Archive for the ‘Baseball’ Category

One of the most common words used in hitting is the word “swing” as associated with a hitter as he “swings” at the ball.And although swing is not a “nasty” word, it does give the impression that the bat makes a long arc as it goes to the ball.

Visualize a bat swinging.The bat is moving and arcing as it comes to the ball for contact.  This is what most people visualize when they think about “swinging”.However, swinging is the wrong approach.There is virtually no chance to make maximum contact with the ball.

So, whether coaching youth baseball or older, here’s one of our baseball coaching tips:  A better idea to teach would be—no arcing or swinging the bat to make contact with the ball.Instead, DRIVE the baseball bat in a flat line to connect with the ball.

In simple words, we do not swing the bat to hit the baseball!You should send the bat in a direct line and DRIVE the baseball bat to connect with the ball.Contact first, the bat swings second!The baseball bat should never arc before contact, but should after.So if we take a little deeper look at this, using the pro-type action, the batter is actually ’stroking’ the ball, not swinging.

So how do you produce more contact and better distance? Send the bat in a straight line…we refer to this as the “pro-stroke”.

This is what we call the “PRO STROKE”  It is outlined in 8 Hitting steps, which we call The Super 8 Hitting System.The 8 steps are: Stance, Coil, Stride, Drive, Contact, Extend, Extend Again, and Finish.

Our site includes many baseball coaching tips, including full article overviews, video analysis, and baseball hitting videos, sure to increase bat speed and raise your batting average. 

 

 

This is one of many baseball hitting drills coaches teach —“Get the bat off your shoulder!”

               

It is a common phrase used by fans, coaches, parents, and players.

 

The question is “Why is that so bad?”

 

Here is what happens when a player moves his bat away from his body in his hitting stance.As the player does this, the player must separate his grip from their body.His grip will end up, more often than not, over the plate opon striking the ball.You’ll have no support and not be balanced.  

 

 

So why is that a problem?  Let’s look at it this way.When arm wrestling, should you keep your hands away from your body?Would you want to keep your hands by your body for support?

 

If you had to throw the best punch you could, would you hold your hands away from the body?Absolutely not.It would be smarter to have your hands in a fist in back of your head.

 

If you had to push an automobile, would you want your hands at your side, or would you want them in front of you?Your body allows for thrust to your hands.Of course, you want your grip in front.

 

Now, stand up like you’re at home plate with your bat out over the plate like it is in contact with the ball.Do you know what is behind your hands?  Nothing!What MLB players. 

 

You might say…”I’ve seen major leaguers start with their hands away from their bodies.Essentially, this will be good.”

 

And the answer to that is –“Major leaguers make an adjustment. It’s quick, but they will rapidly bring their hands close to their should area.  We usually don’t see this, because it happens so quickly.A lot of pros do this.

 

Therefore, let us be clear.You will always be in a better hitting position when you have your hands near your shoulders.Rotate your mid-section, and always keep your grip by your shoulder as you move to strike the ball. Now your hands are in FRONT as they enter the contact zone, NOT OVER THE PLATE.

 

So if you want to learn how to hit a baseball,  remember this rule:  The only time separation of the hands from the body occurs is when they move forward to hit the ball.

 

These techniques are fully explained in the “Super 8 Hitting System”, completely demonstrated in a series of baseball hitting videos, which includes many baseball hitting drills. 

 

HITTING TIPS:

Get the bat off the shoulder in the hitting stance?   No.

Connect with the baseball over home plate?    No.

The baseball player must be able to compete with faster pitching today.After coaching 1,000’s of baseball players, I can help you with this. All of the steps to hitting a baseball are the same for both softball and baseball. 

           

In today’s game it is absolutely essential that the good hitter is “short to the ball” with a good compact stroke.

 

 A major part of being the best hitter we can be is to be “tough to strike out.”  A good hitter should have no more than a 10% strike-out ratio.  The strike out gives us NO chance to help our team.Not making contact with the ball, it allows the defense to make an easy out. 

While no one has to be convinced that a strike out is not good, we cannot fear the strike out.  We must not let it affect our boldness when we come up to bat.You shouldn’t enjoy it, you should dislike it and avoid it like the plague, but never allow fear in yourself.Each time we come to the plate, we will be able to make contact.

 

So the first part of the process is TOTAL CONFIDENCE, to completely eliminate our fear of the strike out.

 

Part two is “How do we do this?

 

The Super 8 Hitting System gives us the softball hitting tips to practically eliminate striking out.It gives you all the secrets in baseball batting.Most call it the “drive” action.  It is short, direct, and will immediately improve contact.

 

By consistently practicing the “drive” action, the softball player can be assured that she can improve her ability to put the ball in play over 90% of the time.

 

To do this, the player gets into a “45º drive position”, which means that before we initiate the stroke, we rotate the hips half way to the pitcher.Right handed hitters, the bottom of the bat and your belly button are pointed where the 2nd baseman plays.  Then all the hitter needs to do is to snap the bat on the ball.

 

We fully explain the “drive action” in our system in a series of baseball hitting videos, which includes many softball hitting tips.

 

Cal Ripken, Jr. is certainly one of the most legendary baseball players. Cal Ripken was born on August 24 1960 in Havre de Grace, Maryland and was raised in Aberdeen, Maryland. Calvin Edwin Ripken Jr is the full name of Cal Ripken. His father was a coach for the Baltimore Orioles during the late 80s. He was not only Ripken’s mentor in baseball, but also in life. Cal Ripken, Jr and his former wife Kelly Geer were married and had a son and a daughter together.

During his time playing for Major League Baseball Ripken played both shortstop and third baseman. The time when he had his entire career was with Baltimore Orioles all the way from 1981 up to 2001.

In 2001, Cal Ripken Junior retired from the game after playing 21 seasons with the Baltimore Orioles. Having accomplished more than 400 home runs and 3000 hits, he was one of only 7 baseball players in history to have that amazing triumph. On September 6, 1995, the record was set in his name, for playing most games in a row during his game against the California Angels. Before Ripken the record for the most consecutive games was held for 56 years by Lou Gehring. Before he ended his streak in 1998, Ripken played 2,632 games in a row. Covering 16 seasons, his streak began on May 30, 1982 and ended September 20, 1998.

During his career Ripken was voted as the MLB All-Star player a total of 19 times. He was also the baseball’s all-time Iron Man because he played despite of his injuries. At 6′ 4″, he was believed to be one of the best shortstops in baseball.

During the year January 9, 2007, the first year of his eligibility, Ripken was chosen to the Baseball Hall of Fame. He always was one to emphasize that athletes could and should also be role models to their community. Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation was set up by him. He created the foundation in his father’s memory and as a means to support disadvantaged youth in Americas struggling communities. He believed in giving back to the community.

Items with Ripken’s autograph can turn a good profit. No wonder he is cautious whenever people ask for his autograph. The best place to find original Cal Ripken jerseys would probably be through Cal Ripken Jr. Autographed Jersey with 9 Inscriptions. Whether you are buying it for yourself as collectibles or for someone you loved, it is a great memorabilia to keep.