Posted by: coach13 (halour@netscape.net) on Wed Apr 25 11:53:29 2007

> I need help! I have a player who has rotational mechanics. He is a dead-pull hitter. I haven't seen him hit a ball to the right side in two years. Small size, but can hit with power. He is 12, and has been playing organized ball for 7 years now. Great athlete, football, track, basketball, and a 2nd degree black belt. His problem is that he is so anxious, that he commits so early, and that his bat is through the hitting zone before the pitch is even close to him. Foul balls are down the third base line. I believe his load step is not as pronounced as it needs to be. Could that be the problem?


>
> Any drills out there to slow him down? He has struck out 6 out of 7 times this year, but crushes the ball with soft toss and live practice pitching. I know that it is mental, but can his mind be trained??

Hi Coach D

One drill that I have found to be effective with the problem of committing too soon. Set a cone in front and to the side of the batter about 5 to 10 feet depending on speed of pitch thrown. The batter cannot start the loading process until the ball reaches the cone. Have a look out person give him immidiate feed back whether he started his swing too soon. This teaches the batter that it is necessary to adjust the timing mechenisim depending on the pitcher that is faced.

Hope this helps
coach13