For a long time there was the belief that hitting was different in baseball and softball. This belief stemmed from the difference in reaction times, as well as the style of play each game clings to. I’ve generally known this to be untrue as many of the instructors and coaches that I follow in both games have had success bouncing between the two sports, but the last 4 months has been a great representation of the fact that hitting is hitting regardless of which game you are playing.
Where did we start?
My sister Chloe is a 2028 catcher who has spent a lot of time in the cage without a true hitting coach. As most young hitters who high effort level, much of the effort and intent came from the upper body, simply because that is what is attached to the bat. This led to a swing that had her weight overly shifted forward with a steep swing path causing a lot of ground balls and weak fly balls, because she was never behind the softball.
Summer Stats
31 PAs, 25 ABs, .200 AVG, .355 OBP, .635 OPS, 19% Line Drives, 33% Fly Balls, 48% Ground Balls
What did we do?
Since August Chloe and I have been working nearly weekly, when her flag football schedule allowed it. The focus of our work has been teaching her how to use the rotation of her hips to be the driver of her swing, which is the same focus I have with our baseball players at Campo Verde. Throughout this process the hands become a part of the swing to make adjustments, not the focus of the swing. When this is done properly we get a swing that is launched from a more balanced position and has increased bat speed with the same or less effort, all because the stronger parts of the body are the executors of the swing. Because Chloe now has the ability to rotate well, her ability to hit the ball in the air pull side has vastly improved, while also being able to do damage on the outside part of the plate.
Overall Fall Stats
41 PAs, 36 ABs, .444 AVG, .512 OBP, 1.040 OPS, 19% Line Drives, 41% Fly Balls, 40% Ground Balls
Since October 1st
35 PAs, 30 ABs, .533 AVG, .600 OBP, 1.244 OPS, 21% Line Drives, 38% Fly Balls, 41% Ground Balls
If this type of training is something your baseball player (11-14yrs old) or softball player (HS age) is interested in you can find more information and schedule a lesson at www.expectmorepd.com/lessons.