Expert: Pete Colombo - 5/8/2006

Question
Pete, my son plays on a 12U modified team. He is a right handed batter and has good swing mechanics but is a serious  pull hitter (pulling foul many times). We took a little thumb test and found out he is left eye nt. He is cosistenty way out in front. I been trying to move him around the batters box. Any suggestions?

Ed

Answer
I suggest tee work.  Move the tee to different areas of the strike zone.  Let him prove to himself that he can trust his hands and bat speed enough to allow the ball to enter the hitting zone before making contact.

I have no comment about a thumb test.

Take heart in the fact that you have several years before the pitching competition becomes savvy enough to learn how to bust your son inside.

You can also instruct him to take more inside pitches--the pitchers, for the most part, will be unable to take advantage of this even if they do notice.

Best of luck.

Pete