Blog:
July 2012
Mike Kennedy, Team USA Assistant Coach and Elon University Head Coach says:
Hitting: Stance, Balance, and Swing Plane
I. Stance
*Grip
*Alignment
II. Balance
III. Load/Stride
*Hands
*Front Foot
*Stride Length
*"Stay back" vs "Getting Back"
IV. Power Position***
*Hand Position
*Bat Angle
*Get Back Early
V. Swing Plane/Approach***
*Hands/Feet
* Lead Elbow
* Barrel
VI. Contact Point***
VII. Finish/Follow Through
*** points IV, V, and VI can all be practiced with help of the SwingRite on deck bat!***
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June 2012
Rob Cooper, Team USA Assistant Coach and Wright State University Head Coach has said:
The Mental Aspects of Hitting:
I. What are some characteristics of successful hitters?
*Confident
*Trust in their abilities
*Aggressive
*Competitive
- it all ties into your mental approach
*Confidence:
*Confident hitters are made through real work and preparation
* hit with a purpose ==same thing as studying for a test
*coaches must have clearly defined offensive philosophy --must practice what you preach
*routines
*focal point
*flush technique
*coaches must coach the mind set
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May 2012
Check out what Bill Decker, Trinity College Baseball Coach says...(look at the 4th bullet point...this is exactly what the SwingRite on deck bat helps with!!)
Hitting the Trinity Way: Successful Hitters Keep it Simple
Simplify your approach/philosophy:
*Don't try to do too much with the baseball
*Make pitchers throw
*Get in good hitting counts, know when you have to give in and grind AB's out
*Swing the bat the right way (hands); balance, balance, balance...and use lower half (control)
*Good hitters need to hit every day; doesn't have to be long. Find ways!
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December 22, 2010
Practice Makes Perfect! (as presented by Bill Holowaty, Eastern Connecticut State University Head Coach)
Pre At Bat Preparation:
...when does your AT BAT begin?
On The Bench:
*watch the pitcher, pick up tendencies
*talk hitting or talk about the pitcher with other players
*talk with the pitching coach; see if he has picked up any tendencies
In The Hole:
*helmet on, on the top step
*watch the pitcher, pick up tendencies
*contact, immediately make way to the on-deck circle
On Deck:
*prepare muscles to hit -
stretch, practice swings, etc.
*watch pitcher, have a plan -
what pitch are you looking for in what situation
count is a factor
having a play on is a factor
*contact -
immediately get into position to direct runner who is scoring
immediately make way to the batters box
In The Batters Box:
*grounds keeping
*pick up 3rd base coach
*find the ball
*check fielders, know your situation or plan
*in the box, READY TO HIT
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October 27, 2010
Some Fun Facts About Cal Ripken Jr (taken from Baseball Youth Magazine July/August 2010):
Cal Ripken Jr. played his entire career with the Baltimore Orioles, and in the process, became one of the greatest hitting shortstops baseball has ever seen. Ripken is best known for his 2,632 consecutive games played streak breaking the record held by Lou Gehrig. Ripken started the streak in 1982 and did not take a day off until 1998. He was a 19-time American League All-Star selection, a two-time AL MVP award winner and one of only eight players to hit 400 home runs and 3,000 hits. Also, from 1982-1987, Ripken played 8,243 consecutive innings in 904 games. The Orioles kept Ripken's streak posted on the old warehouse outside of Camden Yards and updated it with every game played!
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March 16, 2010
Practice Makes Perfect! (as presented by Bill Holowaty, Eastern Connecticut State University Head Coach)
3 Purposes of Practice:
*Conditioning the body
*Individual Skills
*Team Skills
5 Important Things to Remember When Planning Practice:
*Facilities
*Number of players
*Number of coaches
*Practice time
*Available equipment
Things to Remember During Practice:
*There are no excuses
*Safety first
*Have fun
*Fundamentals
*Keep it short
*Have a purpose
*Hustle
*Players goal-to be their best
*Too little rather than too much
The Practice:
*Organization
*Teach
-explain
-demonstrate
-imitate
-repetition
*Challenge
*Action
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