Expert: John Priest - 3/30/2008

Question
My grandson is in coach pitch this year and in pitching to him I find that he is behind the pitch at just about any speed.My question is how can I help him get in front of the pitch the best way.I have thrown under hand over hand etc,still he is behind the ball most of the time.Thank you for any help,Duane Anderson


Answer
Duane,
         Being behind the pitch is one aspect of hitting that all great hitters have.  Being too behind the pitch or not being able to catch up to the pitch is not good.  If your grandson is missing because of being late there are a couple of things that can be done.  First, watch his routine at the plate.  A routine is what he does before the pitcher initiates his motion.  What does your grandson do to get ready and/or does he get ready?  Make sure the stance and positioning is correct.  Also, make sure that he is prepared to hit.  He should have some movement or rhythm while he is in his stance.  To much movement or rhythm can put him out of position.  Another part of the stance to check is the feet.  Everything starts with the feet and without a good base everything after will fall out of place.  Make sure the balance starts 50/50 and the weight on the balls of the feet.  This should feel like someone is sliding a piece of paper under your heels.  This weight on the balls of the feet will make you ready, quicker, and able to attach the baseball.  
         The best three drills is "T" work, soft toss, and live.  Soft toss is where your grandson can focus on fundamentals, form, and contact zones.  Soft toss will do the same while the live pitching will bring everything together with the timing.  Work him up to game speed.  
         One thing that most coaches make a mistake with is to instruct their hitters to hit the baseball to their pull side.  If a hitter is trained to hit pull side then the hitter will use left field when on time (I will assume he is a righty), center field when he is late, and will hit the ball foul when he is early.  If the same hitter is trained to let the ball get "deep" he will hit the ball center is on time, right side if late, and left side if early.  Now the hitter will be using the entire field to hit the baseball and has more room for error.  Also being out in front usually makes the hitter roll the wrists and pull away from the baseball.  Letting the ball get deep into the contact zone will cause the hitter to stay strong throughout the contact.  
         Another benefit to hitting the baseball to the right side (assuming he is a right handed hitter) is more extra base hits.  It is easier to make singles to doubles when hitting the baseball to the right rather than the left.  Also, more RBI's and advancing the runners will happen when hitting behind then that in front of them.  Also you will see the baseball longer and be able to make better swing decisions.  
         What makes this skill hard is the hitter needs great balance, confidence, and trust.  This will come with practice and repetition.  Your grandson is on the right track just get him to prepare and be ready earlier.  Explain to him what he needs to do and that being behind that baseball is something good.  If he can understand the art of hitting to the opposite side and see the benefits he will be when ahead of any hitter his age.  
       Please let me know if I can help you any further or explain anything in more detail.  

Thank You,
John Priest
Nokona Batman