Expert: John Priest - 4/13/2008

Question
JOHN,
  MY QUESTION IS THIS. MY SON ZACH IS NINE YEARS OLD AND PLAYING TOURNAMENT BASEBALL. WHEN ZACH IS BATTING, HIS TRIGGER TO LOAD IS WHEN THE PITCHER'S HANDS SEPARATE. IT SEEMS LIKE HE IS IN THE LOAD POSITION TO LONG AND POWER IS REDUCED. WHAT DO YOU SUGGEST.  THANKS FOR YOUR TIME.

Answer
John,
         Yes, you are correct.  His load is very early.  When a hitter creates his load or trigger too early he will have to have a second trigger.  When this happens the second trigger is either the hips (for a rotational hitter) or the hands(for a linear hitter).  This creates no room for error.  If the hips or hands are late it is often too late for good contact. In some cases a hitter may be too early because they are ready too early.
         I would suggest that keeping the step and load the same time.  The weight shift or load will happen as long as the step is good.  The step should take place when the pitchers front foot lands.  It is obvious that if the hitter is slow to start sooner and if the hitter is quick starting later.  Every hitter is different and each hitter needs to be able to find his timing.  Usually as long as the hitter steps by the time the pitcher releases the baseball he is in a good position.  
Let me know if I can help with anything else.
Thank You,
John Priest
Nokona Batman
www.nokonawreckingcrew.com