Looks like your front foot is landing in an open position . Keep it closed longer to keep energy between your legs and not being spent too soon . I would also try to generate more momentum from back to front . Work on loading the back hip . JMO
Posts: 124 | Location: United States | Registered: October 28, 2008
I would post a game swing or at the very least a batting practice swing. In my experience side toss swings typically don't paint an accurate picture of a players true swing.
Posts: 1019 | Location: Minnesota | Registered: June 13, 2003
Well I'm no expert and I'm not sure if I'm correct but I know when I used to swing with my top hand coming off at the end it meant I was stopping at contact and so it is almost as if you start the swing and you're trying to stop it which lessens bat velocity at the point of impact, don't take my advice unless someone else confirms it though, you guys are all free to correct me.
Extreme uppercut stroke...hurts weight shift and power, lessens the time the barrel stays on plane in the hitting zone. High tee would correct the problem...Place ball on tee at peck level, force yourself to hit ball off back of net. If ball hits top of net, you're collapsing backside (uppercut).
I agree that it is an extreme uppercut. I would say most balls you hit would have been fly balls. If you are hitting the top of the net on the sock something is wrong. Mechanically you have no weight transfer going into the ball. I was able to slow mo the video and because of your front foot opening your upper body is then leaning back. When you stride force yourself to land on the inside of that front foot and it will help you stay closed.
Posts: 282 | Location: So Cal | Registered: June 11, 2008
Your front foot is a problem. Needs to stay closed at contact. If you want to open or let it pop after contact that is fine and probably recommended as it is a little easier on the lead knee.
You lose power and get late batspeed popping early. It will take several months to develop the flexibility to pull that off. Take it slow with the change if you decide to close your front foot more. In dirt you can be a little more aggressive keeping it closed. The artificial turf can be a little harder on the lead knee.
Whoever was doing the soft toss needs to mix the location up some. They were a little too perfect hitting their spots and you need variety as a hitter.
Posts: 67 | Location: South | Registered: March 04, 2009
I agree with most of the comments so far, except I'm not sure about needing more separation from your body with your hands? (I don't see that,but I'm not sure exactly what he means, so I'll just tell you what I see?)
I would add that the uppercut and lack of weight shift is partly because of your left foot action. Not so much that it rotates upon hitting ground, but because it comes down too soon and doesn't give your hips a chance to come through properly.
Your lack of a proper load puts you out of balance to start with and you are leaning towards first base from the git-go which will cause you to have to rotate against your body,and use just your arms and hands, which will almost always produce an uppercut and/or or slow swing.
On some of the swings. I can see the top of your head at contact, which tells me that you are losing power and bat speed. If it was a golf swing, then obviously we would see the top of your head, hence the uppercut.
Try placing your front foot so that it's even with back foot. And then pick up left foot(how high is up to you?) so that there is a slight weight transfer to back side which will load the hips and then practice landing in balance.
Once you get that down, then drive with the back side while keeping right elbow tucked in against body and stop at contact point to be sure your right palm is up.
From there, concentrate on getting through,in balance, until bat comes all the way around.
It's really hard to properly describe all of these things in print, but I really think this will help.
Go online and look at swings from guys like Pujols and others.
You are a strong-looking young man, and I can definitely see some power potential with the right mechanics.
Good Luck!
Posts: 240 | Location: Missouri | Registered: August 21, 2008
Your front foot is a problem. Needs to stay closed at contact.
Why would you say this?
You might want to pull some still pictures of other good hitters instead of just pulling a single clip of Ted Williams at 30 degrees. How did Ted hit this particular pitch?
Posts: 67 | Location: South | Registered: March 04, 2009
His foot is closer to 50 degrees open in this clip than to 30 and was on most swings, if you don't believe me, buy the DVD, The Science of Hitting. You can get it at Rare Sports Films, it has dozens of swings by Mr. Williams.
Posts: 1061 | Location: mid west | Registered: January 23, 2008
Originally posted by powertoallfields: His foot is closer to 50 degrees open in this clip than to 30 and was on most swings, if you don't believe me, buy the DVD, The Science of Hitting. You can get it at Rare Sports Films, it has dozens of swings by Mr. Williams.
Whether it is 30 or 50 degrees doesn't matter. Few modern players hit this way. It worked for him and that is great but it seems to be the exception rather than the rule.
Posts: 67 | Location: South | Registered: March 04, 2009
Originally posted by powertoallfields: His foot is closer to 50 degrees open in this clip than to 30 and was on most swings, if you don't believe me, buy the DVD, The Science of Hitting. You can get it at Rare Sports Films, it has dozens of swings by Mr. Williams.
Whether it is 30 or 50 degrees doesn't matter. Few modern players hit this way. It worked for him and that is great but it seems to be the exception rather than the rule.
What are you looking at to determine if current hitters are not hitting like him? What is being taught is usually not close to what he does, but look at high level hitters. On MLB.com you can view game highlights... Check it out. Frame by frame if possible.
"Baseball is like church. Many attend, few understand." - Leo Durocher
Posts: 204 | Location: Northeast (facility in Nashua, NH) | Registered: June 17, 2009
Your front foot is fine being open. Most hitters front foot is 45 degrees or more. You need more separation, Your hands just go straight to the ball. As your front foot is touching the ground, your hands should be going back.
