Expert: Dennis Girardi - 5/5/2008

Question
My son is 8 years old and he hits on his right side but he is swinging late on most of the pitches, what do you recommend I do to make him a better hitter.  As mentioned in the previous question, my son bats right handed.  Should I try to make my son a left handed hitter so he will have a better opportunity in the future.

Answer
Hey Dewayne,

NOT YET.. Get him squared away batting his natural way. You need to figure out which way that is.. Lefty would be great. He would have many more opportunities, but you can't make him feel natural that way.. After you figure that out, he needs to bat one way and only one way till at least high school.. Most coaches will discourage him from batting or attempting to bat both ways anyway.. He may have more power batting from the right, but make more contact from the left.  If he bats lefty and the contact is weak ground balls, then go to the power side.  If the contact is better contact, but hits the ball less, I would start there.. It's a decision that needs to be made..
Good Luck and let me know how it goes, please..
Dennis