Real Players Hit With Wood
Let me say this up front… I do not like aluminum bats . . . but
I’ll win with them. Practice with wood . . . and you’ll win with
aluminum.
It’s really very simple. An aluminum bat swing can be
mechanically flawed but still get results. Inflated averages &
power numbers abound with huge aluminum sweet spots &
tricked-out metal alloys!
But eventually bigger fields and better pitching eliminates many
aluminum bat hitters well before High School . . . and it
doesn’t have to be!
Allow me to explain . . . Much of the physical side of the game
is about: BATSPEED HANDSPEED FOOTSPEED
Much of hitting is about: TIMING & BALANCE (Strength helps too)
Wood Bats feel head-heavy, with much smaller sweet spots so any
imperfections in a swing are magnified. (Are you getting the
picture?)
Training with wood forces the player to become mechanically
precise & builds bat speed and strength. Additionally, wood
trains hitters to really learn the strike zone and not swing at
bad pitches (ever hit one off the end or the handle? . . . it
hurts… and many times it breaks!)
To successfully swing with wood…
Trigger the hands earlier into the load position Keep your hands
inside the ball (meaning hands closer to the body throughout the
swing to make for a quick rotation to the ball) Stick with it
until your muscle memory acclimates to this new weapon. #1
Defined Dead Hands Kill Players! The first thing a hitter must
do is take away the pitcher's fastball. In general, that is a
pitcher's best pitch. From Clemens, Johnson, Martinez & Maddux,
to the baddest pitcher in your league. Spot the fastball and you
are a real pitcher. Ok, hitter what are you going to do about
it? You’re going to crush it… that’s what!
Hands Start The Swing! Start your swing with your hands (it’s
your timing mechanism). . . and you can time a jet or a
fastball! Call it a trigger, load or hitch, it’s all the same.
Just get some movement from your hands starting when the pitcher
separates his hands from his glove with a movement toward the
back shoulder.
#2 Defined Keep Your Hands Inside The Ball…What? Keep your hands
4-6 inches from your body throughout the swing. Think about
hitting the inside half of the baseball (the half that’s closest
to you). This will train you to have a shorter, quicker stroke
and will help keep balls straight and not allow them to hook
foul…see Barry Bonds!
#3 Defined Use your wood bat instead of your game aluminum for
tee work, soft toss, in a cage & when hitting live pitching &
you’ll get the results you’re looking for!
NOTES: Wood Increases Bat Speed! Bat Speed Equals Power!
In summary, any player or team that trains with wood will hit
the ball harder, plus increase contact and power over all who
don’t. Ask any hitting coach.
Coaching Hint Kids, like adults, do not necessarily care for
change. Get creative, make it cool like real ballplayers and
they may accept it easier. Use marker to put their number on the
knob. Tape the handle. Buy some stick-em. Have them use a
permanent marker and put their "Signature on the business end."
The Rules Since January 1, 2001, high school players nationwide
must use bats that weigh no less than 3 oz. of their length
(meaning a 33" bat can't weigh less than 30 oz.). The barrel
diameters have shrunk from 2-3/4" to 2-5/8" and the exit
velocities were changed so that batted balls don’t "jump" off
the bat as quickly. In other words, these bats more resemble the
performance of wood.
Younger players take note! The college bat rules have changed,
the high schools have changed, and the changes may not be
finished. So, train with wood and you will win with aluminum.
Where To Buy Wood Bats Need ‘em cheap? - Try a Kmart or Walmart
for around $25.00.
Need ‘em great? - We carry Brett Bats (yes, that Brett family)
Check ‘em out.
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