Select the Proper Bat

• Comfortable Stance

• Stride and Hands (Load)

• Quick Swing Straight to Ball

• Long Follow Through

• Make sure that players can handle their bat

• Too heavy of a bat lead to inconsistent fundamentals

Observation: Hitters are NOT Robots

• Grip: Knocking Knuckles Aligned– Bat in Fingers NOT in Palm

• Feet: little wider than Shoulder Width

• Head: Turned to Pitcher– See the Pitcher with BOTH Eyes

• Hands: Near Head, At or Above Shoulder– This will vary from person to person

• Brief, synchronized movement with the hands and the lead leg in preparation of the swing

• Hands slightly move towards catcher

• Front Leg moves towards Pitcher

• Stride and Hands should be SET before the ball gets to the plate

• Stride and Hands go EVERY pitch

• Recognize a pitch to swing at• Quick Fire of the Back Knee

– Continues to move to form a “Power L”

• Hands straight to contact– Bat to Follow

• Eyes See Contact• Throw the Bat Head at the Ball• On Contact, Extend Through the Ball

– Power Triangle

How do you hit Home Runs? *Drive the Ball by getting

Backspin• Backspin: Occurs when the bat hits the ball

through the bottom 1/3 and the ball stays on the bat

• Power Triangle keeps the ball on the bat a split second longer, creating back spin

• Maintain a Firm Front Leg until Contact has ended

One of the best Power hitters. Hits well to RF b/c keeps hands inside ball but still hits line drives. Also, Whether ball is HIGH or LOW, he adjusts with his hands but BASE is the same.

#1: Weight distribution of about 60/40 in favor of back side.

#2: Hands move back a little with stride, head stays still.

#3: Hands straight to ball, ball to left-center. Also, head over the knee and eyes on the ball.

#4: Extension through ball. Power Triangle.

#5: Long back swing & still firm front side.

#6: Completed back swing and ready to run.

#1 & #2: Look at the consistency in his lower half, even though the ball is at two different heights.

#3 & #4: Notice how he stays inside the baseball on #3 and lets the ball get deep to hit it to Left Field. The only adjustment he makes to pull the ball is hitting the ball out in front of the plate.

Notice: Keep your head over your back knee to remain balanced and your eyes on the ball

Even though Ichiro isn’t a power guy, notice the similarities with Ichiro and Pujols in picture #3. He still hits off a firm front leg and has a “Power L” although it is less distinctive.

In the bottom picture, notice how through his swing his head remains on the same plane. This allows for better vision of the ball.

Ichiro has a high leg kick (#1) but he still is in the same position to hit as others are before the ball is to the plate (#2).

Notice here that his head maintains placement on the shoulder in #1 & #2. This provides stability and easier vision of the ball. Also note: in #2, hands go back slightly as his left leg goes forward

Notice the approach to the ball in #1 & #2. Short to ball with solid contact in #3. and the extension in #5. Look how in #4 his head is down with the “Power L” on the backside.

#6: Long Follow Through. Admire the work that you have done.

Starts high and unorthodoxed: finishes in a great position (#5) to hit the ball hard and far. Has a firm front side, Power L, Power Triangle, and great extension.

Swinging a bat is much like swinging an axe. In #1 check out his firm front leg and his “Power L.” #2 you can see the developing “Power L” and the split second before extension and the Power Triangle.

#1: Everyone should be in this position, ready for the ball with the angle already set

#2: Straighter back, leg to the ground, level bat

Or

#3 & #4: Eye level with the bat and squat down

1) READY EARLY

2) SET THE ANGLE

3) LEVEL BAT

4) GET IT DOWN

5) NEVER DROP BAT HEAD

1. Recognize it will hit you

2. Roll shoulder into the ball

3. Take it in the meat of the body