Today's Tip: "Top Hand Release" Style of Hitting
In any given Major League League line-up 6 to 7 hitters use the Top Hand Release Style of Hitting.
Here is why: Teaching Top Hand Release Style of Hitting
This photo below shows Detroit's Miguel Cabrera using the Top Hand Release style of hitting.
Today's Tip: Keeping Your Hands Inside The Ball
When hitting a baseball or softball it is very important to keep your hands inside the ball when swinging the bat. This will increase your bat speed, insure sweet spot contact and allow the hitter to hit the ball all over the field.. Obviously I have not seen every major league hitter hit. However a very educated guess, 99 % of major league hitters hit by keeping their hands inside the ball when swinging their bat. In below picture one of the greatest hitters of all time, Tony Gwynn demonstrates this technique. Notice the knob of the bat leads first, followed by his hands and the barrel of the bat last. The bat lags behind the Knob and hands to create whip in the swing. At contact the hands are between his body and the ball.Tony Gwynn won 8 major league batting titles, in 1994 he hit.394 and hit over 300 for 19 straight seasons. As explained in a previous blog he was a "Top Hand Release" hitter.
Baseball Mechanics: Fix OR Leave Alone?
Sometimes in life it is best to leave things alone. Case in point, Juan Marichal pitched 15 seasons in the major leagues primarily for the San Francisco Giants. He won 243 games and lost 142 with a lifetime ERA of 2.89 On July 2, 1963 he pitched 16 scoreless inning against the Milwaukee Braves. Warren Spahn another great, pitched 15 plus innings in this game before Willie Mays homered to end the game in the bottom of the 16th inning. It is considered one of the greatest games pitched in the history of the major leagues. In 1983 Juan Marichal was inducted into the Hall of Fame. Warren Spahn was inducted to the Hall of Fame in 1973. Spahn won 363 games in his career, more than any major league left handed pitcher in history! Check out Marichal and Spahn in the these pictures - would you change their delivery? No Way. Would you teach this delivery to a young pitcher today? Probably Not. But let's be honest. Some players do it their way and do it extremely well. So sometimes as coaches we all just need to leave things alone.
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Know Your True Worth
Meryl Streep - "This was me on my way home from an audition for King Kong where I was told I was too “ugly” for the part.
This was a pivotal moment for me. This one rogue opinion could derail my dreams of
becoming an actress or force me to pull myself up by the boot straps and believe in myself. I took a deep breath and said
“I’m sorry you think I’m too ugly for your film but
you’re just one opinion in a sea of thousands and I’m off to find a kinder tide.” Today
Meryl Streep has 18 Academy Awards. Moral- Never ever give up on your dreams.
Only you know your true worth.
All of us in life have had and felt rejection. In the arts, sports, etc.
But as the saying
goes: Reach for the moon, if you happen not to get there you are still
amongst the stars.
My future begins every morning when I wake up.
- Miles Davis
This month's Special: Stream Mom, Can You Teach Me How To Hit? An instructional hitting video with 21 hitting drills and 20 aspects of hitting.
Today's Tip: Proper Follow Through in Throwing
When throwing a baseball or softball, after the release of the ball your arm should follow through across your body. This will help prevent injury to your shoulder. Never leave your arm facing straight out after the release of the ball. If so, you are asking for shoulder problems. In below picture Babe Ruth shows proper follow through after the release of the ball.
This week's Special: Stream to your computer or smart phone Mom, Can You Teach Me How To Hit? A movie with hitting instruction about a single mom who meets former Chicago Cub Bobby Woods in New York City's Central Park . As the movie progresses the mother and her struggling son learn 21 aspects of hitting with multiple hitting drills. Have access to this Movie for 5 days for $ 1.29 You will not be disappointed.
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Today's Tip: Hitting, Head and Eyes Discipline
When your bat makes contact with the ball your head should be facing down. Your nose should line up directly to the middle of the ball. This will give the hitter direct vision to the ball with both eyes. If you have aspirations to go to the "Show" (major leagues) you need to practice this technique.
In below picture former New York Yankee and current Seattle Mariners player Robinson Cano reveals this discipline - it does not get better than this!
If Robinson Cano stays healthy throughout his career he will someday be inducted into Baseball's Hall of Fame.
