Hitting and Hitters Discussion Tee workout mechanics

[Converse Kid]

Your thoughts on proper tee mechanics? Should DD practice with a heavier bat? How much tee work versus soft toss? Its winter and DD looking for reps for muscle memory.Any workout routines also appreciated.

 

[ApogeeDemon]

Ask Hitter and Straight Leg. They will tell you to tape some car parts together in the garage as hitting tools. They will talk about how Crystl can do this and Crystl can do that.

 

[straightleg]

Ask Hitter and Straight Leg. They will tell you to tape some car parts together in the garage as hitting tools. They will talk about how Crystl can do this and Crystl can do that.

Demon

Thanks for the props... To mention my name in the same sentence as Hitter makes me blush...
I am also flattered that you think of me as one of the 2, go to guys on this forum. I will try to live up to the expectations.

To answer CK's question.
We use heavier bats with tee work but the weight is in the handle. I normally do around 10 reps with 2 different weighted bats. The weight in the handle sometimes helps the hitter feel the lower body sequence working first to create that lag between lower and upper half.
As you coil forward, falling out to toe touch, the hands are going back creating stretch. The weighted handle helps with the felling of the upper body being lagged behind the lower half sequence and not have that upper body ahead swing.


Straightleg

 

[cz fastpitch fan]

Demon, you're right that Hitter's and Straight Leg's input are typically very solid and credible, but why the sarcasm?
They are offering advice for the selfless help if others...isn't that to be appreciated, not flooded with insults.
Just my view from the cheap seats.
And CK, the one thing that Hitter neglected was to make sure to move the ball around. Hit the pitches off a tee that the DD will see in a game. Avoid setting up that fat, down the middle pitcher's mistake because they won't see many of those in a real game.
Just my $.02
CZ

 

[wow]

Tee work is critical. As CZ states move the ball around inside out and up and down. Love the weighted bat. We use this and switch back and forth. Breaking down the swing is what tee work is. Making sure not to drop hands, making contact at the sweet spot and then extending. 150-175 swings is easy to get in in in about 20 min. All about reps when it 7* outside!

Drills we use.

1. Slow motion.
2. Go to contact slowly and then pull back and push hard through the ball. Helps get them to extend through the ball.
3. Use two tees. This is great for opening hips on inside pitches. Put one outside and the other inside where you want to hit and then try to hit one not the other.

Yes incorporate soft toss from side and behind (Make the hitter catch up)

If you have access to a pitching machine it also helps with timing.

 

[GeneralsDad]

The DD never uses heavier bats. In fact she does the opposite.

 

[ApogeeDemon]

Demon, you're right that Hitter's and Straight Leg's input are typically very solid and credible, but why the sarcasm?
They are offering advice for the selfless help if others...isn't that to be appreciated, not flooded with insults.
Just my view from the cheap seats.
And CK, the one thing that Hitter neglected was to make sure to move the ball around. Hit the pitches off a tee that the DD will see in a game. Avoid setting up that fat, down the middle pitcher's mistake because they won't see many of those in a real game.
Just my $.02
CZ

Insults? Hitter has called me Jerry Springer and Space Boy! lol As soon as you don't agree with them, they will tell you about Crystl Bustos (whom they didn't teach to hit) and claim because they have worked with her, that they are never wrong. Then they will talk about the 2 girls that have done well in college out of the 200 while the 198 didn't. Oh, and they will show some contraptions they glued together in the garage that make no sense to anyone. I don't know what your talking about, I love these guys! Theyre like Abbot and Costello in softball! Really though, I think SL wanted to learn about hitting. Howard taught him. SL believed EVERYTHING that Howard told him. But in reality, some of the stuff simply doesn't work or needs modified. (Bouldersdad figured that out by the way) SL needs to do the same.

 

[Dawgsdad]

Instead of worrying about using a heavier bat, look into "hitting jack-it" weights for your bat. They slide on to the handle/tapper part and create the feeling that's heavier without the chances of it being too heavy and dropping of the hands.

 

[Westler33]

Hey Apogeedemon I just wanted to know what are you trying to get at by bashing Howard? I have been to his house and seen all the things that Howard has made and they are not just glued together. All the things that Howard has to offer to our youth are great! I have also seen all the pics at the clinics and Bustos in his garage so he never claimed to know or have worked with anyone that he has not. If you don't agree with him then you don't just leave it at that don't bash a man for helping kids!

 

[Converse Kid]

Apogee Demon harasses and belittle's nearly everyone, that's his style. I just joined this site this past year and he has bashed alot of my posts. I wouldn't put up with his BS if I was the admin of this page. I almost left becuase of him. Thanks to the others for your constuctive comments! And Apogee Demon, the only thing you are elite at is being an asshole, good day!

 

[ApogeeDemon]

Apogee Demon harasses and belittle's nearly everyone, that's his style. I just joined this site this past year and he has bashed alot of my posts. I wouldn't put up with his BS if I was the admin of this page. I almost left becuase of him. Thanks to the others for your constuctive comments! And Apogee Demon, the only thing you are elite at is being an asshole, good day!

and you should be banned for cussing at forum members. There are kids that use this site. Try to remember that. good day!

ps <-------Look over there. I have 158 Thumbs up! Let me explain. Many of the members here agree with me (believe it or not.) They thumbs up because of the "pack mentality" on here. If you aren't a "yes man" then you get flamed so many don't want to express their real thoughts. I even get private messages here asking me to post questions because members are afraid of what other members would say/think about them. It is ok to not agree with things I say. If everyone agrees on everything, how can anything improve? Think about it. Look closely at the posts. As soon as I disagree or offer a different view, I usually get attacked. I actually admire all the people here that are trying to improve the sport and its athletes. Ohio has come a long way. What I can tell you and others is try to have an open minds set vs. a closed mind set. Isn't that what we teach our players?

 

[Westler33]

Hey Shelby's dad! You itching for this weekend yet?

Howard is a class guy and guess what, the man has never charged a dime in 26 years and not only has helped kid after kid, he has also been very instrumental in getting a lot of people started in teaching the craft! The reason you dont have an OLYMPIC CALIBER coach on this site any more is crap like AP is posting. Its not a good thing to have a guy like Howard feel like he just doesnt want to deal with the crap! Cant say that I blame him.

Tell Shelby Finley and I say hello! Thats one awesome kiddo!

Hey Roy Shelby told me to say thanks and hi to Finley to. I don't say that everyone has to use one style of pitching or hitting to all his own but let the people who help this game do so. Howard is a great guy and a great teacher of the game no matter what anyone says and there are a lot of people that agree.

 

[Westler33]

Oh and yes we are itching like we have bugs. lol

 

[ApogeeDemon]

No one said they agree with everything Howard teaches? There are wars on the internet about hitting and each person feels THEY ARE RIGHT! However you could express your views a little differently! You could tell us what exactly that Howard and Straightleg teach that you dont like? Then maybe we can all learn! Myself I dont FOLLOW ANYONE! I swing the bat myself, I listen, I watch video, and I learn. If someone says something I disagree with I dont start bashing them on a public site! Its very easy to just arbitrarily bash someone. Id like to hear you respectfully disagree and tell us in your own words what it is about his teachings that you dont like? What do you do thats different? What do you do/teach that produces a High Level swing? I definitely would like to know! Im not saying you cant! Im just saying we could all benifit from you if you are more knowledgeable than some of the people you have mentioned! So the floor is yours! I m looking forward to knowing what you do/teach that can produce a high level swing!

Go look under hitting technical. I did offer my opinions on the video SL posted. I mentioned that the hips should not be so far in front of the hands. Remember, MY opinion. As soon as I said that, I was told that I have no idea about how a swing works. Again, I was attacked because I had a different opinion. Go look for yourself. Sorry if I don't baaaaaaaaaa like the other sheep. Ask me a question about hitting, and I'll tell you MY opinion. You have to be willing to accept the fact though, that it might not align to yours. Go to 5 hitting coaches, you get 5 different swings. Here, let me tell you the real truth in my opinion.
** The best hitters in the game are born that way. A hitting instructor can raise a girl 50-100 points on her avg. and teach her how to have a productive at bat. Like hitting a sac fly, sac bunt etc. That helps the team. What I think does happen though is that parents pay and pay and pay thinking their .200 avg. 14 year old will suddenly hit .450 with a hitting instructor. Can it happen? Sure! But the true greats are just born with it. I'm not saying don't go to an instructor but that has to be kept in mind. Also, I see instructors get huge ego's. They coach 100 girls. 2 sign with mid major DI and they think they know it all. It reminds me of track coaches. They always say they never met a fast older runner that was slow when they were young. It's something that youre born with. Also, the 10,000 hour rule mentioned in the Talent Code has been proven wrong. Some athletes master elite levels of play before that 10,000 hour rule. Some actually never achieve it. It is a myth to think that if a girl practices 10,000 hours she will be the next Olympian. Anyway, ask away!

 

[ApogeeDemon]

I can agree with some of that but to say hitters are born, I disagree! Yes some are born to be better etc but no one can hit a baseball without practice...Its the hardest thing to do in sports IMO and you dont just roll out of bed doing it! I read the Talent code also and I do agree with the point about the runners! But you really havent told me much of anything about what it is that you do to produce a high level swing! Im not trying to sound like a jerk but Im not interested in the books you have read or how you were treated in the hitting forum! What im interested in is how you produce/teach a high level swing! So far i have gotten, hips not so far ahead of hands! Im interested in why you dont like Howards teachings and what it isthat you do that is superior? Again. Im not saying you cant! Im simply asking you to share!

Here is a great read. Lorenzo Cain, a MLB player for the Royals, never played baseball until soph year in high school. He never played little league. Now many of the MLB hitters played little league yes, but this does show that talent is born. If everyone could hit .400 with just practice, there would be no MLB because anyone could do it. There is a definite genetic input. Also, there are several new discoveries as to why some players go to high levels of play over others. Do you have any specific questions about hitting?
http://www.kansascity.com/sports/ml...der-Lorenzo-Cain-making-up-for-lost-time.html

 

[straightleg]

and you should be banned for cussing at forum members. There are kids that use this site. Try to remember that. good day!

ps <-------Look over there. I have 158 Thumbs up! Let me explain. Many of the members here agree with me (believe it or not.) They thumbs up because of the "pack mentality" on here. If you aren't a "yes man" then you get flamed so many don't want to express their real thoughts. I even get private messages here asking me to post questions because members are afraid of what other members would say/think about them. It is ok to not agree with things I say. If everyone agrees on everything, how can anything improve? Think about it. Look closely at the posts. As soon as I disagree or offer a different view, I usually get attacked. I actually admire all the people here that are trying to improve the sport and its athletes. Ohio has come a long way. What I can tell you and others is try to have an open minds set vs. a closed mind set. Isn't that what we teach our players?

Too bad it does not tell who thanked you
I would say you were thanked 157 times by yourself. There might be 1 rogue person out there besides you...



SL
























SL

 

[ApogeeDemon]

Too bad it does not tell who thanked you
I would say you were thanked 157 times by yourself. There might be 1 rogue person out there besides yourself...



SL
























SL

I got mad love for ya SL!! You can't thumbs up yourself! Something like 30-40% of my posts get thumbed up. Crazy world we live in SL. Hate the game, not the player!

 

[ApogeeDemon]

I never once said EVERYONE who practices can hit 400. Some cant ever hit or throw or catch at a high level no matter what they do! That is not the same as saying someone can be an elite hitter without working at it!

But again you dont tell me what it is that Howard teaches that you dont like or what it is that you teach that produces a High Level swing! Im pretty sure you wont tell me at this point! Im pretty sure you are just here to liven the joint up a bit and from reading your posts in the hitting forum where you say the hips dont get in front of the hands that tells me that you definitley dont grasp the mechanics of hitting at all and no wonder you were pounced on!!!! There are few thing that the various hitting instructors will agree on! Hips lead the hands is DEFINITELY ONE THAT THEY AGREE ON..UNIVERSALLY!

Im out!

RP..chill out. I sense anger in ya. It's like saying, how do I drive a car? Well, there are many ways. Im asking you to be specific. That's all. I believe in a load, 50/50 at contact. Palm up/palm down. Hips and hands work together. I like the back elbow up. I like to be up closer to the plate, neutral in the box. The hips are only in front of the hands by a fraction. Ask specific questions. You don't have to be mad.

 

[Westler33]

All I have to say is that what Howard teaches works great for us and for a lot of people. Maybe not everyone but more than not so keep on teaching the game Howard your one of the great one's to me!

 

[ApogeeDemon]

You posted this:
Re: Reverse Hand Swing

Originally Posted by ApogeeDemon
Bustos is transferring her weight into the hit. I don't see Casey really transferring weight into the swing. Casey is loading but not transferring enough. Look at Bustos back foot. It is tilted forward because she is moving that power forward into her swing. Casey's doesn't do that. Also, watch Bustos belly button, you'll see how it moves forward into the hit. Casey's only moves a little. A think Casey has great contact and extension. I would get her to transfer her power from her load more into the pitch and I'll bet her power numbers go up.
Also, she shouldn't be firing her hips in front of her hands. That's creating a bad habit. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pjaOLpyG968 Watch the 2 MLB players, their hips work with the hands, they don't run way in front of their hands. Again, her power numbers could soar with a couple adjustments. Thanks for sharing!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F_7BlQX_M2c


Then you just posted this:

RP..chill out. I sense anger in ya. It's like saying, how do I drive a car? Well, there are many ways. Im asking you to be specific. That's all. I believe in a load, 50/50 at contact. Palm up/palm down. Hips and hands work together. I like the back elbow up. I like to be up closer to the plate, neutral in the box. The hips are only in front of the hands by a fraction. Ask specific questions. You don't have to be mad.

Thats what I call talking out of both sides of your mouth or maybe YOU JUST LEARNED SOMETHING!







​

watch the video. She shouldn't be firing her hips that far in front. Notice the link beside the comment. Still waiting on a question. Her hips shouldn't be IN FRONT of her hands. Read my friend, read!