Which swing would YOU like to have? We're not in Kansas anymore:
We offer modern strategies for success in a totally-changed hitting
environment!
 |  | | High School Hitter | Alfonso Soriano (Chicago Cubs) | | | |  |  | | High School FP Player | College Fastpitch Hitter | | | |  | | | |
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Albert Pujols | | | | Pictured
(above left) is a Dominican youngster scanned from Parade Magazine (7/22/07). Notice the perfect arm relationship
(back elbow down and front elbow up) and the correct slotting of the rear elbow
(tight against the hitter's body). Where did he learn this? I sincerely doubt he learned this through instruction. He most likely learned it from watching the major league hitters from his country. Why don't we do this?
When looking at Albert Pujols, we see the same arm/elbow relationships.
Our Dominican youngster isn't "perfect" - but is presented here to
illustrate that he's well on his way to becoming a good hitter. When we
look at youngsters from the USA, we normally won't see this: we see them
squishing the bug, hands to the ball, and lead elbow down.
Too often we analyze one swing of a hitter. Hitters are continually
making adjusts to the pitch, and therefore location, pitch velocity, and
count (2-0? or 0-2?) come into play. Because of these variables, swing
planes, weight transfer, et al, come into play and the swings may not
look exactly alike on each swing. It is why I say that "the perfect
swing is the adjustment you make to the pitch you get."
Make no mistake here: emulation has always been hitting's greatest teacher. However, not every hitter can effectively emulate
technique. Often it's a hitter's "style" that is emulated instead. For the many
that are challenged by emulating the hitter's "technique" - not the
"style" - good instruction is the only remedy; they must be put into the proper positions. If we taught hitters what we continually see good hitters doing, we would have significantly more hitters in this country having success - and fewer quitting early and taking up soccer.
Hitting is the toughest thing to do in ALL sports. Learning correct hitting movements early lays the framework for future success! |
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