FORT HUNT LITTLE LEAGUE 15 Feb 2014
Hitting Tips #1
Hello Fort Hunt Baseball community!
To help prepare your sons and daughters for the upcoming spring season, FHLL will be sending out weekly batting tips providedby Chuck Hoyle of Hoyle Hitting LLC Chuck has taught hitting since 1994 to Northern Virginia players, including many from FHLL, has written articles on hitting mechanics and has coached Little League through High School baseball.
Don’t forget, assessments for players age 7 (who want to be considered for coach pitch AA ball) through age 12 will take place this Sunday, 16 February from 8:00 to noon at West Potomac High School gym (enter door #13). A make-up session is scheduled for Sunday, 23 Februaryfrom 8:00 to noon at the same location.
Understanding the Timing of the Kick Stride
Two words are very important in doing kick strides: slow and early.
The negative move must be done slowly to avoid going forward.
The kick must be started early so the negative move occurs at the time the pitcher’s front foot lands. The pause in the kick is the time it takes the pitcher to get to release. The positive move in the kick occurs as the pitch is released.
Common problems with kick stride: the negative move is late, has no pause, or the feet are too fast. Young coaches often blame the kick for a player’s failure, because they do not understand the movement. It is not a fad, but rather, a powerful movement in a hitter’s swing. It adds power and precise timing. Today’s best hitters use kick strides. And after all, pitchers have been using kick strides for years. Try pitching without a kick stride and see what happens to your ball speed.
Understanding Wrist Roll
Why is wrist roll a problem? It slows the swing and takes the bat off plane in an upward direction, resulting in groundballs, often to the pull side of the field. Wrist roll and rising back shoulders through contact are common hitting flaws.
What is the cause? One of the causes of wrist roll is “shoulder stop” where the upper body does not complete the rotation. Head position also limits upper body rotation. Players who are told to get their head down to watch the ball hit the bat, lock their upper body and are unable to finish their swing. Players should track the ball with their eyes, never with their head. The head should remain still after heel plant.
Drills to correct wrist roll:
- Top hand release extension drills to third base
- Position three drills with Frisbees
- Position three drills into the bag
- Position three drills with the tee
Top hand rolling over at extensionTop hand under the bat at extension
Top hand under the bat at extension
Roger Maris avoids wrist roll with a full upper body rotation.
See FHLL’s Facebook page for Hitting Tip videos.
Contact us at hould you have any questions regarding player assessments or any other issues related to the upcoming spring baseball season. We can’t wait for the season to start!
We’ll see you at the assessments tomorrow!
Barry
Barry M. Meuse President, Ft. Hunt Little League Baseball