http://hsbaseballweb.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/8686003481/...831095541#9831095541Merry Christmas Eve and Happy Holidays to all the baseball families here. I just wanted to do a hitting thread on some less controversial, non-swing mechanic oriented things that I have found help hitters on the 60/90’ diamond.
If you have a youth hitter, please take the 90% you agree with, put them into your own words and begin to work them in. I believe that these will compliment their swing mechanics (or new terminology of old swing mechanics) used by your favorite Guru.
DUGOUT AND ON-DECK HITTERS' SKILLS
Dugout and on deck batter’s duties are offensive, mental skills (or intangibles) that are very important if a hitter is going to reach his total hitting potential. At the high school level and beyond the competition becomes fierce. Hitters that once enjoyed a size and strength advantage, due to a fall birthday, usually lose it during post puberty years of the 9th-11th grade. At this time, the smart (coachable) hitter can often outperform a more physically gifted, but less attentive hitter. We believe that coaches and parents should begin teaching the “intangibles” at age 9-10 or beginning in the first year of kids pitch baseball.
The dugout and on deck circles are places to relax but NOT LOSE GAME FOCUS. It’s not a time for them to have mom bring them a Gatorade. It’s not a time to socialize with friends and family outside of the fence either. It’s not just a time to get loose or rehearse mechanical A to B to C movements either. It’s a time to learn and gain an edge (increase their odds of being successful later in the game), by studying the umpire, pitcher and the opposing defense.
Learn the umpire’s strike zone during the first inning.
Does he consistently call a high or low strike zone?
Does he give pitches that are one ball in and two to three out?
Does he give the call if the pitcher hits the mitt?
Learn the pitcher’s tendencies.
Does he throw a 2 seam or 4 seam fast ball?
Does he start everyone off with a fastball?
Does he try to strike everyone out?
Can he throw his off speed pitches for strikes?
Does he throw the bottom of the order all fastballs?
Does he alter his delivery when he throws off speed pitches?
Can he throw off speed pitches during fastball counts?
What are his “out pitches”? (pitches during 0-2 counts)-high heat, curve in the dirt, fast ball on the hands, fast ball 6 inches out side?
Does he have a very low ¾ arm slot?
Does he ever use a submarine delivery?
After a real wild off speed pitch, is he embarrassed and prone to come back with a fastball?
Does he throw more fastballs when the base runners on base are a serious threat to steal?
Learn the pitcher’s tendencies with runners on base.
How many looks does he give to a runner at 1b, 2b,
Does he go to the stretch with a runner at 3b?
How many pick off moves does he have to each base?
Does he have 1st and 3rd skills?
How many times in a row will he throw over?
Does he slide or quickstep to the plate?
Do they have a “pitch out” play?
Do he and the catcher change signs when a runner reaches 2b?
Does the pitcher field his position well?
Is he athletic?
Can he field bunts quickly?
Does he back up 3b/home on balls hit to the outfield?
Can he cover home on a passed ball?
How far is the backstop and is it chain length or brick?
Defense
Does the infield shift according to the pitch that is being called?
Does the outfield do the same?
Does the 3b set up differently on every pitch?
Do the infielders move when you show bunt early?
On deck duties:
Coach the 2b runner to slide or stand up at home.
Is there a running lane to 1st?
Learn the slope of the infield. If it’s a downhill grade from 3b to home, it will be harder to steal 2nd base that day (uphill).
"In the hole" batter chases passed and fouled balls off the screen with no one on base (excellent sportsmanship).
Merry Christmas Eve,
THop
