tips from you coaches...bat size and hitting through

[mac43rn]

I am going to post some videos of my son swinging the bat (actually there will be three videos). He is 7 years old and he is on the young side of seven as he just reached it. He is a little guy 4'1" and 48 lbs. Yes we feed him and feed him well, we just can't but any meat on his bones.

Anyhow, we started this season and I was really not expecting much. He watched a lot of different baseball videos, games, etc all winter long. This was his first year of using a hard ball and facing a machine throwing 42 mph. He improved at the plate, but his defense has improved greatly. So much, that he was selected to play on the 7U All-Star team.

He is batting 5th or 6th on his team and got a couple hits the night before last. Both hits were one hoping ground balls between the 1st and 2nd basemen . He just cannot turn on a ball and really drive it. I know, I know he is a little guy, but he has to be doing something wrong that a majority of his balls are hit to the right side.

I really think he needs to work on driving through the ball. If you watch the video where makes contact, notice the quick direction change of his bat. Is this a concern? Any particular drills on can use to get him out of this "habit"?

He is a fast little guy, so that helps with his ground balls that get caught on the right side. He still gets on base quite a bit just due to his speed. I am open to any advice, because I really do not know much about hitting. I was a pitcher in college and didn't have to worry about hitting. I don't want to give him any advice that I am not 100% sure is accurate.

He uses a 28" -13 Easton Reflex bat. Sometimes I wander if he is swinging late or if his hips and shoulders are just too far open?

Here are the links. I am open to any suggestions. Thanks in advance for you help.

http://gallery.me.com/brianmcatee#100541
http://gallery.me.com/brianmcatee#100535
http://gallery.me.com/brianmcatee#100544

Please take a look at the three videos and let me know if you see anything. I know he is 7 but he loves the game. Will watch baseball wearing his glove. If we are not playing baseball we are watching it.

Anyhow, on the way home this evening he asked my why he couldn't hit balls hard to the left side? I just told him it would come with time, but I could tell he was getting frustrated.

Thanks,
mac

[g-mc]

IMO, I think he looks pretty good for seven. If I were to do anything, I might get rid of his stride and have simply lift his front heel until the ball is released and drop it as he starts his swing. It would keep his head (eyes) from bobbing up and down.
All in all, you have to remember that's he's still only seven. As long as he is having fun, any changes I would make would be minimal.

[dmac]

I'd wait until the season is over to make any changes, but I do agree on the stride. I'd widen his stance out and have him take a very small stride. As far as him not driving through the ball, I think it is more of a strength/physics issue and nothing that I would be worried about.

[tom2p]

I would like to be the first to offer my services as an agent ... lol ...
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He looks good in the two videos (when batting) - but not-so-good in the first video with the practice swing .... head moving all over the place ..... bat flopping ... ouch ! But perhaps the swing (in first video) is not a true representation of his stance/mechanics/swing.
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The bat may be a tad too big/heavy - and/or he may be rolling his wrists. Also check the grip - his grip might need some tweaking. Very difficult to evaluate without actually being there in person. You may want to try a 27-14 or so.
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Good way to build and improve kids swing is with a T and soft toss. Also a great way to evaluate - the swing - and also the bat (length and size). If you don't already have a T and a pop-up net (or equivalent), I recommend both (highly).
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btw - nothing (too) wrong with hitting to the opposite field .... better than trying to pull everything - and then stepping out and/or taking head off ball .... (went through that earlier this season !) ...... (and he may be off the plate and therfore hitting outside pitch - that should go to opposite field) ....
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Good Luck !
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[dolphindan1]

He looks good to me...He swings hard and he makes contact hard...He did roll his wrist in the 2nd video but he is seven...The hit to right field who cares...he is 7 and hit the ball to the outfield...the way he swings the bat doesnt seem heavy....He did hit the 1st one to 3rd base side...so he can turn on it...I wouldnt play around with him too much...too much coaching at 7 will make it unfun...

He sure is fast...he would lead off for me..

[mac43rn]

The bottom line is...he is having a blast. Actually, our entire family is having a blast just going to the games. It reminds me of playing baseball when I was growing up.

He does swing hard...well as hard as he can and that is all I ever ask of him. I tell him before every game to play his best, play your hardest and you will do fine. If he makes a mistake (makes a bad throw, bobbles a ball) I am fine with that and I never bring it up. However, I don't let the mental errors go without discussing them. Knowing where you are going with the ball if hit to him is a big deal. Mental prep is vital and I believe this carries well into and past little league baseball.

The questions I ask are truly for my benefit. I was raised playing baseball with the keep your elbow up, swing like you are chopping wood, take a long stride...it is a wander I ever hit the ball.

We played this evening, and he got on base every time. His speed is a huge advantage at this level.

thanks so much for the information provided

[mac43rn]

Dolphin

I notice you state that he did roll his wrists. I take it that is not a good thing? I was always taught to throw my hands at the ball and roll that wrist over.

Can anyone recommend a pop-up net?

thanks again,

mac

[tom2p]

Easton Pop Up net is avail at a few places - including DirectSports.com. $100. Great investment.
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My kids will often hit off the T and soft toss into the net 2 or 3 times per week. Great way to build and evaluate/improve the swing. I often pitch to them after this also.
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One good thing about the drills using the net is that you are kneeling/standing next to them - much easier to observe/evaluate/tweak/etc. - much better than when you are pitching to them (too far away and therefore difficult to evalute). But you also should include pitching (if/when you can).
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The drills are where you do your coaching, pay attention to detail, etc. Once the kids get on the field it is all about being positive, building and maintaining confidence, etc. Unless kid is doing something drastically wrong, I will rarely correct on the field.
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[dmac]

On the wrist rolling, you want to roll the wrists well after contact. At contact you want them to have top hand down/bottom hand up, then have them torque the bat with the bottom hand pulling and the top hand pushing. After this the wrists roll naturally. You really don't want to throw your hands at the ball, which is what a lot of us were taught as kids. If you are not familiar with www.batspeed.com, it is a great site that teaches rotational hitting which is the technique that almost all major leaguers use.

Since you took the time to post the videos I spent some time going frame by frame to analyze his swing. Try and get him to hit the ball out in front of him. He has quick hands he is just waiting too long to pull the trigger. In one swing the ball is almost by him when he swings. That will cure a lot of his hitting to the right side. Also, try and get him to use his hips more in his swing. In video 2 his back hip never moves and his power is only coming from his arms. At that age it is really hard to get them to grasp these concepts. I'd work on one thing at a time, be patient, and make sure they are having fun. Feel free to post more videos and good luck.

[mac43rn]

thanks for the posting and all the great information. This is fairly new to me (batspeed.com) and will save it to my favorites.

I noticed that too (he is just starting his swing late). I was looking at some video from the regular season and there are times when you hear the jugs machine shooting the ball to home plate and he has not made a move.

Any tips to get him started earlier. Simple swing thought?? Sorry for the basic questions, but I really don't want to be the parent that gives him bad advice that turns into a bad habit. I agree, his hands are quick, however that quickness is only allowing him to catch up to the ball just in time to put the ball in play (mainly to the right side).

I have posted another video. This video is perpendicular to the pitching machine so you get a nice side view.

http://gallery.me.com/brianmcatee#100566

Anyhow, they won again this evening in a dramatic come from behind win. It was really fun. Play again tomorrow afternoon for the championship.

Thanks again for all your information, it is greatly appreciated.

[mac43rn]

Would this jugs net do the job? I want the net to be easy assembly and take down. Easy storage. Also something I and throw in the back of the van to bring to the field.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001CF4Z26/ref=s9_simz_gw_s0_p200_i2?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-4&pf_rd_r=0WD4R55KN090M8T8CYAZ&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=470939031&pf_rd_i=507846


Here are a view of the easton nets. Not great reviews, but I don't take reviews too seriously unless they have over 50 reviews.

http://www.amazon.com/Easton-7-Foot-Pop-Up-Catch-Net/dp/B000F3E5PI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=sporting-goods&qid=1246171072&sr=8-1

Was this the easton net you were referring to?

Thanks again for all your help. I am learning a lot from this site.

[mac43rn]

the whole stride thing has been an issue. When he first started t-ball (when he just turned 4) he looked like Jose Cruz (Houston Astros back in the 1980's). Then the big step turned intoa very long stride with no consistency.

There is a local batting cage and instructor in our area. We went to the cages several times this season and the instructor stopped him and had him work on strictly squishing the bug with his back foot and essentially doing nothing with left foot (rotational) That approach worked great and he hit the ball better then any other time during the season. Had a very strong last 1/4 of the season.

Well, another coach in our league has told him that approach is wrong and he needs to be stepping into the ball (seems like linear teaching)

After tomorrows game we have a week off (no games until after July 4th). I will probably get him a lesson with the instructor at our local cage again to see if we can get his step shorter. It seems like when he takes a large step his back shoulder drops and he gets more of an "upper cut"

Thanks again

[tom2p]

Unfortunately, not familiar with the Jugs net.
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I am familar with the Easton 7 ft pop up net - have used this net for approx 5 yrs. Well worth the $100. Easy to store and transport - as it occupies a relatively small space - basically a thin 3 ft circle. Easy to set up and dismantle - after you become familiar with the procedure. I can set up/dismantle in a few minutes. The net is not perfect - wind can be an issue as it will blow over if/when placed with wind blowing to the 'back side'. (I turn it around and continue).. Again - not perfect - but well worth the $100.
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Kid needz lotz of reps to become an accomplished batter. Lotz of swings. T and soft toss are ideal. A net helps to achieve this.
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[tom2p]

Kid looks very good in the latest (4th video).
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btw .... 7 yr old kid ..... 42 mph pitches ? ..... no wonder swing may be a tad late ....
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has anyone put a radar gun on an 8 yr old pitcher ? Very few approaching 42 mph.
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[tom2p]

Long stride can be an issue - especially with the little guys. And can especially be an issue if it leads to 'back side collapse' - back knee down/in - and then back shoulder dips - and then kid (too often) gets under ball.
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A little step into/toward the ball is not bad. Some frown at this. But too much weight on the back foot/side too often results in poor plate coverage - inability to hit marginal pitches (with consistency and authority) - etc.
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Must remember no two batters are the same - so it can take some time to find the ideal form/mechanics/etc. I am often reminded of this when I watch some MLB players at the plate ..... would you teach a kid to emulate the stance of Youklis (Red Sox) ? (Ouch !).
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[KevinOK]

Yeah 42mph is mighty fast even for 9-10 year olds. Most >10 year old kids who throw that hard have control issues.

[dmac]

Juggs machines are notorious for being way off on the mph after they have been used for a little while. We play on 37 mph but it is closer to 30-32 mph. On the videos you can see the ball dropping into the zone. I've seen a lot of travel tournaments where the speed is set by radar, not the Juggs dial, and there is zero drop on the ball. Many times the dial is set to 50 mph+ to get it to actually hit 42.

[mac43rn]

the pitching machine is 42 feet from plate.

The machine is set to 39 mph (the dial). This obviously does not mean that is accurate, only where the machine is set.

tom2p - thanks for the review of the 7 foot Easton pop up net. I ordered one via Amazon.com with free shipping. It should arrive on Wednesday.

[tjhcky]

he swings very hard for his age probably a little too hard it may be pulling him off the ball making him hit the ball off the end of the bat and not the sweetspot

[g-mc]

The stride looked much smaller in the last clip you posted and overall looked really good for his age. He has a bit of bat drag, but you're going to see that...he's only seven.
As for squishing the bug...this is an effect of a good swing, not the cause. At contact, his weight should be shifting off of the back foot instead of spinning on it. Just my .02.
Rather than taking my advice, I think you're on the right track with the batspeed website. There is an unlimited amount of great information on that site.

Like someone else said earlier, wait until after the season before you change anything too drastically. ...and don't forget to take into account for his age. The drills have to be fun.

[dmac]

g-mc - That is great advice on the squishing of the bug being the effect not the cause of a good swing. Most youth coaches do not understand that.

mac43- I think you are on the right track on your approach with your child. Become as knowledgeable as possible and teach your kid the right way to do things and keep it fun. Find a good coach that you believe in and one that keeps it fun for your kid and stick with him. It maybe the batting cage instructor you mentioned. I've been sending my son to lessons from a local high school coach that has a son a year older than mine. He teaches based off the LSU philosophy of hitting and I learn a lot and my kid has a blast because the coach is good with young kids.