New Baseball Think Tank

I'm honored to be asked to be a part of a new baseball "Think Tank" in the Chicagoland area. Made up of a small group of some of the most respected baseball teachers and Academy owners in Chicago, this group of like-minded instructors was put together by Chris Andel, general manager of Playball USA in DesPlaines. Chris' idea was to get some of the top progressive instructors in Chicago to share teaching ideas with one another as we all strive to get better at teaching the game. A great idea, put by Chris best when he said, "When you stop striving to learn, the game has passed you by." Our group assembled all have the same aspirations of wanting to better ourselves everyday. I was asked to be one of the hitting and infield experts on the panel. I'm very humbled to be asked, and to be a part of it.

At our first meeting, I was impressed by the knowledge and passion off all the people in the room. I'm excited to be able to share some of what I do on a daily basis, and learn new ideas from others. I commend Chris for his idea, as it has the potential turn into something big (if he wants to) but also improve the level of baseball in our city. I hope to have some exciting news of our meetings in the future.

Eye on Barmes in the Playoffs

My favorite time of year is upon us! The chill in the air and the leaves on the ground mean one thing to me - Playoff Baseball! Growing up a St. Louis Cardinal fan, it's been fun to see the Cardinals in the playoffs almost every year this decade. Still this year, my eyes will also be fixed to the Colorado Rockies playoff run, as former player of mine, Clint Barmes will be starting at second base. Clint was a player at Indiana State University while I coached at ISU. Although he was not the most talented player I've coached, I can't think of any that every worked harder every single day! It's not a coincidance that he is now finishing his 7th year in the big leagues. Barmes set a personal best this year with 22 home runs. The Rockies starting second baseman, Barmes has also started at shortstop and center field.

I use Clint as a reference a lot when I teach. Not on what he did when I coached him, but HOW he did it. By far the hardest working practice player I've ever seen, I recall many times how Clint would have to wrap is forearms in gauze before indoor winter practice because he had so many sores from floor burns received through constant diving. At a 6am indoor January practice, he played just as hard as he will this October on a national stage. Barmes also shows how versatility can make you so valuable. Barmes has the ability to play any position in the infield or outfield. I point out to all of my middle infielders, that you need to learn both positions because at some point the game may force you to switch positions. The more positions you can play, the longer you hang around the game. This is why Clint, who has marginal big league talent, will end up being a 10 year big league veteren. He plays harder than almost all players in the league, and he's worked hard at learning many positions. A good lesson for all those dreaming to play in October!

Andrew Owen selected to Team USA preliminary roster!

Two weeks ago I had six of my students participate at various age groups for the NTIS USA Baseball Identification Series. This prestigous event is used to identify prospects for Team USA 14U, 16U and 18U teams. Players are identified through regional tryouts, selected to regional teams, then play in competition at the USA Baseball Headquarters in Cary, NC. Last year, my student, Nick Solak, made it to the final cut in Jupiter, FL. This year, Andrew Owen (Chicago, IL) has been selected to the 24 man roster at the 14U level. Andrew was 1 of only 3 Midwestern players to have been selected (15 of the 24 were from Texas or California). I have been teaching Andrew for 4 years, starting when he was 10 years old. Andrew is a very gifted athlete, who has a very good grasp of mechanics for a player of his age. Those two things combined, and you get a player that has been identified as one of the best in the country. I have a very close relationship with the Owen family. Andrew's dad Steve, recently brokered the purchase of my new house! Good things happen to good people, and it can no more true than for Andrew and his family. I will update you, and maybe talk Andrew into doing a few "guest blogs" to narrate his experiences in his he takes his final step into being a "Team USA" player.

Coaching on MLB Network Sun 8/9 at 11:30 Central

Two weeks ago I spent the week in Los Angeles at Major League Baseball's Urban Youth Academy for the MLB/USA Baseball Breakthrough Series. The second annual Series gathers some of the top minority high school players across the United States, giving them instruction and exposure in front of top scouts and coaches. I represented the Chicago White Sox as a lead instructor. There were some heavy hitters at this camp: Frank Marcos, Scouting Director for the Major League Scouting Bureau, Jimmy Lee Soloman, Director of Baseball Operations for Major League Baseball, Darryl Miller, Urban Youth Academy Director. Also on hand coaching were Hall of Famer Frank Robinson and Former Dodger Reggie Smith.

It was a great week of instruction and games. It was a chance of a lifetime for the players. Most had never been on a plane before and the first day we were there the kids were treated to a game at Dodger Stadium and got to meet with Dusty Baker, Juan Pierre and Orlando Hudson. After evaluating the players in a pro style tryout, four lead instructors drafted their teams for the week. My staff of Cliff Brown and Dan Puente worked hard at evaluating and I wanted to draft an offensive heavy team (what would you expect from a hitting coach). There were strict pitch count limits so I knew runs would have to be scored as several pitchers would have to throw each game. This worked out for us. We battled through pool play and faced the MLB Urban Youth Academy Coaches in the Championship Game. I started Josh Burris (Recently committed to LSU) on the mound and we made a switch from batting our best player (DK Carey, recently committed to Univeristy of Miami) from the three hole to lead off, to try to be an offensive catalyst. The game came down to the last inning. Watch the MLB Network Sunday August 9th at 11:30AM to see Major League Baseball's Broadcast of the Breakthrough Championship and see some of the future big leaguers before they become stars!

Ultimate White Sox Day

First, I'm guilty as charged for not posting in awhile. But between selling and buying a new house last month, getting ready to move and doing my most lessons ever despite the worst economy in recent history, I've been swamped! For those of you who are White Sox fans, I think my day yesterday will make you very envious! I took the afternoon off of lessons yesterday to conduct several items of business at the Stadium. It ended up being Ultimate White Sox Experience!

2:45pm - I walk into the front offices to talk to White Sox Inner City Baseball Director Dan Puente, and I end up running into White Sox Legend and current Comcast announcer Bill Melton. Bill and I live in the same neighborhood, so we caught up and talked about this weekend's White Sox Experience Camp at U.S. Cellular Field, in which he and I will both be a part of.

3:00 Get my work done for a few hours.

5:45 See Owner Jerry Reinsdorf in hallway and said "Hello."

5:50 I slip back to wish my friend, National Crosschecking Scout, Nathan Durst, good luck on the first day of the draft. On my way to the back offices I see White Sox Scouting Director Doug Laumann and we chat about his son Jackson who I've coached a few times over the years. After wishing Doug, "Good Luck," he invites me back to the "war room" to talk to General Manager Kenny Williams. Now this is a big deal. The "war room" is off limits to everybody on draft day. I say hi to Larry Monroe, Special Assistant to Jerry Reinsdorf, and discuss with Kenny the progress of his son Tyler, who is coming off surgery. Doug has recommended to Kenny that I do some training with Tyler as he comes off his injury. 5 minutes before the draft starts, I let them get to work. Kenny told me to go back into the clubhouse and see if Tyler was still hitting, so off I went. I was suprised to see how relaxed all of those guys were at the time. I expected the "war room" to be like a high tension cold war bunker!

6:00 Go into the clubhouse to look for Tyler Williams. Nobody there except Scott Podsednik, so I head out to the field. Detroit Tigers are in the batting cages hitting behind the dugout. On the field the Sox are taking BP, so I watched awhile from the Sox dugout. I ran into friend, Chris Rongey, White Sox announcer for 670 the Score. Both Southern Illinois natives, we caught up and I did a quick two minute spot on the radio discussing some of my summer activities. He invited me to a remote broadcast to be on the air with him after the Cubs-Sox game June 16 as he is broadcasting a few blocks from my house. Rongey has to leave me to do pre game interview with Pitching Coach Don Cooper. I say Hi to Coop and head back to the clubhouse. On my way back through the clubhouse, I stop and talk to TV announcer and former Cy Young Award Winner, Steve Stone. I inform Steve that I am about to bring a group of 13 year olds up to the TV booth to say Hi.

6:15 I go to Gate 4 to get our 13 year old Academy Travel team and take them up to the TV/Radio Booth Level. I ran into Jeff Szynel, Scoreboard Operator, and he said since he saw me, he was going to run my Skills Tip Commercial during pre-game.

6:20 I take a few of the 13 year olds into PA announcer Gene Honda's booth while he does the pre game announcements.

6:22 White Sox Announcers, Ken "Hawk" Harrleson and Steve Stone talk to our group before going on the air.

6:25 See Grounds Crew DIrector Roger Bossard on the way down to the field. The "Sod Father" says hi to the boys, and says that he hopes he cutting the grass at the stadium for them in 15 years.

6:27 Head to the suites for the game.

6:30 While eating a hotdog, I see myself on the Jumbotron in my skills tip commercial. (Must admit, kinda weird seeing yourself blown up on a screen 100 feet in height)

7:00 Join White Sox Vice President Tim Buzard in the suite and watch the first 5 innings of the game. Vice President Tim proceeds to try to identify every flavor of jelly bean he eats from the Jelly Belly bag of the desert cart.

7:20 Tim still identifying Jelly Belly flavors.

8:00 Head down to field level to my seats two rows behind the Sox dugout just in time to see Brian Anderson hit a home run.

9:30 Head home after a full White Sox day! Who wants to go to the next game with me?

Learning the Pujols Approach

Ok I'll admit, although I work for the White Sox, I've been a lifelong Cardinals fan. With that being said, players that work with me probably get tired of me talking about Albert Pujols in regards to the swing. One of the things I've been happiest with in talking to my players recently, is how successful their approaches have been at the plate.
There is much more to hitting than mechanics. Players need to understand their strengths and weaknesses, what a pitcher is trying to do to them to get them out, situations, and also how the count affects what they are looking for. Anyone that follows baseball knows the terror Pujols has been on to start the season. When I'm not working, I try to watch as many at bats of his as possible. One thing that I've noticed of Pujols, like most hitters who are in hot streaks, is he is not hitting out of his "zone."
"Zone" hitting simply means that a hitter does not have to cover all 17 inches of home plate all the time. No player is good enough to cover that much of home plate successfully. What hitters need to do is seperate what they consider their "hitter's pitch" from the "pitcher's pitch." If hitter's are patient enough to stay in their "zone" until they get two strikes on them, they are going to find that ball in the middle of the plate eventually. Here is how I know this. No pitcher at the ameatuer level is going to throw three balls on a corner in one at bat. I know this becauase big league pitchers can't do it either. The closest guy to doing so was Greg Maddux, which was why he was still pitching in the big leagues throwing 83mph at the end of his career. That being said, there will be a hitter's pitch in every at bat, or the pitcher walked the hitter. Hitter's just have to be patient enough to get that pitch. It may be the first pitch of the at-bat, or it may not be until later in the at bat, but in any case it will be there.
That is what has made Pujols so good so far this year, and in his entire career. He simply doesn't give in to the pitcher on a "pitcher's pitch." This makes the pitcher either force something into the heart of the plate, or walk Pujols. And Pujols has been patient enough to take his walks. Pitchers often comment that there is no one way to pitch to Pujols and I believe that is true. When Pujols has struggled in short stints in the past, it is because he finds himself trying to do too much and he begins chasing "pitcher's pitches" thus getting himself out. This is no different than most big league hitters. When they stay in their "zone" and try not to do too much, they hit "hitter's pitches." When they chase, they struggle, making their hitting zone much too large and too hard to cover and getting themselves out. Bonds and Manny (Steroids Aside) were also great at this. Here is a great quote by Manny in a recent ESPN article, talking about the pitch on the inner third of the plate, "I don't swing at that pitch unless I've got two strikes. And then I just try to foul it off." What Manny is saying, is the inner third is not a "hitter's pitch" for him, so he lets it go until he has to hit it.
A simple generic approach I have taught my hitters that they have raved about to start their seasons is that early or up in the count 0-0, 1-0, 2-0 or 3-1 I'm looking in a general area 3 or 4 baseball's in width. As I add a strike, 0-1, 1-1, 2-1 we add a baseball on each side, which is still excluding the corners (pitcher's pitches). Of course with two strikes, we have to cover the plate, plus some, and our approach takes us to looking for the fastball away. This general approach has slight changes from person to person based on their individual strengths and weaknesses. There are a dozen drills that we do working on this specific approach. I know it works, based on the feedback from my students and from watching Pujols tear the cover off the ball to start the year! The bottom line is that a "hitter's pitch" is something a hitter should hit hard 7/10 times while "pitcher's pitches" we may only hit hard 1 or 2 out of 10 times. What balls should hitter's be attacking? If a hitter can learn to stay in their "zone", hitting becomes a lot easier.

Justin Stone White Sox Jumbotron Clip

Get to a White Sox home game early and see the "Fundamental Training Tip of the Day" on the Jumbotron! This is the clip that played on Opening Day!

How to avoid the "Two A's"

After a long winter of training, many youth players are getting outside for the first time to start their games. Players and parents alike are excited to see how off-season training will benefit them in the start of the year. More than just getting mechanics correct, I remind the hitters of a potential problem that many face when they first go outside.

Hitters tend to be out in front of the pitcher in their first games of the year for three reasons. First is the distance of the mound being longer than what they trained with in BP. The last two I classify as the "Two A's": Anxiety and Adrenaline. Here is how to combat all three.

First, the mound distance being greater than most batting cage and BP distances makes it seem like the ball is being pitched from second base. This causes hitters to jump out on their front foot while the ball seemingly never gets to home plate. My advice for this in the first few games is to think about driving the ball to the opposite field gap. Although for most hitters, the general approach is to use the middle of the field, gap to gap, I tell hitters in their first few games, think the opposite field gap to let the ball travel deeper in the zone, combating the tendency to jump out in front early in the season. Now, the hitter may not hit the ball the other way. It is just a mind set to let them see the ball longer and stay centered in their stride. Once the hitter feels like his timing is down, start using the whole field as the approach.

The next two dreaded reasons, anxiety and adrenaline can lead to a disease that baseball people recognize as "White Line Fever." This causes a hitter's swing in a game to not resemble anything they did in the cage. Anxiety is a normal feeling for any athlete competing in any sport. The butterflies in the stomach must be and can be controlled. First explain that the nervous feeling before a game or during an at bat is normal; even the big leaguers feel it. That feeling should be expected and just means that you are ready to compete and want to do well. But, this feeling can be unusual for young hitters if the butterflies come suddenly and are unexpected. Then, anxiety can lead to something that resembles more of a panic attack and take a hitter out of his comfort zone and out of his swing.

Adrenaline works the same way. It's the body's way of heightening the central nervous system. But when the blood starts pumping, the hitter's breathing becomes more rapid, and the tempo of everything the hitter does is increased. While adrenaline is usually good an any other sport, as a hitter it can ruin tempo, speeding the hitter up and making him jump at the baseball.

Once in a game, getting ready for an at bat, there are a few more ways to control the "Two A's." First, have the at bat before you have the at bat. (That wasn't a typo) This starts when you get in the hole or on deck. Concentrate on the pitcher, his timing, and release point. Then, as a hitter try to get your timing set on his and visualize the pitch coming to you as you swing. See the contact point and the ball leaving the bat, hitting it where its pitched. You will have several chances to do this before its your turn to hit. Next, control your breathing on deck and during your at bat by taking deep breaths before you step in the box. This will temporarily slow the heart rate and breathing so adrenaline doesn't take you out of your comfort zone. Third, you'd be surprised how many big league guys talk to themselves on deck or at the plate by just giving themselves little reminders. These reminders keep the hitter focused and helps control anxiety by giving them something to concentrate on. These need to be VERY simple reminders like, "See the ball" or "Slow and Smooth", and not a dissertation on mechanics. Finally, all the work in the off-season has prepared you for this moment! Have fun with it! The people who should be nervous are the one's who haven't put in all the time to get ready. The game is the test. If you've done the homework, then you are prepared and will do well.

These three factors are likely reasons for why youth hitters can get off to a poor start. Once a hitter starts slowly, they tend to pressure themselves more, and do worse. Techniques to control the "Two A's" and thinking the opposite field gap early in the year until timing is set, is a good way to ensure that your preparation gets you off to a good start!

Forehand Play

Latest video on the forehand play.

**DISCLAIMER** RESULTS NOT TYPICAL!!

I get phone calls periodically from former students of mine who are in college or high school kids out of the Chicago area that are struggling. By listening to their symptoms and knowing their swings, I can give them idea of what I picture happening in their swings. Thursday, I received a call from a Springfield, IL high school student of mine, who felt "jumpy, like he was rushing at the ball . . . and couldn't stay back." I explained to him a few things about rhythm and tempo and gave him a tempo drill to do. The drill was difficult to explain without showing him, because he had never done the drill I was speaking of. He said he understood, thanked me, and ended the conversation.

Late Saturday night the phone rang again. I was out to dinner so I didn't answer it, but after the listening to the message, I knew I needed to return the call. When we spoke again, my student explained to me that he felt really good after doing the drill, had a good BP session, then proceeded to have a career day - which included 3 triples! We laughed about that because he doesn't run well at all. I reassured him that hard work always pays off in baseball, and he thanked me again, which was fine. But I told him I had very little to do with him having a great day. Sometimes when I find when my students making these phone calls during times where they are searching for their swing, hearing me reassure them about finding their swing again just makes them relax and feel good about themselves. There is uncertainty in any hitting slump, and just giving the hitters simple answers over the phone, may be the only thing they need to get their minds right again, thereby ridding the feeling of being "lost." So I do not for a moment think that I had anything physically to do with my student having a career day. I do think that I made him relax by telling him to get back to a few basics that made him feel confident about himself. Which is why I titled this post "RESULTS NOT TYPICAL!"

Public Service Announcement! Must Read!

This may be my most valuable post every year. Athletes spend countless hours training and doing drills in the off-season to get their swings "right." The routines that build the swings usually start with a series of tee drills, then feeling any mechanical adjustments in a front flip setting. Finally, closer to the season we begin working on the timing phase of the swing with live drills. The problem: Once the season starts, players think, "OK, so I've worked hard to get my swing right. Now let's go out and put it to use." The hardest thing about building a good swing, is keeping it good. Players need to stay in their routine, refreshing mechanics all through the season. Swings break down slowly as hitters neglect mechanics work. Then, a slump slips in, it's panic time, and hitter's try to start all over again. This misery and mental anguish can be avoided by just following a minature version of the hitter's off season hitting plan, and doing it daily or every other day.

Think of it this way, MLB games come on TV at 7pm. As viewers we see them playing the game only. What kids don't realize is that these players get to the park at 2pm and once they step in the cage, the first thing they do is T work. Next, they do some front flips. Then, they will move back slightly in the cage to get some short over hand toss. Fourth, they go on the field for BP. Finally, it's game time! This is a daily routine, 162 games a year.

Players, you want to have a good season? Take your off season plan, pick out the drills that help your sticking points in the swing, and find a way to do it daily. This may mean being creative and setting up a T in your garage. You'll thank yourself later for doing it!

Skype lesson a success

The Skype lesson turned out to be really cool. I set up in my living room with a tee and a bat. The Skype call came in from Missouri and he was set up in a cage with a webcam and a mic. The picture was clear, and we started the lesson just like I was in the cage with him. Evaluating his swing from the ground,up, I immediately saw he was the victim of an early stride. The stride foot would get down prematurely, stopping body momentum altogether, then he would hit from a dead standstill, limiting swing production. We talked about timing and when to start on the pitcher. Then I gave him a tee drill, where the timing of the negative move and stride is based on a pitcher out in front of the tee at normal mound distance. The pitcher goes through dry mechanics behind a screen, then hitter goes through his negative move and stride based off what he sees. The negative move will occur around toe touch of the pitcher. The hitter's stride will happen around release of the ball. This immediately made a world of difference to the hitter and we worked that same timing off soft toss and live. He messaged me the next day on how much better he felt. We are set up to work again in a few weeks to check his progress. It's amazing for somebody my age, who was into college already before I knew what the internet was, to be able to do something like this with someone who is hundreds of miles away.

Long Tunnel Tee

The best way to tell if a player is staying "through" the ball is to watch the rotation of the ball as it comes off the bat. The ball's rotation will tell us everything we need to know about the swing. Ideally, the ball will come off the bat with backspin; meaning, the player stayed through the point of contact, behind the ball. A ball with hook spin is a ball the player "got around." A ball with flair spin is a ball that the player was inside but "cut off his swing" before extension. Long Tunnell tee is the best way to gauge this. Check the video.

Doing my first virtual hitting lesson

Tonight I'm doing my first virtual hitting lesson over the computer. I'm really excited that I'm able to share my passion for baseball with people all over the United States now. I will be working with an out of state hitter via Skype. He is taking his laptop with webcam and internet card to the batting cage, and I will give him a lesson through my computer and webcam at home. I'm interested to see how it turns out. I'll post the results soon!

Justin Stone Hitting Camp Results

We had a lot of fun Saturday and Sunday at our "Justin Stone Spring Training Hitting Camp." We helped 60 kids get off on the right foot for their seasons by doing mechanics work and video analysis. One nine year old hitter watched his video analysis with me and said, "Coach Stone, I'm good now!" He had a huge smile on his face, as did I. What more satisfaction could a coach want than that?

Quick tip

This is a quick tip that was filmed by Comcast at Spring Training some time ago. This was broadcast during the pre game show of White Sox games. I found it on my files, and thought it would be a great short tip. So many athletes, even in high school, still hold the bat incorrectly, thus limiting their bat speed. This is something that should have been corrected at age 7, yet players are still resistant to doing it. Here is my tip: If I told you I could increase your fastball speed 5mph in one day, the player would do anyting I would tell them to do. Why is this any different? "Comfort" is the answer. It is easier to stay within a "comfort zone" rather than changing something that is momentarily uncomfortable. Still, that uncomfortable feeling doesn't last very long, if the player practices enough!

Virtual Video Instruction

Whenever I get new technology, I'm like a kid in a candy store. I think it is important in lessons that the parents also learn along with the students. The parent will see more of the player's swing than I will. So, if a parent can reinforce the things we are doing in lessons, it will speed up the adjustment process for the hitter. I've been using a new capture software which gives me the capability of doing graphic and voice-over instruction on my computer to burn on a DVD for the player. Based on the analysis, I can add the drills that would be most appropriate for that player, with an explanation on how to do them. This would allow the player and parent to have an easy reference outside of lessons. Check it out below:

Extension - Tee Extended Drill

One of the extension drills I use here. The idea is to keep the bat in a large hitting window. By moving the ball two inches further out in front, trying to still hit the ball up the middle, the bat stays in that big hitting window. Make sure players are still staying "inside" their front side and not "reaching" with their upper body. It is their hands that need to continue on that path.

Routine Ground Ball - Half Speed Roll

Like hitting, fielding drills become more difficult as you add speed to the ball and distance in the drill. We start all of our hitting and fielding drills, "slow and close" before we move "far and fast." As the player feels comfortable and achieves the necessary fundamentals, you add difficulty by adding speed and distance to the drill. The progression should be done gradually. This video is the second step of my routine ground ball progression.

10 Chicagoland High Schools Using our Hitting System

Since official high school practice began on March 2nd, I have been busy consulting and putting on clinics for several Chicagoland high schools. It's been a lot of fun for me to go out and work with so many players the last few weeks and help them with their swings. What I've focused on is assisting high school coaches with a drill progression that helps teach the "absolutes" of the swing. I finish up my last consultation this weekend on a trip north to Jacobs High School. The clip below is from a presentation at Wheaton Warrenville South High School filmed by head coach Tim Brylka.

Illinois High School Clinic Clip

I'll get back to the posts about the routine ground ball in a few days. A few nights ago I did a clinic for the Nazereth High School varsity team and their coach, John Sime, gave me a DVD of my clinic speach at the Illinois High School Baseball Coaches Association Clinic. I am honored to have spoken at the clinic of 500+ coaches for five years in a row. This year I spoke on progressive hitting drills. I cut up a clip here that deals with "tempo" of the swing. I will blog a section on tempo and drills in a future blog.

Routine Ground Ball - Angle Step

Here is the start of a series of posts about routine groundball footwork. It is my firm belief that infielders will improve their hands by having good feet. Learning to play through the ball in one motion is the key to this. With that in mind, the first step to a routine groundball is crucial. We call this an "angle step." This gets the player to the correct side of the ball so the player's momentum is going to the target when they field and throw. I break all of my footwork down in drills like this and have had a lot of success teaching it this way.

Extension video

Hitting in 3D!

After leaving Indiana State University as a college coach, I made a stint at a St. Louis High School coaching baseball and football. Because our school dismissed at 2pm, I could finish practice and then go directly to a 4pm game of one of our opponents to scout. I put a scouting report together for all of the competitive teams we would face which I knew would put us at a huge advantage as long as our pitchers could locate. The reason being that 90% of high school hitters that we faced I classified as "1 dimensional" hitters. Here is my classification system:

1 Dimensional Hitter - Can Handle 1 pitch (fastball) on one part of the plate
2 Dimensional Hitter - Can Handle 1 pitch (fastball) on both sides of the plate
3 Dimensional Hitter - Can Handle a fastball and off-speed pitch on entire plate

This system made our pitching and defense plan very easy. In fact, in 2003 our team ERA was below 2.00 for the entire season, and we were the top ranked team in the St. Louis area! If we located, a 1D hitter became an very predictable out. 2D guys we would have to pattern pitch to keep off balance, and we would not let a 3D hitter beat us, pitching around him if necessary.

Now as a private instructor, I see that same 90% of 1D hitters in a lesson for a first time and create a plan to take them to the "next dimension." 1D guys typically pull off the ball or cut off their swing so synchronization and bat path is in order for them. 2D guys typically have stride or weight distribution issues that keep them from hitting an off speed pitch.

My high school hitters are all being evaluated right now by their coaches. My off season plan for all of my hitters was to help them become at least 2 dimensional. If a player can use the entire field, by staying through inside and outside pitches as well as making timing adjustments to both they can have success at any level of baseball and really excel at the high school level.

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Extension - Hitting in a big window

The most important component of extension is hitting in a big window. Mechanics are not the most difficult part of the swing; timing is the most difficult part. Therefore, one of the benefits of having good extension is keeping the bat in the hitting zone to maximize opportunities to intersect the baseball. Thus, hitters can afford slight timing errors and still make solid contact.

Those that are familiar with my teaching know that I am big into video analysis. Through my research of literally 1,000 big league swings on slo mo video, three stand out in my mind when I think of extension. I often ask this question to the kids I teach: What do Alex Rodriguez, Albert Pujols, and Joe Mauer all have in common? The answer they start with is usually home run related. Though that answer is true, it's a by product of the answer that these guys hit with a high average every year. Those hitters will continue to do so because their bats are in the hitting zone as far or farther than any hitters that I've studied.

So what I jokingly tell hitters I'm working with that cut off extension is that for them to hit well, their timing has to be better than Albert Pujols' (which we know isn't going to happen) because their bat is hitting in a very small window. The bigger the window, the more of a chance for solid contact. The smaller the window, the likelihood of solid contact decreases unless the timing has to be nerarly perfect.

Bat Path / Extension

My next segment of blogs deals with extention. Extention is simple in thaught and difficult to accomplish. I find myself teaching this less than I have in previous years. Here is why: Extention (or lack there of) is easy to see for an instructor. Because it's easy to identify, instructors immediately begin working to correct this flaw. As a younger instructor, I was guilty of doing the same thing. What I've learned after giving thousands of hitting lessons is that every phase of the swing must be correct for extention to be correct. If there is a flaw early in the swing, that flaw will translate into a bigger one later in the swing. Cutting off extention ends up being the result of several flaws earlier in the swing. The point is, when an instructor sees that extention is lacking, it is usually something earlier in the swing that needs corrected. Finally, when every phase up until contact is correct, extention can then be worked on. Tommorrow, I will post an extention video.

One Knee Tag Drill

Another in the "knee drill" progression. Great lead up drill for those getting ready to start practice indoors.

One knee backhand drill

It's been a few weeks since my last post, as I was on vacation. Here is a great drill for those getting ready to start their indoor practices. Backhands are tough for all infielders. I believe it is easier to learn the backhand from the kneeling position because the eyes stay connected to the glove. Infielders who struggle with this play often straighten their upper body too much, disconnecting their eyes from the glove. Notice throughout this drill that the fielder's chin will always stay over his front knee.

Two knees exchange video

This is the final "two knee" drill, in which the exchange to a throwing position is made. Here, make sure that the fingers of the glove come to the bare hand on the way to the throwing side shoulder. That will make the infielder have a short arm break. This is one reason I do not teach funnelling into the belly button. From the belly button, the break of the hands turns into a longer arm arc. Use this drill in conjunction with my previous "two knee" blog drills.

Walk through drill

This drill is designed to get the hitter to use his back side efficiently. It will also get hitters to start his synchronization from the ground. You will see in this drill that I walk all the way through the tee upon finish. You can also do the drill by walking up and swinging against a firm front side.

Feet Together Drill

This is my favorite tee drill. I like it for several reasons. First, since my last blog was on lower body mechanics, the momentum created by the elongated stride will help the hips pull the foot onto the toe. This ensures that the hips are turning my lower body instead of the foot (for the players that are still "squishing the bug") Next, this drill creates correct synchronization and torque because the hands go back as the stride goes forward. To add, I will soon blog about the "pace" of the set-up. This drill helps control the tempo of the body during the stride.

Lower Body Mechanics

This video is a very simple approach to correct lower body mechanics. During the next week I will post a few videos of drills I like to help teach the lower body mechanics efficiently.

Two knees glove drill

The next progression in the infield series. Starting on the knees makes it easier for the infielder to keep his hands out in front of his chin for first contact with the ball.

Tee Tip

Follow this simple tee tip to ensure you are working inside and through the baseball!

Bare Hand Isolation Drill

This drill helps infielders understand that we must make first contact with the ball out in front of our chin. Starting the players on their knees with a slight chest lean forward will help them learn to keep the glove hand out in front of them. Next, I equate "soft hands" with a "loose wrist" when fielding. You will see the players taking their fingers through the baseball by bending at the "wrist hinge." When this "hinge" is not present and the wrist is stiff, it hardens the hands.

Top Hand Drill

A great drill to learn barrell whip and staying through the ball is another warm up drill we'll do with the top hand. When done correctly it helps a player stay through the ball with added whip.

John Mallee Hitting Camp Results

John Mallee, Hitting Coordinator for the Florida Marlins, hosted a hitting camp at our facility this past weekend. John is, bar none, the best hitting coach I've come in contact with. A few times a year, I get together with John, break down video, and pick his brain about hitting. What John confirms is that with the amount of body parts moving in the swing, there are a lot of things that can go wrong. Before coaches start to work on fixing one piece or another, there is always one thing that has to come first: Is the synchronization of the swing correct?

Dads will come to me during lessons and tell me they want their son to hit for more power. While I can't magically add twenty pounds of muscle to their son, I can make sure that their synchronization is correct, thus giving them a chance to maximize their bat speed.

The swing begins from the ground, up. To create torque and to maximize bat speed, the hips have to begin to fire while the hands are still back. Kids do not do this naturally very often. 99% of players we have come through the Academy have to be taught this.

Beyond creating bat speed, keeping the hands back at launch allows hitters to recognize the pitch before they swing. While players that have their hands and their stride foot coming forward at the same time, are swinging, then trying to react to the pitch. That is why so many players struggle with fastballs away or any off speed pitch. To wait on those pitches the hands have to remain back.

The stride-seperation drill is a good one for this. Check below in my blogs to find the video for that one. I'll add some more good "torque" creating drills soon!