Hitting and Hitters Discussion College hitting camps

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I like what Sammy said about taking kids to camps that apply the hittng mechs we teach........ someone somewhere out there knows the college coaches that do teach it........ why not post who they are, it would probably be a boom to their camps and get a little more education to the people that want it..... just a thought

Tim

 

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"One final thought for demonstration put a piece of paper under their heels and have her bend at the waist and soften the knees a little and the paper should be able to be pulled out other wise they are on the heel verses the ball of the foot!"

Howard, thanks for the info. One question though. Candrea was at the Gillis Academy and he stated when in the initial position in the batters box and until you start to load the hitter should feel the ground with her entire foot. I have always taught bend @ the waist first then flex the knees so you are balanced and your core muscles load properly.
I will observe the feet like you recommend. I use the balance board only so they can feel the weight transfer. I picked this drill up from RVP. They use a dense foam board in their demo. so the weight stays inside the knee when loading.

 

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"One final thought for demonstration put a piece of paper under their heels and have her bend at the waist and soften the knees a little and the paper should be able to be pulled out other wise they are on the heel verses the ball of the foot!"

Howard, thanks for the info. One question though. Candrea was at the Gillis Academy and he stated when in the initial position in the batters box and until you start to load the hitter should feel the ground with her entire foot. I have always taught bend @ the waist first then flex the knees so you are balanced and your core muscles load properly.
I will observe the feet like you recommend. I use the balance board only so they can feel the weight transfer. I picked this drill up from RVP. They use a dense foam board in their demo. so the weight stays inside the knee when loading.

We stay in a ready position and just relax until the pitcher has their sign and is ready to actually pitch and then we set, bend at the waist and then soften the knees. Do not get ready too soon is the point. We do not use the balance beams period at our clinics. You will see hitters do drills for promotion of a product etc and usually get compensated for it...that is just an opinion.

Thanks Howard

 

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Universities are businesses. Bottom line is that the softball team (actually ALL the sports teams) has a mission to fulfill - which is to be an ambassador for the University; an advertising medium of sorts. With that in mind, what are these "camps" and "clinics" for? Well, they serve two purposes:

1) They bring in a little money for the softball program

2) They are recruiting grounds, like the Combines in football.

3) Most ARE NOT designed as a teaching venue

From the sound of posters that have attended many of the Ohio camps, they are NOT fertile learning environments! But the thought process from parents is generally the same: I'll take my DD to ______ university's hitting camp, and she'll come away with the knowledge to become an All American hitter in college! Sorry, but that's just not the way it works! It's more likely that if your DD shows up at one of these camps with poor mechanics, she may even be disqualified in the coaches mind!

With the exception of Larabee (who GOT it), most of these camps have a primary mission - find a kid in the crowd who might fit their program in a few years. We KNOW she's interested in our program, because she's HERE! The big difference with Larabee was that he took the process a step further. He was looking at RAW athletic talent that he could also develop = smart move. Now, if more Ohio college coaches would only buy into what Larabee (and his "helpers" ) started, it could start a revolution in Ohio women's fastpitch!

So... Reverse the tables: Why not take your kid go to a "camp" with skills already in place and demonstrate HOW IT'S DONE, instead of learning some flawed junk that will only confuse your DD!! THAT'S how kids get recruited...

Something to think about at the next "camp".

Sammy you got it together brother! Great post. College camps are an "audition", not "how too clinic". So with that in mind their parents and coaches better prepare them to bring their "A game" or you're wasting your time and money.