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!