You can set the tee up to hit pitches down the middle, outside and inside. You can adjust the tee height as well mimicking different locations of the pitch.

Soft Toss: We talked about this drill in length with this soft toss post so I'll be brief here. You can practice a variety of hitting situations but at a slow speed. It's not live pitching so you can really break down issues with your swing should they arise.

Modified broomstick drill: Find out how to make this homemade batting aid here. This drill allows you to really focus on your bat swing mechanics by forcing you to slow everything down. The bat is so light that in order to hit the plastic golf balls, you need to stay back and wait. Helps tremendously with keeping your hands back.

What are you favorite hitting drills that actually work? Please leave a comment here and let me know.

Bat Grip and How To Hold Your Hands

2010-10-27T07:23:00.001-05:00

Having the right bat grip is very important when hitting a baseball. I'm not talking about the leather wrap around your bat. I'm talking about where your hands are and how they are lined up.

Your bottom hand should be at the very least touching the knob of the bat while your top hand is touching your bottom hand.

What is normally taught is that you should line up the "door knocking" knuckles of your hands. That is taught because it forces you to hold the bat with your fingers instead of holding the bat deep in your palms. Trust me, in order to swing quicker and have more control over the barrel of your bat, you want to hold the bat in your fingers.

I've also seen taught by professional baseball players to line up your bottom hands big knuckles with your top hands "door knocking" knuckles as long as the bat is still being held by your fingers and not your palms.

I say that you should try the first option first but if you find that your knuckles aren't perfectly lined up, that's okay. The main part about bat grip you should be concerned about is keeping the handle of the bat in your fingers.

Soft Toss Is One Great Drill

2010-10-26T07:20:00.001-05:00

There is one baseball hitting drill that most teams participate in and have found great success. I participated in this drill from youth to college ball. That drill is soft toss.

Drills are necessary because they allow you to work on your hitting mechanics before you even step in the batter's box for live batting practice.

What you will need for soft toss is a bat, plenty of baseballs, a protective screen, netting or a chain link fence and finally, a person to help out.

Place the protective screen five to 10 feet away from the hitter. Have the coach, teammate or parent kneel in front and to the side of the player. Underhand toss the ball to different hitting locations. Toss 10 down the middle of the plate, 10 on the outside part of the plate and 10 on the inside part of the plate.

The batter should hit the ball to the appropriate part of the field. This gives the hitter practice to hit the ball where it's pitched.

There are different variations to the soft toss drill for the more advanced player and we'll dive into that in the near future.

The Slightly Up Baseball Swing

2010-10-25T15:08:00.002-05:00

We have talked briefly in our blog series this year about your baseball swing. We talked about how it should be never changing. For instance, you don't want to swing a different way every other time up to bat. You must maintain a consistent swing or you may find yourself becoming frustrated.

You want to find the best way for your swing to be mechanically sound. Then you practice over and over until you have the same, smooth swing. If you find that your current swing isn't producing hits then you should consult with your research, coaches and father. They can help you tweak things a bit so as to improve your swing. Then you stick to that swing.

What is all that talk about swinging level that you hear from coaches and the people in the stands? They mean well but you will actually never have a completely level swing if you want success. You see, the pitcher is several inches higher than you are because he's pitching off of a dirt mound.

When the pitcher releases the ball, his arm is even higher. That means the ball will be traveling on a downward plane. If you actually swung level then most of the time you would hit the bottom half of the ball or nothing at all. That is why your baseball swing should be slightly up.

Watch any Major League Baseball game and you will see all of the hitters with a slightly up swing. Check it out on video, consult with your coaches and practice. You will find success with the slightly up swing!

Hit Baseball and Hit It Well

2010-10-25T15:01:00.002-05:00

There are only a few different outcomes to a hitter during their at bat. You either bunt baseball, hit baseball or strike out. Sometimes it's necessary to bunt but other than that, you want to hit the baseball ... or strike out.

Ok, so when should you bunt? It's ultimately up to your coach but here are a few situations when you would want to bunt the ball.

Runner on first or second base to move them into scoring position.
Surprise bunt for a base hit.
Suicide squeeze bunt to score the runner from third base.
Safety squeeze bunt to safely score the runner.

Every other time up to bat we move into the scenario where you'd rather hit baseball and not air. We all strike out occasionally and that's fine, but most of the time we at least want to put the ball into play to force the defense to make a play.

You never know, the fielder may make an error or you can actually beat the throw to first base. Either way, you want to get on base to help your team win. Isn't that part of the reason you're playing baseball? Have fun, build character and win games.

Baseball Hitting

2010-10-23T09:15:00.001-05:00

Baseball hitting is the act of striking the ball with a bat in such a way as to where the ball explodes off the bat in the hopes that it will travel in fair territory for a base hit.

I want to tell you one way to ensure baseball hitting success. Practice! You must first arm yourself with as much information about hitting fundamentals and then practice. I've been thinking a lot about this lately because it translates into other areas of life.

It doesn't matter if it's internet marketing, carpentry, accounting or a stay at home mom job. Whatever it is you want to get better at requires practice. Baseball hitting is no different. You can't just go out there and swing a bat and hope for success. You need to practice and get better with your mechanics and your confidence.

Even in the cold winter months you can find ways to practice. There are many indoor facilities where you can participate in hitting drills and even batting practice. I remember as a kid my dad would take us to the baseball fields with snow on the ground and we still managed to practice with no problems. Don't place limits on yourself. You can do it!

Hitting The Baseball

2010-10-22T07:46:00.000-05:00

Hitting the baseball is one of the greatest feelings in the world. You've practiced, you've mentally prepared and then in a live game you get a hit! To this very day I remember many hits that I had and I can still remember everything in detail. I especially remember the home runs and if I'm blessed to have grand children I will surely tell them my baseball stories.

The best time I had hitting the baseball were the hits where you didn't feel anything. You swung the bat and you hit the ball but it was as if you were swinging a feather at air. Most of the time in my experience when that happened it was a base hit every time.

How do you get better at hitting the baseball? The right instruction, practice, hard work and determination will help you. You must know and practice the basic hitting fundamentals if you want to hit better.

This isn't a case where you just go to the batting cages every day. You must participate in different hitting drills and live batting practice. There is a lot you can do on your own but it's wise to get others involved. This may be your father, teammates and coaches.

The last thing I want to say is, you can do it! Baseball is very much a mental game too and you must approach hitting with some confidence. Don't be timid or scared in the batters box. Instead, believe you are going to do the best job you possibly can.

Baseball Videos

2010-10-21T07:56:00.001-05:00

Baseball videos can come in handy for coaches, players and parents. They can be beneficial because if properly done they can provide step by step instructions for how to do something related to the game of baseball.

I have put together several different videos focused on different aspects of baseball hitting. You can find our baseball videos on our site. Check them out and let me know what you think.

I feel that the best way of learning through baseball videos is by taking on piece of hitting and explaining how to do it in a few short minutes. Then the player or coach can think about it, practice it and then teach it to someone else before going on to the next video.

How do you like to learn? Do you prefer one long video to learn or do you like them broken into different segments? I'd love to hear your thoughts on this. Please leave a comment below and tell me what kind of baseball videos you are looking for.

Baseball Training

2010-10-20T07:45:00.001-05:00

I've been spending some time in the past couple of weeks talking with players and coaches to find out what's on their mind during this off season. One item that a lot of them are thinking about is baseball training.

This is especially true for the players who want to improve during the off season so that they can play better when the spring season arrives. Well, we say spring season but did you know that most high schools begin practice in February?

That means that players need to get their reps in by playing fall ball, participating in winter baseball camps and doing as much baseball training as possible.

I would recommend training in the off season for all high school players period. Maybe even some players ages 12-14 would be wise to train if they are wanting to take their skills to the next level. If you are concerned about cold weather coming you must not worry.

There are indoor facilities all over North America and plenty of schools these days allow student athletes to practice in the gym during certain times.

Another part of baseball training to consider is a baseball specific workout, conditioning and nutrition program. Very important!

Another way to participate in baseball training is through learning materials that you can read and watch. Remember, baseball is in my estimation at least 50% mental.

Hitting At Batting Cages

2010-10-19T08:23:00.001-05:00

I recently helped a baseball player out who perceived himself as having problems hitting after visiting the batting cages in his local town.

He mentioned that he hit really well the first round and then every round after that he progressively got worse and had a hard time hitting the ball correctly or with proper mechanics.

Here's what you need to know about batting cages. Usually one token will provide you with 25 balls to hit. The machine will pitch a ball every five seconds. That's about two minutes to hit 25 balls. If you do that three or four times in a row then you'll be hitting a lot of balls in a short amount of time.

That is going to tire you out too quickly and it really isn't quality batting practice. Nothing beats live pitching from a real pitcher but if you do hit at the batting cages here is something to keep in mind.

Hit one round
Rest for five to 10 minutes
Hit another round
Don't wear yourself out
Focus on seeing the ball
Practice good mechanics

Those are the baseball hitting ideas I gave to the young player and I'm confident that he now knows it wasn't hit mechanics that were slipping, it was that he was just getting tired by hitting so many balls in a row.

Hitting Mechanics 101

2010-10-18T13:04:00.000-05:00

It is very necessary to learn the proper hitting mechanics as early as possible. We're not talking about complicated advanced hitting techniques, we're talking about the basics. Here is all you need to know in hitting mechanics 101.

How to hold the bat
How to stand in the batters box
Where to look and how to position your head
How to position the rest of your body
How to swing the bat
When to swing the bat
What to do after you hit the ball

Kids are smart and are thirsty for knowledge. You want to take it one step at a time and not rush anything but get ready because there are a certain group of kids who will move fast and ask you many questions.

Be prepared to answer those questions and help them out. You might need to start studying now! Maybe you can go over one hitting tip each week. We want to make sure that they are comfortable before moving on to the next exercise.

Items that you'll need are things such as a bat, ball, helmet, tee and a field to practice on. If you're looking for more resources then visit our site because we have a ton of articles, videos and blog posts that cover hitting mechanics 101 and more.

Do You Have Any Baseball Stories?

2010-10-17T11:20:00.000-05:00

So far this year I have shared more than130 blog posts with you which included many of my personal baseball stories. I shared with you stories of my first home run, my two grand slam home runs, my championships and teamwork and baseball hitting tips that helped me become a great player.

Now it's your turn! I don't care if you are a player, parent, grandparent, coach or fan. Each one of you have at least one baseball story you can share. I want to hear your stories and find out how you felt at the time and what reminds you of those baseball stories today.

It is so easy to leave a comment on this blog. All you have to do is tell your story below in the white box which says, "post a comment." You can comment as anything you like. I recommend you use the selection which says "Name/URL" so that you can leave your website.

Never Give Up In Baseball

2010-10-16T09:09:00.000-05:00

The Major League Baseball playoffs last night showed us why your team should never give up. With the Yankees down five to one in the eighth inning they showed hustle, precision hitting and grit as they scored five runs in the inning and went on to win the game six to five.

The Yankees were down five to nothing the whole game until the seventh when they scored one run. Can you imagine? Being down by that many runs in a playoff game seems insurmountable, but you have to keep your head in the game and not get overly frustrated.

This is the perfect example that all players should look to this season. I have a hunch that we might see more comebacks in this year's playoffs. You just have to experience a comeback one time and then for the rest of your life you'll know that it can be done if you work together as a team.

Check out this video from the baseball game and notice how they remain calm and precise as they never give up.

http://mlb.mlb.com/media/video.jsp?content_id=12833591

Have you experienced having your team come back to win a game? Have any parents out there seen their kids play in a game like that? What was it like?

Baseball League - Fall Style

2010-10-15T07:14:00.000-05:00

Right now there are probably baseball games going on in your area which are part of a fall baseball league.

From youth leagues to high school leagues there are players having fun and there are also more serious leagues such as in the college ranks and Major League Baseball too.

Why play in a fall baseball league? What are the benefits? I'm glad you asked!

Improve your skills
Having fun
Staying conditioned
Preparation for spring season
Building chemistry with future teammates

Those are just a few of the benefits of playing in a fall baseball league. Do you know of anymore benefits? Let us know by leaving your comments on this blog.

Develop Baseball Power Swing

2010-10-14T07:13:00.000-05:00

I recently sent out a survey to my subscribers and I asked them one simple question at the end. "What else can we teach you about baseball hitting?" One respondent said that he wanted tips on how to develop a baseball power swing.

Hitting with power seems to be the rage today but I want players to be careful to think that if they just had power they would be the best or get the best scholarship. That just isn't true. I've known many players over the years have "power" but strike out every other time and they end up not even playing college baseball.

Am I saying that a baseball power swing is bad? No. But there are so many hitting mechanics that you need to have as well.

You can read our baseball hitting articles to familiarize yourself with hitting mechanics and other attributes you need to be a complete hitter. Let's get back on topic. Here are some quick ways to give yourself more power.

Full extension. To get maximum power you must have your arms fully extended upon impact with the ball. There are many examples out there but take a look at video and pictures of Ken Griffey Jr. who had one of the best swings in baseball history.

Stay in shape and exercise. As you grow physically you want to match that height with strength and you can do that though eating healthy and lifting weights. A proper baseball lifting program supervised by a trainer, your coach or parent.

Proper weight transfer. It begins with weight management. The proper shifting of weight so that at impact with the ball you have generated the most power you possibly could.

Stay plugged in with us and you will learn more about how to properly develop a baseball power swing.

Beginners Baseball Batting Tips

2010-10-13T07:12:00.000-05:00

I wanted to give you 10 baseball batting tips for beginners so I wrote a special article just to cover the basics.

"There are just as many teenagers as there are younger kids who are looking to get more information about baseball batting tips for beginners. I read questions just about every day online from kids aged 13-18 wanting these tips. Baseball is one of the most popular sports in the United States, Canada and Japan and to be honest with you, hitting a baseball is one of the most exhilarating activities someone can do."

Read the rest of our article about baseball batting tips for beginners.

Do you have any additional basics that you'd like to share with everyone? Leave your comments here so we can all learn together.

Your Baseball Off Season Workout

2010-10-12T09:43:00.001-05:00

For most baseball players the fall and winter months are reserved for relaxing, practicing and recouping. Many players play in a fall league and that is great but what if you aren't playing right now? What are you doing about your baseball off season workout?

By working out I don't mean practicing your hitting and fielding. That is extra. I mean conditioning and strengthening your body. A lot of folks out there claim that baseball is not hard on the body but I can testify that they are wrong. You use just about every muscle in the body to play baseball and for most players the seasons are long with many games played per week. It isn't a 10 game season.

This means that you need to prepare your body with an off season workout. Let me speak to players in high school and up. You should do your best to participate in some sort of cardio activity three days per week for at least 20 minutes each time. This will be good to build endurance and stamina. You can run, use the elliptical or even run sprints.

You should also look into lifting weights three days per week as well. You don't need to get huge but you do need to strengthen your muscles and get stronger each season. Just try a full body workout targeting each muscle group. Switch things up each time you workout so that your muscles don't get used to any certain exercise.

Your body will thank you if you take care of it and you will see improved results during your baseball season. Before you think about skipping your off season workout for eating chips and playing video games all day, think about February when you're practicing with your team for the first week. Are you going to be the guy behind everyone else or are you going to be one of the leaders?

Know The Right Timing To Hit a Baseball

2010-10-11T07:27:00.000-05:00

"I've recently listened to questions from youth ball players about the right timing to hit the baseball. They want to know how to get the right timing and how to keep it. This is a great question especially from inexperienced hitters."

To read the rest of this article about the right timing to hit the baseball just go to our site. We have over 30 baseball articles just for you. Check them out and contact us if you have any questions or comments.

Batting Champ Tony Gwynn Faces Cancer Treatment

2010-10-10T10:43:00.000-05:00

Tony Gwynn, Hall of Famer and eight time batting champ is fighting parotid cancer. The parotid is a gland that pumps saliva into the mouth. He now faces treatment which includes radiation and chemotherapy. Gwynn was one of the few batters that I followed and studied when I was growing up.

Gwynn is currently the San Diego State head baseball coach and hopes to be ready for the upcoming season. My family and I will keep Gwynn and his family in our thoughts and prayers. We've had personal experience with family members having cancer so we understand some of the feelings going on right now.

Read the full article here and read some of the comments from people. Gwynn is one of those players who everybody in baseball likes. The only people who may not have liked him were all the pitchers he hit day after day.

You can beat this, Tony! We're all behind you.

Home Run Game Winner You Have To See

2010-10-09T09:58:00.000-05:00

Did you see the Braves extra inning win over the Giants in game two of the National League Division Series? A crazy game for sure. A manager was ejected, there were injuries, great plays and a monster home run game winner by Rick Ankiel.

This is what playoff baseball is all about. The Braves showed a lot of resilience, hung tough and squeaked out a victory to tie the series up one game apiece. Take a look at this video highlight of the big home run.

mlb.mlb.com/media/video.jsp?content_id=12784069

What I teach in my baseball hitting ebook and what you should gain by watching these playoff games is that you should never give up no matter what. Your team could be down by four or five runs and you can battle back and escape with a victory.

You never know, you could be the one to hit a home run game winner some day! Keep working hard and stay resilient.

Mental Baseball Hitting Slump

2010-10-08T06:34:00.000-05:00

I was commenting on a baseball forum yesterday and the question came up of how to get out of a baseball hitting slump. I mentioned that there were three kinds of slumps and so it depended on which one he was in.

There are mechanical, mental and tough luck slumps. You can read more about these slumps in one of our previous posts. I made a point about the mental side of hitting and another guy commented right after me talking about the same thing.

Sometimes with a mental slump it's all about confidence. You need to maintain a safe level of confidence at all times during the season. When you begin to doubt yourself, that is the time when you'll see yourself slip into a slump.

You need to try and avoid that as much as possible. When I say safe level of confidence I mean that you don't want to be a pompous fool walking around saying how great you are and that you'll hit every single pitch. That is setting yourself up for disaster because even the best hitters only get a hit three out of 10 times.

Be confident that you are going to go up there and do your best. Be confident that you have the capabilities to get the job done. Be confident that if you don't get a hit that you will get another try and get the job done. Be confident that all of your hard work during practice will pay off.

How about you? How have you dealt with a mental baseball hitting slump? Have you dealt with any mental slumps not related to baseball? Comment on this post down below.

Baseball No Hitters In The Playoffs

2010-10-07T07:28:00.000-05:00

Wow! What a start to the 2010 Major League Baseball playoffs. Roy Halladay of the Philadelphia Phillies threw a no hitter against the Cincinnati Reds. That means that no player on the Reds got a hit.

This is only the second time in MLB history that a pitcher threw a no hitter in the playoffs. Don Larsen is the only other player to do it and it was accomplished in 1956 for the New York Yankees.

We usually talk about baseball hitting here but I couldn't write today without mentioning this great feat. Please take the time to watch this short highlight clip of this baseball no hitter.

http://mlb.mlb.com/media/video.jsp?content_id=12756599

What are your thoughts about this particular game?

Hardball Hitting Drills

2010-10-06T06:36:00.000-05:00

There was one in a series of hardball hitting drills that I really enjoyed participating in as a young ball player. I first learned about it at a baseball camp when I was living in Washington State.

You can essentially call it the "up the middle" hardball hitting drill. This drill really helps players who may be struggling with not waiting long enough for the ball or those who are waiting too long. That means they may be pulling the ball way to much or maybe not hitting it at all.

You'll need a protective L screen on the pitchers mound and you'll perform batting practice like normal. Here's the catch. The goal for the hitter is to hit the ball at the protective screen each time.

No matter what, the batter should do his best to hit the ball up the middle. Try this for 25 pitches.

As I said, this was one of my favorite hardball hitting drills at baseball camp and it not only helped me hit the ball more up the middle but it gave me confidence too.

Baseball Vacation - How It Can Help You

2010-10-05T07:33:00.000-05:00

I'm mainly speaking to all of the baseball players out there with this post. I'm here to tell you that a baseball vacation can indeed help you in a few different ways. Besides, who doesn't want to visit a few different ballparks!

I'm not going to sit here and say that you must go on the ultimate quest and visit every Major League Baseball park in the country. That would be too time consuming and expensive. I am going to tell you that it would be beneficial to visit at least one MLB park per year. Each time you go on vacation why not plan it so that you can catch a ball game and learn a few things.

Here are the benefits of having a baseball vacation for the ball players out there.

It is well worth the visit just to watch professional baseball players work. They are the best of the best in the world. Focus on someone who plays the same position as you. Study them and find out what they excel at. Watch how the players swing the bat, run the bases and win games.

Watch how the players carry themselves. I know that there are some bad apples out there but the majority of players respect the game and respect each other. Even when they may ground out and pop out most of the hustle to first base. Watch their attitudes and how most of them are all about teamwork.

Enjoy the time away from your daily life. Soak it all in. Refresh yourself. Take in the smells of the ball park and be thankful that we have this sport in our country.

I'm not sure where you want to take your baseball vacation but I want to go to Seattle, Kansas City and Boston. Yes, I grew up an American League guy and that's where I'd go first. The National League parks I'd like to visit are Colorado, San Francisco and Chicago.

Make sure you visit a ballpark in the next year and learn baseball hitting tips, fielding tips and pitching tips. You never know what you may learn that you can apply to your own situation.

Baseball Hitting Drills For Kids

2010-10-04T06:48:00.001-05:00

We've talked some about the proper drills for ball players to improve their hitting and today we're going to talk about baseball hitting drills for kids. Hitting drills are foundational in prepping any player to hit the baseball. These activities are especially important for kids who are just starting out.

I'm going to get down to a very basic level. You may find some of these drills very basic but for the kids it will be perfect.

Assuming you have already taught them the basic fundamentals of how to hold a bat, how to stand in the batters box and how to swing let's move on to some new activities.

Hitting rag balls or wiffle balls. You really want them to get used to hitting period. A good exercise for hand eye coordination is to throw or underhand toss to them so that they can get used to hitting.

Hitting the ball off of a tee. You can practice your form and all the basic hitting fundamentals by just hitting the baseball off of a tee. They are fairly inexpensive and I would recommend that every ball player have one.

Bunting. Take some time and practice bunting. You can overhand throw or underhand toss the ball to the kids. I've seen that when kids don't learn bunting early on, they struggle just a bit later on until they get further instruction in high school.

That's it! These are some basic but effective baseball hitting drills for kids that should precede any live batting practice. Do you know of some good basic hitting drills for young players? Please let us know by leaving your comment.

Baseball Families

2010-10-03T09:36:00.000-05:00

I recently read a comment by a parent on my baseball hitting tips Facebook page where she mentioned that she has three boys and they all play three different sports: baseball, football and basketball. Amazing, isn't it?

There are baseball families like this all over and the parents sacrifice so much. Getting your kids involved in sports comes with many benefits. It helps them be more social, gives them good work ethic, problem solving, sportsmanship, teamwork and the drive to accomplish goals.

Baseball families are usually on the go at the end of winter and all the way through summer. Some kids even play fall ball and participate in winter baseball camps. Can people go overboard? I'm sure they can. There are ways you can balance everything though. I remember carpooling a lot with other families. I also don't recall a ton of fall ball games both my parents went to. They would swap it up ever now and then and take turns.

How about you? What do you think? What are some other benefits of getting your kids involved in sports, dance or another activity? Leave your comments here.

Baseball Fielding Is Important Too!

2010-10-02T09:51:00.000-05:00

I've been writing about baseball hitting for quite a long time. It's my favorite part of baseball and probably always will be. I want everyone to know, though, that I love the game of baseball as a whole. I love everything about it. One of my favorites is baseball fielding and great plays.

Just like getting a hit gives you a great feeling, so does making a great play. Coaches teach the basic fielding fundamentals and to see the players execute them is priceless. I remember making diving catches, great throws and scooping the short hops at first base.

One of my favorite plays to watch is when the ball is hit into the outfield and there is a relay throw to home and the runner is called out. Let me help you visualize it. There's a runner on base and the ball is hit to the outfield. The runner rounds third base heading for home. The outfielder throws the ball to an infielder and that player relays the throw to home plate where the catcher tags the runner out.

Here is a video clip from a baseball game last night where this very thing happened. Very exciting play! Watch it.

http://mlb.mlb.com/media/video.jsp?content_id=12654695

Do you have a favorite baseball play? Share your stories with us by leaving a comment.

A Different But Great Baseball Hitting Tip

2010-10-01T07:43:00.000-05:00

It's pretty neat going back in time in your own mind to recall the great memories of playing baseball. There is probably no better memory for most players than when they hit their first home run. That memory will always stay fresh in my mind for the rest of my life.

It was very easy to write about it and I'm presenting it to you in our article series this week. Please don't hesitate to comment on this blog about your personal experience with hitting a home run. If you are a parent or Grandparent please talk about the memories you have about your kids too!

My memory starts with this:

"What I want to talk about in this article is your first home run. I know there are a lot of excited ball players who just want to hit a home run and get it out of the way so they can either concentrate on hitting for average or hitting more home runs. To be honest with you, I never once, that I can remember, ever went up to bat to hit a home run."

To learn more about my story and another great baseball hitting tip be sure to read the rest of this article.

Many Factors To Consider When Hitting The Baseball

2010-09-30T07:39:00.001-05:00

Article number four this week brings us a touch closer to more advanced hitting tips. Some of the players I was able to play with and against taught me some valuable lessons. Some of these players made it to the Big Leagues.

"Whether you realize it or not, there is a strategy to hitting and every great player knows it. Each time you go up to bat it is possible you will face a situation you've never experienced before. There are many factors that play into each at bat. I want to help you and that's why we’re dedicated to giving you the best baseball tips for hitting the ball better."

To learn more about baseball tips for hitting the ball better be sure to read the rest of this article.

Teaching Kids How To Hit A Baseball

2010-09-29T07:06:00.000-05:00

Baseball article week continues! We are posting one new article each day this week and we hope that you are liking them so far. Today's article is all about teaching kids to hit a baseball.

You may be a grandparent, parent or coach reading this and so maybe you've had a little experience with this subject. I'd love to hear your feedback on the experiences you've gone through. What you say may be helpful to some people reading this blog.

"I remember when I was a kid and how my dad started teaching us how to hit a baseball. Not just his sons but all of the players he coached over the years. I would watch what he taught and I think overall he did a great job. And yes, my dad did manage one of my teams when I was 14 years old."

To learn more about teaching kids to hit a baseball be sure to read the rest of this article.

Baseball Hitting Practice - Time To Focus

2010-09-28T07:41:00.000-05:00

Each day this week we are releasing one new article. We feel that each of these five articles are critically important for you and your success. Today's is no exception. It's all about baseball hitting practice!

Although a very fun part of practice it also needs to be taken seriously. You can mix the two and come away feeling good about your performance and be prepared for the next game.

"Oh yeah, baseball hitting practice! That was my absolute most favorite thing to do during my 14 years of playing baseball. It was also the last part of practice every year. You've got the stretching, warming up, fielding drills, running drills, game situation fielding and then finally hitting practice."

To learn more about baseball hitting practice be sure to read the rest of this article.

Bat Swing Mechanics and the Basics

2010-09-27T07:15:00.000-05:00

"It's important for all hitters, including high school level as well as Little League level, to know, learn and carry out proper bat swing mechanics. Just as you would first learn and then polish your throwing and catching, you would then move on to the basics in hitting."

To learn more about bat swing mechanics be sure to read the rest of this article.

Ichiro Hitting Consistently

2010-09-24T07:10:00.000-05:00

I could name several players that high school players and kids should follow in order to make themselves better hitters. Right at the top of my list is Ichiro of the Seattle Mariners. If there's one thing you can count on each season, it's Ichiro hitting consistently.

Ichiro has now tied Pete Rose with a record of 10 straight 200-hit seasons. That is incredibly difficult to do. MLB.com Columnist Mike Bauman wrote, "Tenth straight 200-hit season seals Hall status" By "Hall" he means the Baseball Hall of Fame. You can read more of his post here.

Ichiro already holds the record for most hits in a season when he hit 262 in 2004. Let's forget the fact that he's a five tool player. He can hit, run, throw, field and if he wanted to he could hit 25 home runs each season.

Here is the reason I think players should study him. Ichiro is steady and consistent. He stays focused. He hustles and never gives up. By the way, have you seen him swing a bat! Very smooth swing with his head down every single time. I loved watching Ken Griffey Jr., Tony Gwynn and Wade Boggs swing the bat but there is something different about Ichiro.

What is your favorite attribute of Ichiro? Leave your thoughts and comments here on this blog. Are there any other players past or present that you would recommend players learn baseball hitting tips from?

Free Baseball Hitting Drills

2010-09-22T07:29:00.006-05:00

I saw a great hitting drill today and the more I studied it I came to realize that I've actually participated in these free baseball hitting drills before! The drill I'm going to share with you today is an excellent drill and all ages can participate.

I will explain it for left handed hitters so right handed hitters can just do the opposite of what I describe. The batter will kneel their right knee down while the left knee is still up with the left foot flat on the ground.

The batter will hold the bat in their right hand with the left arm hanging down to the left side. The other individual will soft toss the ball and the batter will swing with the one arm. You then switch everything up and swing with the left arm while the right arm is down.

You have to check this video out!

For more free baseball hitting drills and other baseball hitting tips information visit our site. Feel free to leave any comments or questions here too! I'd love to help you out!

How Do You Hit a Baseball?

2010-09-21T07:30:00.000-05:00

How do you hit a baseball? Simple question that many people are asking these days as more and more youth are getting involved in organized baseball.

First let me break it down in a simple way. A hit is when a batter safely hits the ball and reaches first base. By safely I mean that there wasn't an error by the fielder.

Here's what you need to do to hit a baseball.

Choose a bat that is right for you. Not too heavy or big and not too small and light either. Stand in the batters box with your feet shoulder width apart. Your toes should be pointing towards home plate and you should have your knees slightly bent.

Your head should be positioned towards the pitcher and your eyes should always be on the ball. If you are right handed then your left hand should be on the bat towards the knob while your right hand would be holding the bat right above the other. This would be opposite for left handed hitters.

The bat should be held in a vertical position slightly angled towards your back. The next steps are to swing at the ball when it arrives. You should try to practice hitting the ball off of a tee first because the ball isn't moving. This way you can practice your stance and swing while focusing on the ball.

If you have more questions related to how do you hit a baseball then please feel free to contact us or leave comments on this blog.

Hardball Bat Instruction

2010-09-20T07:50:00.000-05:00

One thing about baseball that get's all players excited is the process of finding and buying a brand new baseball bat. I'd like to offer up advice with this hardball bat instruction.

This can be an emotional process and I know this for a fact because I've been through it. I actually look back and feel bad for my dad because I put him through the ringer trying to get the most expensive of everything. There isn't anything wrong with wanting quality baseball gear but you can go overboard especially when there is equipment just as good for a lower price.

Let's talk about bats. Here are some tips for you to think about when shopping for a hardball bat.

Size. Find a bat not too long and not too short. You need to find one that is comfortable for you. This means you need to visit several stores to get a feel for it.

Weight. You don't need a massive bat that is too heavy for you and you don't want one too light either. Again, visit the stores and pick up several bats.

Quality. You don't want a low quality bat that isn't going to last. Make informed purchases by reading reviews online and asking other players and coaches.

In the end, you want to find a quality bat at an affordable price. Consider that the purchase of your bat is an investment. If you find the right quality bat you could very well use that same bat three years in a row.

Do you have any questions about baseball bats? Ask you questions by leaving your comments on this blog. I'm more than happy to answer your questions. Don't forget to visit our site as well for
more hardball bat instruction.

Hitting a Baseball

2010-09-17T08:02:00.000-05:00

Looking to learn more about hitting a baseball? Good! I've got some quick tips that will help you out quickly. Whether you are a player, coach or parent you have to be committed to having fun!

Here are some key things you need to think about.

Choosing a bat
How to hold the bat
How to stand in the batters box
Where to look
How to swing
How to use you whole body to generate power
What to do after you hit the ball

You can find out about many of these key tips by signing up for our free report on hitting a baseball by going to our site. Our free report gives all the basic baseball hitting tips and instructions for ballplayers to get started quickly.

Do you have any questions about hitting a baseball? Don't hesitate to ask me anything by leaving your questions and comments on this blog. I'm happy to assist you.

Bunting Practice

2010-09-13T07:27:00.000-05:00

It doesn't matter what part of the lineup you hit, you need bunting practice. Even if you are the number four hitter, you need bunting practice. You never know when you may be called on to bunt.

There are many situations in a game where you would need to lay down a bunt.

Move a runner over from first to second or second to third.
Suicide squeeze play to get the runner home.
Safety squeeze play to get the runner home.
Bunt for a base hit.

As you can see, bunting can become a very important part of each game. This is why each day you need bunting practice. All you have to do is incorporate it into your normal batting practice routine. Before you take any swings you need to lay down several bunts. Take the first three to five pitches and lay down some bunts. A few down the third base line and a few down the first base line. That's it!

You may also practice game situations where you have all the fielders out there and some runners on base so that you can practice the exact scenarios that we discussed above. You should take
bunting practice seriously because you never know when you'll be called upon to help the team out in that way.

Correct Baseball Bunting

2010-09-08T07:28:00.000-05:00

Correct baseball bunting is very important because it changes games, wins games and is one of the best ways to play team baseball. You don't need home runs and triples all of the time. Sometimes you need a player to bunt the ball.

Some of the occasions in which you might bunt the ball are:

Moving runners over to second or third base
Suicide squeeze bunt to get the runner home
Safety squeeze bunt to safely get the runner home
Bunt for a base hit

Not enough teams put an emphasis on bunting and that may be costing them ball games.

Here are some basics for bunting:

Have bat at 45 degree angle
Have knees slightly bent
Pivot back foot and square around
Bunt ball on barrel of bat

It really doesn't matter if you aren't the typical player who should be bunting. You may be called upon to lay down a bunt in certain situations and you need to make sure you have the
correct baseball bunting skills needed to get the job done.

Slugging Baseball Correctly

2010-09-07T07:14:00.000-05:00

What do you think of when you hear the phrase "slugging baseball correctly"? Do you think of hitting the baseball really hard? Do you think of the action of hitting a baseball? In today's post let's talk about hitting the ball hard somewhere.

The stat called slugging percentage is a measurement usually reserved for power hitters. It's calculated as total bases divided by at bats. That means that for this stat to have meaning you need to get more than just singles. You'll need to hit some doubles, a few triples and maybe a few home runs. That's because it counts every single base you safely touch.

Back to the business of slugging the baseball correctly. Hitting only singles aren't bad at all. If you have 10 at bats and hit eight singles up the middle then you are helping your team. There are situations when you want to hit the ball a touch farther or into the gaps to either score some runs for your team or set your team up to easily drive you home.

I have great news for you! With practice and knowledge you can hit the ball for extra base hits. Remember in the past we taught you the hitting zones. Believe it or not you have a large area in which you can hit the ball. This area is deep and wide. Plenty of opportunity to hit the ball.

Let me share with you one way to get a double and maybe a triple if you are quick enough. Some pitchers love to throw the inside pitch. Especially if you enjoy hitting the ball the other way or up the middle and a pitcher catches wind of it—they will try and bust you inside. Guess what? You are mentally prepared for this. You can pull the ball down the line. This can come into many forms. You can hit a hard ground ball base hit down the line, a line drive down the line and a powerful fly ball deep down the line. Either way, you are hitting the ball away from the fielders and the potential to slug the ball is great.

Do you have any questions or comments about slugging baseball correctly? Please leave your thoughts here and we can discuss your experiences.

College Baseball Tryout - What To Bring

2010-09-03T07:29:00.000-05:00

Yesterday I read a question by a high school senior asking what he needed to bring with him to a college baseball tryout. I jumped all over that question because I've not only been to a college baseball tryout, I've been to a Major League Baseball tryout.

It is important as to what you bring and what you shouldn't bother bringing. Sometimes the drive to the tryout is 30 minutes or longer so you don't want to pack a suitcase full of stuff you don't need.

Let's start with clothing. Of course it all depends on what the weather is like and what time of year it is so dress accordingly. Why not look as professional and serious as possible? Go ahead and wear your baseball pants. You don't need to wear a jersey but you should at least wear the baseball pants. Appearance does matter in some cases. You don't want to be out there wearing jeans or nasty shorts. Dress what makes you feel comfortable so that you can perform the best. If that means you bring your wristbands, do it. Here is a small list of other items you should bring to a college baseball tryout.

Cleats
Glove
Batting gloves
Bat
Hat
Water
Some form of healthy nutrition
Stats and or video highlights to give to coaches

Those are the most important items to bring. The people in charge of the tryout usually provide the helmets and other protective equipment for the players. Have you had a tryout experience before? Share your thoughts with us by leaving your comments. If you want to learn more about hitting at a college baseball tryout then stay tuned because we'll be writing about that very soon.

Proper Baseball Batting

2010-09-02T07:10:00.001-05:00

We touch on this subject in greater detail in our baseball hitting tips ebook but I wanted to talk about it a little today. As we strive to have proper baseball batting we should cover all details. We've been going over the basics for several months so let's take a moment and talk about something a little deeper.

Keep both hands on the bat during contact. That's right. I've seen way too many people swing while taking one hand off of the bat before or during contact. By doing this you will decrease bat speed which means that you will hit the ball with less power. You will be lucky if you hit it out of the infield.

You should keep both hands on the bat before and during contact. You should only let your top hand go after making contact and then finish high. Letting go of that top hand after contact is a natural way to finish your swing. After contact.

Let me remind you that if you are a young player reading our blog and have picked up some great tips to apply to your situation, please talk to your father or coach about what you learned so that they can guide you the rest of the way.

If you have any questions or comments please leave them here and we will get right back to you. Don't forget to visit our site to read more articles and watch our videos as we teach
proper baseball batting.

Base Running Tips

2010-09-01T07:23:00.001-05:00

If there's one thing that get's on the nerves of baseball players, coaches and fans it's the base runner who doesn't run hard or hustle no matter what. That is the kind of action that will get you on the bench quicker than most things. I want to share a video with you in the hopes that you will pick up these important base running tips.

http://mlb.mlb.com/media/video.jsp?content_id=11579077

Click on that link and watch the video of Marlins player Hanley Ramirez. It's the bottom of the 10th inning and the score is tied 0-0 when Chad Tracy hits a single to left field. Watch Ramirez very closely. He runs the bases perfect. Look at how hard he is running to third base. Watch him round the third base bag perfectly. Look at how hard he is running. You see, he knows that if he scores, his team will win the game.

Here's the second of our base running tips for today. Watch where he slides. The throw beats him but he slides to the outside part of the plate. Because he slides to the outside part of the plate the catcher has a harder time applying the tag. He's safe and the Marlins win!

It is always refreshing to see a player run the bases hard. You can have a ton of talent but you need to hustle and work hard every day. You also can't run the bases if you don't get hits or walks so don't forget to read our information on how to hit a baseball. Leave comments and ask questions on this blog too.

I Made It! The Ultimate Blog Challenge

2010-08-31T07:41:00.001-05:00

I'm sitting here writing my 31st blog post in August and it's a little hard to believe. A year ago I would have never imagined that I could or would write a blog post every day for one month. I made it! It's been like the snowball effect.

I started blogging in 2007 and 2008 for my kids exercise site but wasn't consistent. I picked up blogging in May of this year and committed to myself to try and blog five days per week. Then, because of an email list I signed up for ... I don't even remember ... I joined a great 30 day blog challenge. You can read my blog post about that challenge and all the benefits I received. It was because of that blog challenge that I met some wonderful people. It was two of those wonderful people who put together the August 2010 Ultimate Blog Challenge. Michele Scism and Michelle Shaeffer are the masterminds behind this project and did a wonderful job challenging me with this daunting task.

Here is a small list of what I learned and how I benefited from this blog challenge:

Continued to learn more about Twitter and how to use it properly
Learned a lot more about Facebook and how to reach more people
Met new people whose blog posts I love and who I follow now on Twitter
Gained new understanding about certain internet marketing areas that I wasn't aware of
Built upon relationships and started new ones

Just as the blog challenge website says, I was held accountable by the group and they did motivate me daily. I did make new connections and my blog became more visible because of the challenge. I will tell you that without a doubt I'm setting a good example for my clients and potential clients.

This is the part of the blog post where I thank people for encouraging me and retweeting my blog post consistently. You should follow these great people and that's why I'm linking you to their Twitter page.

@JudyMick, @HelenRappy, @SmallBizMuse, @SheilaAtwood, @Lee_Wise, @kathygriffiths, @MarthaGiffen, @CoachJaneLee, @YvonneAJones.

If I missed anyone please let me know and I'll get you on this list immediately. I look forward to blogging more and I hope to remain consistent so that I can serve the baseball hitting community better than anyone else.

Final Thoughts on Little League Baseball World Series

2010-08-30T07:20:00.000-05:00

What a weekend for sure! The Little League World Series concluded with a new champion being crowned. Japan beat Hawaii 4-1 and became the first team other than an American team to win the finale for several years.

I saw several positive things as I watched this final game that I wanted to share with you.

Great pitching. I was amazed at how good the pitchers were from each team. It didn't matter how fast or how slow the pitching was. They all threw an amazing amount of strikes. I saw a lot of confidence in almost every pitcher from every team.

Great fielding. I don't remember watching a Little League World Series with this many good plays. The fielders had such good instincts. I saw plays made by Japan that some 14 year old players couldn't make. From the range that the infielders had to the accurate throws that all fielders had. These players have talent and they also have great coaching.

Great hitting. Some of these players have obviously been practicing the fundamentals of hitting every day. I saw a lot of great hits up the middle and even opposite field home runs which means that they are hitting the ball where it's pitched. Great job!

The Little League season is now over but there are fall leagues all over starting up very soon. I'm really excited about that and can't wait to watch more games in the coming weeks. For those out there who are just starting out and learning how to hit a baseball then read through our blog posts and visit our site. We have a lot of quality information about baseball hitting.

Little League Base Running Hints

2010-08-29T10:41:00.000-05:00

I watched both Little League World Series baseball games yesterday and the were exciting. It was amazing watching the team from Kaohsiung, Chinese Taipei versus Tokyo, Japan. Both teams play amazing defense and have great pitching. Both are very disciplined teams. A few things caught my eye and they have to do with Little League base running hints that I wrote down.

Always run hard to first base. Not matter where you hit the ball you should run hard to first base and pay attention to your first base coach for instructions on what to do next. You never know where the ball will be thrown so don't give up if you hit a slow ground ball to third base or bunt the ball to the pitcher. Running hard to first base will put the pressure on the fielder and he may make a bad throw.

Be cautious but aggressive. On a hit to the outfield round first base aggressively and watch where the fielder throws the ball. If he throws it offline then you may be able to slide safely into second base.

Slide feet first. In Little League it's best to slide feet first only into the bases. This is done for the safety of the kids and at that age it's quicker to slide feet first. I remember many times in Little League the kids who slid head first into bags and there was the occasional separated shoulder. Let's keep our kids safe on the bases.

Always be ready. If you are on base you must always be paying attention and be ready. If you are on second base and there is a wild pitch then you need to be ready to run hard to third base. Every base you can advance to is a better opportunity for your team to score a run. Every run is important in your Little League game.

Watch and listen to your coach. I know that many kids have great baseball running instincts but it is vitally important for the players to watch and listen to your coach at third base for signs and instructions. If he is waving you around third base to score then you better get in gear. If he is holding up the stop sign or the slide sign then you should prepare. Your coach knows what is best for the team while the action is going on. Listen to him and trust him.

I really am looking forward to the championship game today between Japan and Hawaii. Both are good teams in different ways. It should all balance out and provide for the viewers a close, exciting game. If you watch the game today and pick up some Little league base running hints then please visit our blog and leave comments about what you learned.

Sneak Peak Into Baseball Hitting Tips Ebook

2010-08-28T09:57:00.000-05:00

We have provided you tangible baseball hitting tips almost every day with our blog, articles, videos and special reports. We hope you have either applied those tips, thought about those tips or shared them with someone who can use them.

We would like to go a little further and share with you an actual excerpt from our baseball ebook. The following is a portion from our chapter titled, "The Consistent Swing."

Everything about the swinging process should be done in a smooth motion. You get your swing started by triggering back and then forward with the full power of your body to hit the ball. The trigger is what gets you going. The trigger shifts weight to your back leg/foot as the pitcher is about to hurl the ball towards home plate. As the weight is transferred back you will notice that your shoulders and hips almost follow that weight transfer. They close just a bit. Even your hands go back a little, ready to launch the bat in a smooth motion towards the ball.

As the pitcher is about to throw the ball, your back leg should start to transfer that weight evenly, which involves your front foot and hands, and you have to decide in that very moment whether or not you are going to swing. If you decide to swing you know that your hands will go forward and the full amount of weight completely transfers to your front leg and your shoulders and hips open up once you hit the ball.

You can obtain a copy of our baseball hitting tips ebook by visiting our web site BaseballHittingTipsOnline.com. You can also catch a behind the scenes video with examples of the color photos we took to enhance the ebook.

Down To The Wire in Little League Baseball World Series

2010-08-27T07:34:00.000-05:00

The Little League Baseball World Series is coming to an end as the championship game is this Sunday between one international team and one American team. Yesterday provided some dramatic wins which have set up some great games to look forward to in the next few days.

The team from Texas showed that they have comeback ability too as they scored four runs in the last inning to propel them past Washington 7-5. In the other game Thursday Hawaii beat Georgia 7-4 and that forces another game between the two teams which should be exciting. They will play Friday in the afternoon.

On Saturday Tokyo, Japan will play Kaohsiung, Chinese Taipei to decide who will represent the international team in the big finale on Sunday. The team from Chinese Taipei is an incredible team as virtually every player on their team hits the ball very well. They aren't hitting home runs but they are stacking up the hits and will be a tough team to beat.

What you will witness watching these games in the next few days is great sportsmanship, hard working kids, strategy from coaches and families in the stands full of emotion. That is why I will watch the games on Saturday and Sunday. I don't think my two year old will sit and watch the games with me but I know she'll point at the TV and say, "baseball!" and that always makes me smile.

To find Little League Baseball World Series information and scores you can visit their official site. To learn more about us and our baseball hitting tips information you can visit our site.

Little League Teams Rally To Win

2010-08-26T07:29:00.000-05:00

I thought I'd continue writing about the Little League World Series because after all, it only happens once per year and these games are really exciting. Two teams battled back yesterday after falling behind early which shows patience and perseverance.

The team from Waipahu, Hawaii found themselves down early against Hamilton, Ohio by a score of 4-0 but came back in the fourth inning and scored six runs and that's the way the game ended. 6-4. Hawaii only had one hit in the entire game. It was walks and other miscues that allowed the team to score so many runs in the fourth inning.

The next game was Pearland, Texas versus Auburn, Washington and Texas led early 3-1 but Washington battled back and won the game 7-4 led by pitcher Isaiah Hatch who struck out 12 batters. That is a huge accomplishment especially since Texas is a great hitting team.

The Texas team committed three errors on the night and walked four batters which didn't help their cause. The same two teams play again today starting at 4PM ET and Texas will be pitching their ace Mason Van Noort who has only given up two hits in the entire tournament.

I keep reading the same thing over and over when some of these Little League teams managers were quoted in the media. They all said they tell their teams to never give up. They are placing confidence in the players and the players are responding by giving their full effort. These are good life lessons for the kids and will help them as some of them move forward the next year as teenagers.

Are you a coach of a Little League team? What life lessons are you teaching your players and how have they responded?

Little League World Series Baseball Update 2

2010-08-25T07:24:00.000-05:00

The Little League World Series is an exciting event to watch and it has been especially exciting for me this year. I lived in Washington state for many years so I usually root for the teams up there. Following the team from Auburn, Washington has been no different.

The team from Columbus, Georgia beat Hamilton, Ohio 6-0 in the first game. Just to give you perspective, there were over 10,000 fans in attendance at that game. More than you thought I'm sure. Georgia is now 2-0 in the series so far.

The final game of the night was Fairfield, Connecticut against Auburn, Washington. Washington won the game 9-5. The one-two-three hitters for Washington went a combined 11 for 12. That means out of 12 at-bats, the trio had 11 hits. Pretty amazing.

Washington now moves on to face the team from Texas who is probably the hottest team right now on the American side of the series.

Something that I really like to see when watching Little League World Series baseball is the sportsmanship. Even though a team may lose and some of the kids get a few tears in their eyes, they always line up and shake hands with the other team after the game.

I absolutely love the Little League pledge which does touch on sportsmanship aspects.

I trust in God

I love my country

And will respect its laws

I will play fair

And strive to win

But win or lose

I will always do my best

For those of you who are interested in learning more about the game of baseball or even those who just want to know how to hit a baseball, please leave your questions or comments here and we'd be happy to help you out.

Teaching Little League Hitting

2010-08-24T07:33:00.000-05:00

Everything that we teach on our main website, this blog and our baseball ebook are applicable to ballplayers of all ages, even Little Leaguers. It's very important for young players to learn the proper hitting mechanics from the beginning. So when teaching little league hitting keep that in mind.

The main thing young players should focus on are having fun and hitting the ball. If you are conducting hitting practice for your team make sure you have several activities already planned out in advance. That way you can move from station to station in a timely fashion and the players will be less likely to get bored or lose interest. Keep things moving swiftly.

It doesn't matter if you are a parent or a coach who is teaching little league hitting. Here are four things you should pay attention to first.

The proper way to hold a bat
How to stand in the batter's box
Keep your eyes on the ball
Have fun!

Kids are very smart and seek knowledge just like you and I. Therefore, they will ask you questions about hitting. Be prepared to answer any questions by studying baseball hitting as much as you can.

If you have any questions about teaching little league hitting please leave your comments on this blog and we'd be happy to help you out.

Baseball Hitting Stats Article

2010-08-23T07:31:00.000-05:00

We made a goal this weekend to write five new baseball hitting articles and we got the job done! We are excited to be able to release one article per day in the next five days. We hope that these articles will provide in-depth information that you won't find anywhere else. The first one involves baseball hitting stats which we know can be confusing. Here is an excerpt.

"There are an incredible number of baseball hitting stats these days. Far too many if you ask me. It can get really complicated, but statisticians love it. There are even blogs and web sites dedicated to baseball stats. The term "sabermetrics" is often used."

To learn more about baseball hitting stats be sure to read the rest of this article.

Little League World Series Baseball Update 1

2010-08-22T07:12:00.001-05:00

The Little League World Series is being played right now and it's just as exciting this year as it always is. I remember when I was in Little League and how great it would have been to make it to the World Series in Pennsylvania.

I would like to update you on what's going on as things are heating up. Next Sunday is the championship game which will be held between one American team and one International team. Only one American team has been eliminated so far. They still get to participate in a consolation game but they can't win the championship. That team is from Plymouth, Minnesota.

Most teams have only played one game so far but there are several games today. To see a full schedule visit the Official Little League World Series Baseball site here. Today, Toms River, New Jersey plays Waipahu, Hawaii and Fairfield, Connecticut plays Pearland, Texas. There is TV coverage on ESPN, ESPN2 and ABC.

If you are a youth baseball player and have some time you should watch several of these games so that you can pick up any baseball hitting tips, pitching tips or fielding tips that you can practice to make yourself a better ballplayer.

Weekly Hitting Tips Baseball Instruction Part 5

2010-08-21T09:52:00.000-05:00

Every day that I watch Major League Baseball highlights I see excellent examples of perseverance and patience. Those are attributes that are needed for baseball players especially in long seasons. The highlight I'm going to share with you today will show you that as we visit our weekly hitting tips baseball instruction part five.

The Chicago Cubs were winning in the top of the ninth with two outs and two strikes on the batter. That means that one more out and the game is over and the Cubs win. The bases are loaded and Rick Ankiel is batting. It's two balls and two strikes and the pitcher throws a breaking ball right over the middle of the plate. Ankiel ripped the ball down the right field line and into the corner. All three runs scored and the Braves went on to win 5-3.

The Braves had been losing 3-2 for several innings and they only managed five hits the whole game. That has got to be incredibly frustrating but they were patient and persevered until the end. That's what we need whether it's baseball or life. Displaying a little bit of patience may pay off for you in the end like it did for the Braves. If you're ever in a game where you're losing, don't lose hope. A couple of hits, a walk, a bunt and an error by the other team might be all you need.

http://mlb.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=11171149&query=%26game_pk%3D265625

What highlights have you seen this week that were eye opening? Leave your thoughts and a link to the highlight in our comments section and don't forget to come back next week for installment six of our weekly hitting tips baseball instruction.

Hardball Hitting Instruction - The Zone

2010-08-20T07:22:00.000-05:00

The next part of hardball hitting instruction that I'd like to go over is the strike zone. This is important for everyone from youth, high school and college. Knowing the strike zone is another aspect of hitting that you must know and understand if you want to excel.

Understanding where the strike zone is should be part of your normal hitting preparation routine. Normally, the strike zone is simply from your armpits down to the middle portion of your knees. It also covers the entire plate which is 17 inches across.

It's in this zone that the pitcher tries to throw the ball and it's the same zone where you need to hit the ball. If you've read any of our others content you will know that you don't have to swing at every pitch just because it's in the strike zone. You should still hit the right pitch for you.

Let's talk about umpires for a moment. Be honest and know that some umpires are good and some seem to have a very strange way of interpreting the strike zone. The key to that is to remain focused and ready to attack the right pitch for you. This is why you should study what's going on during your games. You may need to make adjustments based on the umpires interpretation of the strike zone. He may call high strikes or he may call low strikes. Remain confident that you are going to hit the ball and don't participate in any arguing.

Once you understand where the strike zone is, you'll be able to hit the ball with more confidence. You'll already be looking for a pitch to hit in that zone so you will swing with authority. That's a good thing! If you want more great hardball hitting instruction then please visit other posts on this blog. We are happy to help!

Bunting Techniques

2010-08-19T07:25:00.000-05:00

Bunting is an integral part in the game of baseball. Bunting wins games, changes games and really demonstrates how team first baseball should be played. Not enough teams in high school and youth leagues take full advantage of it. Proper bunting techniques should be taught at the earliest age possible. Those who can bunt well are very valuable to whatever team they play on.

Don't forget that beating out a bunt is considered a clean base hit for those of you concerned about the stats sheet. Sacrifice bunts are special too because they move runners over into scoring position and don't count as an official at-bat in the stats.

The key bunting technique is to make sure that your bat is at or near a 45 degree angle in front of home plate. The reason you keep your bat in front of the plate is because you want it to be in fair territory. If you bunt the ball too far back in the batters box then you are more likely to bunt the ball foul or even pop up to the catcher or pitcher. You don't want that.

You will hold the bat in a way so that the bat handle is down and the bat head is up. This technique also allows you to have a better chance at getting the ball on the ground in fair territory.

There are some obvious times when the other team knows you are going to bunt so they bring their fielders in. In that case you can go ahead and square around for the bunt early. In other cases you'll only want to square around when the pitcher is about to throw the ball.

The goal is to get the job done no matter what and lay the bunt down but if you can, you should bunt the ball down either the third base line or the first base line. This makes it harder for the fielder to cleanly get the ball and throw to first base.

You should practice your bunting techniques every time you take batting practice. Bunt the first four or five pitches before you start swinging away. Do you have any stories about bunting that you'd like to share? Please feel free to leave comments or questions down below.

Our Businesss, Our Story, Our Hope

2010-08-18T07:41:00.001-05:00

Part of the Ultimate Blog Challenge that I'm in is receiving blog ideas each day which has been really helpful. Today's idea centers around sharing the journey our businesses have been on. I think sharing my story would take pages and pages but I'll do my best to make it short.

Let me briefly touch on my career as a whole. I graduated from college in 1998 with a degree in radio/TV production. I immediately became a director for a morning show with ABC in Nashville. I'm not a morning person at all and so that 5AM show was brutal. I worked there until I received a phone call in 2000. I thought it was a prank phone call from a friend because the guy said he was from ESPN. I almost hung up! I had always loved sports so at the time this was a dream job. I talked to my dad about it and he said that if I didn't take the job that I would probably regret it. I took my dad's advice and moved to Bristol, CT where I became a technical director and tape operator for ESPN. I had a lot of fun. Who wouldn't have fun watching sports all night! I worked their until October 2003.

I had a strong desire to move back to Nashville and I did so and began work for the Nashville Predators hockey club as a video editor. It was later that season that I got a sad phone call from my mom saying that my dad had a terrible tumor that was cancerous. Now I know why God had me come back to Nashville. The NHL went into a holdout so the next season was cancelled and I drove back and forth to Atlanta to see my dad. During that time I took a job with a company and it wasn't a good fit at all. I struggled with that and my dad. My dad passed away in July of 2004 and I really began to reflect on my own life and what I was doing vocationally. In 2005 I got a job as an email marketer at a company and I started learning more about running my own business and really knowing what an entrepreneur was.

In 2006 I started my first online business and the site was political in nature and called, "America Wide Open". I really had no idea about keyword research. I was already fairly good with HTML but didn't know much about marketing. I wrote an ebook and tried out an affiliate program. I blogged quite a bit and it was a good experience. No sales.

I then learned a lot of Internet marketing from a company specializing in that field and in 2007 I started a website called, "MyFamilyExercise.com" which still exists today. Now we were getting somewhere! We finally got into a niche that we were good at. We had knowledge and experience with kids exercise. Again, we offered an ebook with bonuses, ran a blog and really started learning about Internet marketing. But it wasn't what was going to get us to our dream of a home business.

In 2008 we took a crack at running an affiliate site with another subject we loved which is health and clean water. That site still exists today and is called, "BerkeyCleanWater.com".

As time went on I immersed myself into learning more about Internet marketing and how I can really serve people. How could I take my talents and desires and turn that into a business where I know I can touch lives and really help people. This takes us to 2010 and the site we started in April. It's our baseball hitting tips site and we believe that this is the subject matter that will propel us into our dream of working from home and serving others. I played baseball for many years and have been involved with the game even after my playing career ended. We sell a baseball hitting tips ebook currently and have some exciting plans for future products and sites. Anyone is welcome to email us and ask us questions or even give us tips that may help us.

I keep mentioning we. That simply means, my wife and I. She has been by my side the whole time and it using her talents for the business as well. She is a professional copy editor and has had a hand in everything ... except for my morning blogs! I should probably get her to look at this!

We are very excited for the future and our business and our hope is that I'll be home soon working and making a difference for people interested in baseball and health and also making a difference in my own kids lives as we have two girls. I have learned so much from the two blogging challenges I've been a part of and have met some wonderful people along the way. It's some of these new relationships that have been an encouragement the last few months and I'm very thankful.

How To Swing a Baseball Bat

2010-08-17T07:34:00.000-05:00

Yesterday we talked quite a bit about a baseball batting grip. Today let's talk more about the actual steps of how to swing a baseball bat. As you learn this I would urge you to watch baseball highlights of Major League Baseball games and study how the batters are swinging.

In order to swing the bat properly you need to have a few other things in order first.

Be prepared mentally to hit the baseball
Know what your mission is
Grip the bat properly
Stand in the batters box properly

Those are some prerequisites that you must know and you can find information on all of those in our previous posts. Now it's time to swing the bat. Most batters have a trigger action to get their swing started. You can't just stand there and swing the bat with your arms. Contrary to thoughts out there from baseball critics, baseball does indeed require you to exert much energy from all muscle groups.

Baseball batting requires you to use your whole body to swing. Most of the power in your swing is generated from your bottom half. It's not all arms. The trigger action shift your weight from your front leg to the back leg and then as you are about to swing that weight is transferred again to the front.

Let briefly describe how to swing a baseball bat slowly. You're standing properly in the batters box, the pitcher throws the ball, you begin the shift your weight back and then forward again as you swing the bat at the ball. Your eyes are always on the ball and your head is always looking towards the pitcher. The only time your head moves is when you are making contact with the ball. At that time your head will be slightly tilted down with your arms extended.

Wow, I could go on and on about how to swing a baseball bat! We'll stop here for now but remember to post any questions or thoughts on this blog and I'll respond to you as soon as possible.

Hitting Hardball Mechanics

2010-08-16T07:24:00.000-05:00

Photo of batting grip by Jeff Wise

Earlier in the month we talked about some good hardball drills that you could participate in. The theme of that information provided could be summed up in one sentence. "Drills are performed not just for the benefit of the individual but for the benefit of the team." Hitting hardball mechanics are usually related to a particular individual and that's what we're going to touch on today.

What are hitting mechanics? Let's make it very simple and break it down this way. Mechanics are everything from:

Grip
Stance
Trigger mechanism
Swinging the bat

Real easy right? It doesn't have to be complicated at all. You will find information out there that is so technical, so complicated and frankly so pointless. Hitters need to focus on all of the basics, work on them and apply them. This is the same for parents and coaches too. Do we really need to know what the super duper coil theory is about? Let's stay basic or we may cloud our minds a bit.

Let's talk about grip for a moment. Do you have the right grip? Does it feel comfortable holding the bat with your grip? Make sure you have a firm grip on the bat more with your fingers than deep in the palms of your hands. If you hold the bat too loose then you may feel jolting, ringing pain in your hands after you hit the ball. Check out the picture up above for an example of a correct grip. You can see that picture plus many more in our hitting hardball mechanics e-book.

When it comes to mechanics just focus on the basics and work on those. If you have any questions or comments please leave them here on this blog and we'd be happy to help out any way that we can.

What Is a Sacrifice Fly In Baseball?

2010-08-15T11:25:00.000-05:00

A sacrifice fly in baseball is when a batter hits a fly ball to the outfield with less than two outs. The batter is out because a fielder caught the ball. A runner who is on base scores on the play. That is a sacrifice fly in a nutshell.

The batter who is called out isn't charged with an official at-bat. For instance, if he was 2-2 already in the game and hits a sac fly then he is still considered 2-2. If no runners score on the play then it is considered a normal out. Therefore he would be 2-3. That means that he has two hits out of three at-bats. The batter also receives and RBI for his stats. That stands for runs batted in.

Even though a sac fly isn't a hit, it is still very important because it either moves a runner over into scoring position or it scores a run. I consider it a very unselfish play. You will see that most of the time when a player hits a sac fly and a runner scores that he will receive a lot of high-fives in the dugout. It's a nice little accomplishment.

Some of the top players in the Major Leagues with a lot of sacrifice flies are Eddie Murray, Cal Ripken Jr., and Robin Yount. All of those guys are in the Baseball Hall of Fame.

To give you an example of a sacrifice fly in baseball check out the following video.

http://mlb.mlb.com/media/video.jsp?content_id=10969881