I coach middle school baseball in Georgia. (Been offered to move up to high school but with a 3 year old and a 9 month old at home daddy time is more important to me). Anyway, we teach our kids here hands through the zone (keeping it as little technical as possible) so that the ball is hit either up the middle or the other way. Any pitch can be hit with swing whether high or low inside and out. Literally it worked for guys like Ted Williams and Tony Gwynn so it should work for others too. We have kids here that from 6th grade hear to the 8th grade year have an increase in batting average of up to 400 points. Once they get bigger and stronger and can swing the 'heavier' bats they begin to excel. This philosohy should be taught at every hitting camp their is. As it is at most anyway. Hitting is not as complicated as we want to make it, but not as simple as it could be. There are factors such as pitching velocities, locations, pitch types, pitchers with better deception, etc. While all these are factors, there is 1 basic swing that can cure the evils of it all. From there it is tweaked based on the variable.
Samford observations ?
- Thread starter heathco9
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I coach middle school baseball in Georgia. (Been offered to move up to high school but with a 3 year old and a 9 month old at home daddy time is more important to me). Anyway, we teach our kids here hands through the zone (keeping it as little technical as possible) so that the ball is hit either up the middle or the other way. Any pitch can be hit with swing whether high or low inside and out. Literally it worked for guys like Ted Williams and Tony Gwynn so it should work for others too. We have kids here that from 6th grade hear to the 8th grade year have an increase in batting average of up to 400 points. Once they get bigger and stronger and can swing the 'heavier' bats they begin to excel. This philosohy should be taught at every hitting camp their is. As it is at most anyway. Hitting is not as complicated as we want to make it, but not as simple as it could be. There are factors such as pitching velocities, locations, pitch types, pitchers with better deception, etc. While all these are factors, there is 1 basic swing that can cure the evils of it all. From there it is tweaked based on the variable.
I'm no certified coach...just a glorified dad that helps coach his 11 and 14 year olds...but, that is exactly what we've been coaching here since my oldest was 9. Homers are an accident. Our thoughts when at the plate are "take it back where it came from". Lots of "long T" in the cage (working on hitting liners into back of the cage), hands inside the ball...think away. The bat rules have changed the game all the way down to 8 and 9u travel level.
I certainly think they've upped the talent level. No longer are we starting walk-ons from Tuscaloosa that couldn't even start for their own junior colleges. I'm trying to remain optimistic and just hoping that as the weather heats up, the bats will heat up. I don't believe Andy Phillips is a good hitting coach, because no one has improved under him. I'm not sure Dax is a good pitching coach (though I thought he was a good hitters/catchers coach), and Mitch's game management tactics - well, ok, the first-inning bunts - leave a lot to be desired. A buddy of mine pitched here some 10 or so years ago, and he pitched a good bit. He loves Gaspard, but hates first-inning bunts.
But, we're winning. Take 2 out of 3 against Tulane and Louisville, hope to get Wass back in the lineup and hope that he turns into a power threat, and guys like Moore will get some better pitches to hit. If he's Brad Van Winkle part II, then we'll struggle.
But, we're winning. Take 2 out of 3 against Tulane and Louisville, hope to get Wass back in the lineup and hope that he turns into a power threat, and guys like Moore will get some better pitches to hit. If he's Brad Van Winkle part II, then we'll struggle.
Could you move over here to South Ga, we need some help, hitting seems to be an enigma in these parts....granted it is like everything else, it takes effort and persistence. Something many kids don't have a lot of anymore!
Guys need to remember the basics. One of our best power hitters recently was Kent Matthes. He had a very solid approach at the plate. When he was ahead in the count, he would try to pull the ball, but when he fell behind, you could watch him spread out his feet in the box, and cut down on his swing. Even when he was protecting the plate, and just trying to pull the ball in play, he would often hit a home run. Players need to learn the simple lesson, if you have the power, you don't have to try to destroy the ball on every pitch. Just hit the ball where it is pitched, and see if it falls.
I agree we need 2-3 from Tulane and Louisville. We should get 2-3 from Tulane they are down this year but Louisville we might can win 1 very well coached with good talent. As for Wass he will not help I have watched him spring and in the fall he can't hit at this level yet he needs a year to develop very undiscipline at the plate. As average as Booth is he is the best defensive catcher Wass had pass ball after passed ball in the fall.Teams that will give us trouble will be teams that there pitchers don't walk our batters and make us earn it. We have really gained by the walks sooner are later that will stop with better pitching from teams such as Louisville ,auburn, and SEC teams .
Boy I sure am glad the tide is 7-1. I naturally disagree - I believe the kid can hit. I too watched him and when he is not swinging for the parking lot he is a pretty good hitter. His defense got better but I agree it needs more work. Right now we need more average players that are currently hitting .370 with an bop over .500. But I'll give big Jim credit he didn't fire nobody he just run the bus over a boy on crutches. Rtr
This thread typifies what is wrong with baseball, at all levels. Once a hitter figures out he can handle the pitching, at the level they are playing at, they come back the next season with a "I'm gonna put me up some big numbers" attitude. Their BA falls, and the Ks go up.
Also why I could never be a coach, at any level. A lot of studs would be picking splinters, out of their butt, while the scrubs would be getting their chance to show they know how to play with heart.
Also why I could never be a coach, at any level. A lot of studs would be picking splinters, out of their butt, while the scrubs would be getting their chance to show they know how to play with heart.
Pardon the o/t rant, but...............
If there is one more instance, of someone batting out of order, I'm gonna fire up the Cuda, drive the 600 miles to T-town, and start looking to kick the butt of someone twice my size.
There is no excuse for that. Ever. Better not be any more of that, at The Joe.
If there is one more instance, of someone batting out of order, I'm gonna fire up the Cuda, drive the 600 miles to T-town, and start looking to kick the butt of someone twice my size.
There is no excuse for that. Ever. Better not be any more of that, at The Joe.
Just the other day, you wrote:
"i keep hearing this over and over - when wass comes back. what happens if his leg don't heal or he comes back with a sub-par year."
Are you the poster formerly known as Rolltide 15 on here?
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