April, 2003 Vol. 1 Nbr. 4     

Hitting... Wow... Now that's the most sought after, most abused word in baseball. "Why am I not HITTING???"; How is he HITTING that ball?"; "Why aren't you HITTING the ball?"; "You need to start HITTING!!!" You hear these and other choice phrases everyday on the field. Hitting is one of the most perceived forms of failure in baseball. If your not hitting you may feel you are not contributing to the team or better yet you're told your not contributing.  How many times have you heard "baseball is a game of failure"? "It's the only game where someone can be successful 3 out of 10 times and be a phenom." That's all well and great but lets take a look at what is going on here. Hitting takes practice, a lot of confidence, and a pitcher that throws strikes. If every pitcher we faced only threw the ball down the middle every time we'd be hitting a lot better than we do. So what are we saying here? Basically, as a hitter you need to learn to make quick decisions,  what to do with the ball that was just pitched. (You don't have much time here...) You also have to know where the umpires strike zone is... Contrary to belief every ump has a different strike zone sometimes multiple within themselves depending on how they feel in the game or inning. This ain't a bash the ump session but you have to be aware of that factor and accept it for what it is. "You can't argue balls and strikes..." How many times have you heard that phrase?  

Moving forward a hitter has a lot going on. He must be prepared to do something as fast as he decides to do it. The last thing in his mind should be.... hummm "Trigger, Get on top of the ball, Keep your front side closed longer, etc..." All those things should have been worked out prior to his at bat preferably prior to the game. There are too many other things to worry about when your at the plate. You must be able to resolve hitting the ball to muscle memory. The best way to be a better hitter is to see a lot of pitches. Understand the different pitches and where your zone is. Make the pitcher pitch to your zone... DON'T hit in his.

There is a tremendous need for young players to be taught the proper mechanics of hitting a ball. If you were to ask the top 5 draft picks some basic questions about their swing they would not be able to answer them. You'd  think, high level players that have been playing since they were young enough to say baseball, would have a good understanding about their swings, but they don't. Why? I believe we see the answer daily on our fields of play. Here's two underlying factors in this issue... First, there is too strong an emphasis on winning versus the development of strong players. Second, there is a lack of proper instruction in the basic fundamentals. 

Baseball is a mental game and when your one-on-one, you and the pitcher its the guy with the most confidence that is going to win. You, need to learn to be that guy... that takes practice too! So don't spend your whole at-bat thinking of your last at-bat or your mechanics or what the pitcher did to your teammate. Rather get in your Right mind and do what you've been practicing to get there. Go to the plate with the situation clear and do it like you know you can.

Gil.

SLOW FEET QUICK HANDS
When your stride foot lands you should be on the ball of your front foot, NOT on your heel. Good hitters have slow feet. The faster you move your feet the slower your hands are going to be. Too many players want to generate bat speed with their feet. This is wrong. Bat speed is generated when all things work together. Step-to-hit, don't Step-and-Hit at the same time. These are two distinct movements. If you break it down in slow motion , you'll see that your stride foot comes down, and your weight stays back then you execute your swing. 

Try this drill:
This drill can be done on a tee or soft-toss...

1. Stride to  your normal stride
2. Keep you weight back
3. Keep your hands in a strong position of power... Back behind your back foot
4. Execute your swing through the ball with a good follow through
5. Maintain your balance through your swing.

BECOME A COMPLETE HITTER
Train yourself to become a complete hitter. Being a complete hitter means you're able to hit the ball to all parts of the field. If you're capable of using the whole field. The pitcher is not able to pitch you in one particular spot. He'll have to work harder to keep you off the bases. The defense can't shift to one particular area of the field. 

Hitting to Opposite Field:

1. Get a pitch on the outside part of the plate
2. Hit the ball deeper in the contact zone
3. Keep your barrel above your hands
4. Stay inside the ball

Hitting Pull Side:

1. Get a pitch on the inside part of the plate
2. Hit the ball earlier (in front) in the contact zone
3. Keep your barrel above your hands
4. Stay inside the ball

Hitting the Breaking Ball:

1. Keep your weight back
2. Keep your front side closed
3. Stay inside the ball
4. Wait for the ball to get there

Becoming a complete hitter does not come overnight. Invest your time in learning how to hit. Even Major League hitters have to work at it every day. You need to practice your drills. Learn the game. Think situationally. Fear nothing.

If your season has started. You've most likely already gotten a taste of either looking great at the plate or you're in the biggest slump of all time. One form of encouragement is "It's Not where you Start... It's Where you Finish". If your doing great keep practicing because you can be sure the pitchers are. If you struggling keep practicing because you can be sure the pitchers are. Hmmm... Same advice!!! Yeah, because if you get complacent for one minute in this game your gonna get beat. 

Put Me in Coach If you are interested in receiving your own copy of five-tool news... go Online and register @. www.PerformanceAthlete.com  Quotes "Every great batter works on the theory that the pitcher is more afraid of him than he is of the pitcher."   Ty Cobb

Just a Thought I was sitting in my living room the other day with an old friend of mine that made it to "the show". I can't help it. I always have to ask questions of his childhood. His response is almost always "I was just around the game all the time and played all the time..." He emphasized the word playing. He meant the true form of playing (having fun). His dad was a high school coach and spent his life on the field. The seeds that were sewn while just hanging around the players and having fun proved to be the most solid foundation that lead him to the big leagues. "The game must be fun and enjoyable while learning." "Back yard baseball has gone away but we forget that there is where we started to become the legends that we dream to be." "Don't sell a kid short if he is struggling you may be asking him for his autograph some day."  So, you can't help but wonder what are some coaches out there doing? What kind of seeds are they planting? If your a coach and love this game take the time to teach your players. Don't expect overnight returns on your investments think of your players as "Mutual Funds, Invest in them and over time they will grow."

If you have any suggestions or would like to write an article please contact me and I will incorporate it into a future five-tool news.
Gil. Navarro
Navarro@STaFathletics.com

Please consult your physician prior to beginning any exercise(s) discussed in this newsletter. The comments and topics on this newsletter never take the place of what your physician can recommend. This information is presented for informational purposes and should be used with caution and professional medical advice. 

Printable version 

Copyright © 2003 STaF Athletics This site is protected by copyright and trademark laws under U.S. and International law.
All rights reserved