Indoor Batting Cage Practice: Our Set-up Chart

Station #1:	Cage Sequence #1: 3-2-7-1 (track 3, 2 sacs, 7 cuts, 1 H&R)
Station #2:	Cage Sequence #2: 2-7-1 (2 sacs, 7 cuts, 1 H&R)
Station #3:	Cage Sequence #3: 2-8-1-1 (2 sacs, 8 cuts, 1 H&R, 1 Squeeze)
Station #4:	Cage Sequence #4: 2-6-1-1-1 (track 2, 6 cuts, 1 sac, 1 H&R, 1 Squeeze)
Station #5:	Cage Sequence #5: 1-NO ROCKS IN THE AIR!!!

                                                Drill List

1.        Vision Soft toss (No side or standing feeders)

2.        Launch & Drop (up the middle to opposite field)

3.        Battle with the paddle

4.        Battle with the paddle top hand

5.        Lite-Flite Bunt

6.        Launch

7.        Dot Drill

8.        Vision Tee

9.        High Tee

10.     Tee Walk-ups

11.     Hitting discs

12.     Front Toss Whiffle Balls

What you see above is basically the chart that is used during the season when we are stuck inside due to weather.  Our cage area has space limitations.  Therefore, we have to be creative utilizing the space that we have. This chart serves as a portion of a practice plan. It will be posted.  The players are placed into their hitting groups.  They should be able to look at the chart, understand where they should be, and what they are to do once they get there. It usually takes 2-3 three times for the players to totally understand the process, but when they get used to it, it’ll be like clockwork.

Here’s how the chart is used.  The top of the chart is a map that displays the numbered cage station areas. It also shows the direction in which the players are to rotate.  The table in the middle of the chart has Stations 1-5 listed.  The coach is to write in drills for each station from the drill list at the bottom. Then, the coach is to circle a cage sequence to be followed once any given hitting group rotates into the machine area of the cage. The whole team rotates when the group on the machine is done. There is no reason for any one on the team to be standing around. 

Everyone has a place to be and a purpose once they get there.  By planning ahead of time there is less wasted time and more time for the coaches to float around and work with hitters.  This is typically used in 45-60 minute session.  We try to get everyone to each station twice.  Each player should get between 100-125 cuts.  If a player gets less than that, it’s on them for not working hard enough.

Team Hitting Drill: The Octopus

“Talent without discipline is like an octopus on roller skates. There’s plenty of movement, but you never know if it’s going to be forward, backwards, or sideways.”

-H. Jackson Brown Jr. 

The first time I saw this drill, or something similar to it, was in Dixon, IL. My friend Dan Crawford was using it as part of his team’s pre-game routine.  Whiffle balls were flying in every direction. Players were placed all over left field. Jokingly, I said, “Dan, it looks like a octupus exploded out there. What’s going on?” He told me it was a drill.  I liked it so much, that night I scribbled something similar to it on paper.

Equipment needed:

• 1 bucket
• 4 dozen whiffle balls
• 4 bats

Purpose: The purpose of this drill is to get each of your players 24 purposeful swings with in less than 8 minutes. It makes a great pre-game hitting routine. I especially like it on the road.  It also makes a good practice drill when time or space is limited for hitting.  Lastly, it’s a good indoor drill when a cage is not available.

Set up & Grouping: Take your team and divide them into three or four equal groups. I recommend no more than 5 in a group.  4 in each group is just about perfect. Place the bucket of whiffle balls in the center and one group on each side of the bucket. Each group needs a hitter, pitcher, and shaggers.  The hitters are nearest the bucket.  The pitchers are throwing towards the hitters standing by the bucket.

After a hitter gets 6 cuts, he or she rotates to become the pitcher of  his group. The pitcher rotates to shagger. A shagger comes to the bucket and becomes a hitter.  Make one of the groups “the lead group”. When all of the hitters in the lead group have hit, that group yells “ROTATE” and all of the groups rotate clockwise.  It should take a little less than 2 minutes for a group of 4 to hit at each station. Each station has a purpose. See below:

• Station #1: Pulling inside strikes
• Station #2: hitting up the middle
• Station #3: hitting outside strikes
• Station #4: I like to use this one as a wildcard station in order to mix it up.  You can make it a bunting station, top hand drill, 2 strike hitting, etc. Most often, I like to use a paddle drill.

Hints:

• The first time you run the drill, it will take a bit longer than 8 minutes due to explanation. It will get to be more fluid each time the drill is run.
• For younger players, eliminate the rotation. As the coach, call out a new hitting purpose every 2-3 minutes.
• Monitor your pitchers. Make sure that they are throwing the balls hard enough and trying to hit locations.
• Monitor your hitters make sure that they are swinging at strikes. Much to often, when the whiffle balls come out, hitter start swinging at everything.
• Emphasize no pop-ups.
• Make sure your hitters are not getting to close to one another. Safety first 🙂

BOOSTERS, NOT ROOSTERS: Parental Support During Games

“A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort.”

-Herm Albright

 Parents can work with you or against you.  Do not forget when you play at home they’re there, and when you go on the road they follow.  I’m not knocking fan support, because I adore it.  Although, I am knocking fan detriment.  I want as many parents at our games as possible.  I want them to come to our games and enjoy seeing their young man or young lady represent his school and town to the best of his or her ability.  I also want them to support the other players on the team and the program as a whole.  No one needs a college of coaches in the stands that criticize players, coaches, and officials. Talk about bush league, that’s the worst.

            At the beginning of a season I host a parent meeting.  I require players to have someone to represent them at this meeting.  A mom or dad may not be able to attend in some cases. So I tell my player to get an alternate, like a sibling or a grandparent.  I’ve never had a parent meeting last longer than a half an hour.  The discussion topics are the team rules for players, the schedule, travel procedure for road contests, and parent expectations.  That’s right, parent expectations. I expect them to be part of the team.  My rules for them are:

1)   Be positive at home.

2)   Don’t address officials.

3)   Be a booster, not a rooster.

            Be positive at home.  Parents need to cultivate the team concept at home when their son or daughter is not around me.  If his or her child comes home after striking out 3 times, he/she doesn’t need someone talking down to them.  Nobody feels worse than the player. As well, maybe someone’s child didn’t play that day.  Of course, that kid feels bad about it. I’d be disappointed in a player of mine that didn’t. A parent that tears down the coach or another player to give their son some false pride isn’t sending a very good message.  Parents at home need to encourage their boys when times are good and bad.  Encouraging their children to work harder at practice and be more involved in off-season activities is the best thing a parent can do. 

            Don’t address officials.  If something needs to be said to an umpire, I will say it.  I have only seen rude and obnoxious comments from the stands work to the advantage of the other team.  You think the strike zone was tight before, just wait.  Umpires are human. There is no instant replay.  We must live with their calls.  99% of them are trying their hardest to be impartial.  If an umpire is hustling and calling the game consistently for both teams, no one can complain.  I feel there are good and bad times for a coach to talk to the umpire about calls.  There are no good times for parents to do so. 

            Be a booster, not a rooster.  I make mistakes. We all do. Hopefully, we learn from them.   No coach needs some know-it-all former little league coach critiquing his every move. Those type of parents are like pussy cats waiting to pounce on a mouse.  They view the game with negative glasses.  And like a rooster at 5 AM, begin cackling their head off with some foolish coaching advice.  No one in the crowd is impressed.  In fact most of the other parents separate themselves from that type of fan.  These roosters always like to crow at the worst possible time. For example, during a regional game, after a lead-off double, I had a player wander too far off 2^nd base on a ball hit in front of him and get caught in rundown.  Prior to the miscue, I said all of the right things to him to remind him of the situation, and of course he acknowledged me. We all know the teenage mind is one of mystery, and he did the wrong thing.  In the rooster’s head, I’m sure he was elated.  He began to ruffle his feathers, stick out his chest, and crow sarcastically, “Nice goin’ coach, way to teach base-running.”  He was right. It was a poor base running play.  I was sure excited that he pointed it out and so was the player and his parents, I’m sure.  We went on to get 5 hits, 2 stolen bases, and score 3 runs that inning.  He shouted no compliments for our team. We went on to win the game 5-1 an advance to the regional championship.  The rooster had magically turned into a hen. Encourage your parents to disagree with you in private.  Shouting disapproval during a game helps no one.

            A parent meeting is really an attempt to preempt any miscommunications between the parents and the coach.  Your expectations for your players are made clear on an in person basis.  A coach that hosts a parent meeting will find that he has a more positive relationship with the parents than the coach that neglects to do so.  The parents will be more likely to give you help when you need it.  As well, they will support you on disciplinary issues with players, because the rules were explained clearly ahead of time.

PUT YOUR PRACTICE PURPOSE IN PRINT: The Importance of a Practice Plan

By creating a practice plan you give your practice a framework. Putting it on paper gives a coach a few advantages over other coaches that just “keep it upstairs”. Ultimately, the guys that go off the top of their head might as well be dumped on their head because one look at their unorganized practice would make even a bush league team cringe. Some may say, “Big deal, you’re making a list.” Yes, but the list is as detailed as you want it to be. A good practice plan allows a coach to group his players more effectively, manage practice time better, and motivate his/her players more easily.

Baseball and softball are very skill specific sports. Breaking your team up into small groups based on position is essential. For example, if a coach really wants to work on double play pivots with his middle infielders, does the whole team have to be working on this skill? No! The outfielders could be working on their footwork. The catchers, pitchers, and corner infielders could be working on bunt coverage. By separating into groups an hour worth of drill time could be condensed into 20 minutes, thus, leaving more time for other coaching points. The coach without this sort of plan on paper might have the whole team working on pivots. What a waste for the 10 players that may never play 2nd base or shortstop. Even worse, this same coach may have those 10 non-middle infielders just watching.

I am also a big advocate of social grouping at practice. For instance, we break up into 3 to 4 small groups for batting practice. I am the one that determines what players are in which groups. If allow the players to group themselves, they would always end up with the same players based on the buddy system. Thus, they are never building bonds with their other teammates. As well, buddies are more likely to mess around when no one is looking. Of course, my players would never do that. Yeah, right. They sometimes don’t like the fact that I pick the groups, but this is not a democratic process.

Efficiency of time is of the utmost importance with the teenage mind. A practice plan gives your practice a steady flow and quick-moving feel. By placing a time limit on a portion of your practice, a coach can be sure not have that session run too long. It is imperative that the video game, ESPN highlight, music video trained minds in which we are dealing not be under-stimulated. When a session drags on it becomes uninteresting and ultimately counterproductive. The time limit will prevent that from happening. It’s OK to go a little over the set time limit, but most of the time you’re better off to move on to the next portion of practice and return to the dragging session another day. Next, it stops your practices from turning into 3-hour marathons. I feel that a complete practice with 12-18 year olds should rarely last longer than 1 hr. and  45 min. Anything longer than that becomes drudgery for players and coaches. Lastly, by saving the practice plan, a coach can make notes on it for use in developing the next day’s plan or for future seasons’ plans. I know a football coach that has 30 years of practice plans filed away. This may sound crazy, but it’s really not. He explained it to me like this, “Some years are better than others, I want to be able to go back and review what was working in practice during good seasons.”

A curriculum and instruction professor in college discussed “advanced organizers” with our class one day. He started the class by acknowledging the word “TEST” written on the chalkboard. Nothing more, nothing less was written on the board. Being 40 paranoid college students in the room, we were relieved when he did say something about it. Our anticipation of an upcoming exam or possibly a pop quiz had all of us on the edge of our seats. There was no test scheduled for a month. He went on to explain that our focus on him and class was at its height due to an advanced organizer. The word “TEST” was the advanced organizer. It gave a group advance notice of an upcoming event. This tool can be as specific or as vague as you want. In this case it was vague. If your practice plan is posted for your players to see, it can have the same effect. For example, many drills are used daily. If the specific drills are written on the plan, the players will know when to expect a drill change. The transition to the next session will go much smoother. Alternatively, a vague note will spark players’ interest about a portion of practice. For example, I like to include an occasional skill oriented game in my practice plan. Just by putting the word “game” as one session of your practice, your players will anticipate that session eagerly. They will also work harder in preceding sessions, not wanting to lose the opportunity to play the game.  

 Here’s an example practice plan:

No matter what age of players that you may be coaching, a written practice plan is essential. Another good friend of mine says it like this, “KTSB”. That means “Keep Them Suckers Busy”. The plan eliminates idle time. Idle time leads to unnecessary distractions. Plan everything even down to the water breaks and the length of that break. If you plan for a three-minute water break, it will last three minutes or less. We’ve all seen practices and that the short water break turns into a 10 or 12 minute bull session. Well, if may not seem like a big deal, but in reality that could turn out be 10 to 12% of your practice time. What a waste! By planning for the rest periods at practice, announcing the length of the rest periods when they come, and sticking to that time, you’ll be much happier when the team transitions back to work mode. You’ll find that your team leaders, knowing that the break lasts only lasts a predetermined amount of time, will be back on the field ready to go before they actually need to be.

Nothing is cooler than having a player tell you that they really enjoy your practices, because the time goes so fast. Pace is everything. The trick is to mix pace with purpose. Chocking a practice plan full of activities for the sake of filling time is not the point. As a coach, you are a teacher. Each practice (or class) has a goal. Is it introduction of a new skill? Review? Quiz?

Lastly, I love hearing horror stories about the bad behavior of players. “Wait ‘til you get this kid. She/he is a real handful.” Or “That kid never practices hard.” As coaches we need to thrive on that challenge. Providing a quickly paced, skill filled, purposeful practice on a daily basis will typically meet that challenge head on. If you decide to wing it, without writing out a plan, you asked for it. The problem kid will eat you up, just like all of the other chumps that tried to work with that kid and couldn’t get it done.

DIRTY LAUNDRY: How a Coach Should Deal with Player and Parent Problems

“If the world were perfect, it wouldn’t be.”

 –Yogi Berra

 

            At some point, unfortunately, all coaches run into problems with players and/or their parents.  Some problems are major issues and some minor ones.  A well-prepared coach has a set procedure to deal with these occurrences head-on.  If problems are not dealt with quickly, assertively, and tactfully, they will boil over onto the field.  When this happens, the exact cause isn’t always apparent to the objective eye.  Although, the bush league atmosphere will be apparent.

            If a player has broken a training rule, has poor grades, has a poor attitude, or has done anything that clashes with team rules or my coaching philosophy, I feel compelled to say something.  Sweeping a problem under the rug only allows the problem to fester and become worse.  Too often, coaches try to ignore things.  I understand that as coaches of young people we must pick our battles, but you know how it goes, “give an inch, they’ll take a mile”. For example, I am a stickler about players being on time.  If I ignore the lateness of one player, the message is then sent throughout the program that it’s OK to be a couple minutes late. Pretty soon another player is late. Then, players start coming 10 or 15 minutes late.  Talk about “bush”. 

           I wouldn’t be able to sleep at night if I didn’t handle the situation on the spot.  The best way to handle most problems with players is in PRIVATE. Private can be behind closed doors or at practice 20 feet away from the rest of the team. Berating players with a loud, foul tone in front of the rest of the team may work once, but it will soon create an air of hostility.  Handling things one on one tells the player that you’re focused on his issues and his correction for the sake of the team, not embarrassment.  I have a friend that was also a high school baseball coach.  He was a great first half of the season coach. I know this because we used to play his teams twice each season, once at the very beginning of the season and once at the end.  When we saw his team the first time they looked sharp.  They were focused.  When this coach said jump they’d say, “How high?” Then during the progression of the season, his supposedly constructive criticisms became louder and more public.  When we’d play them at the end of the season, the players seemed skittish during pre-game warm-ups, as though they were walking on glass.  The moment one player would make a mistake this coach would verbally jump all over the guilty party.  This continued throughout the game.  His players lacked enthusiasm and were having no fun.  Rarely did he pull a player off to the side and “talk” to the player.  I’m not saying that he had to be a teddy bear, but people run from grizzly bears.

          The next scenario is when someone has a problem with you and your coaching.  Typically, the problems that I’m referring to are in relationship to playing time. Usually the problem is related to playing time.  Hell, I’d be disappointed in a player if he/she didn’t want to play more.  My first step is to address the players and parents at the parent meeting at the beginning of the season.  I feel that it is much easier to anticipate potential problems and not have any, than is it to not prepare for problems and then have to deal with them.  Our team’s procedure has 3 steps:

 

1)   I want to hear it from the player 1^st, not the parent.  I want the player to approach me one on one, before or after practice.  If something is bothering a player enough, he or she should be mentally tough enough to address it with the coach. I will not discuss an issue on the phone.  On the phone, people say things they don’t mean.  As well, words are misinterpreted via lack of visible body language.  If the parent approaches me about a pressing issue, and it is the first time that I’m being made aware of it, I politely tell the parent that their son or daughter has not brought that to my attention. I then add that I would like their son or daughter to see me in private prior to the next practice. Until then, it is not a discussion point.

 

2)   After the player has addressed the problem with me, if he is not satisfied, I will make an appointment to meet with the player and the parent(s).   95% of the time it will not come to this.  Most players accept what you tell them during the one to one meeting if you give them honest reasons.  But keep in mind that that not everyone shares your perspective, honest or not.  The biggest and most important rule in this situation is to not discuss other players on the team during this meeting.  If you allow this to happen, the parent will quickly compare his kid to every player in the line-up.  As opposed to being a supporter of the team, the parent will tear down the skill and ability of any given player ahead of his/her child own on the depth chart.  The proper way to conduct the meeting is to focus in on what his/her child can do to improve.

 

3)   If there is no resolution to the problem at this point, I advise the parent to make an appointment with the athletic director or principal of the school.  In a school situation this option exists.  It really should only be used for emergency situations.  School administrators should have more important things to do than worry about who’s playing 3^rd base and hitting 5^th for the baseball or softball team.  You want to maintain the support of the administration.  Only involve them in very difficult situations.  They will appreciate it.

 

            By following this procedure, the number of peripheral issues that can distract a team will be filtered.  A player will think twice before going home after practice and griping, because parents’ initial reaction will become, “Did you talk to your coach about it?” If the player answers, “No,” then reflection upon the validity of the problem goes on in the player’s head.  Upon reflection, if it is still a problem to one of my players I want to help them figure it out. That’s part of building a cohesive “non-bush league” team.

Baseball Caps: Lead with the Logo

“The fashion wears out more apparel than the man.” 

–William Shakespeare, Much Ado About Nothing

 

           A cap has a visor or bill. A visor is a device placed on the front of a cap that is intended to improve vision.  It has a function.  I hate to be so dreadfully obvious, but it really looks ridiculous when it is worn backwards.  This is not true for everyone. There are some in this world who do wear it well. Of course they all either under the age of 10 or have names like Puff Doggy or Master G Funky Fresh.  Respectively, their moms either purchased the caps they wear or, it goes with their urban fashion ensemble.

          For my players it is a discipline issue.  They should be excited that they representing  their school or town by being on the baseball team.  Therefore, they should display the logo on the front proudly, in front.  Next, if my players care enough to wear their caps properly, they will be more likely to care about improving their game at practice that day.  Besides, if they don’t wear that bill in front I prescribe a cure that consists of an undetermined amount of push-ups.  During the season, I’ve been known to carry this rule to the real world as well. 

         One of my favorite players was driving by my house while I was cutting my grass. Of course, he had his school cap reversed.  He honked and waved, which was really, a very nice gesture.  What coach wouldn’t like that? So, I thought I would return the gesture by waving back.  I really liked this player so I raised both hands to wave.  At this point this player realized that my showing of ten fingers meant he had ten push-ups at practice the next day. Needless to say he turned his cap around.  By the way, I know ten push-ups may seem light, but it quickly turns into 30 or 40 if I get any guff.   It multiplies for repeat offenders.

         This rule carries over to my former players as well.  I welcome them back to workout in the weightroom, Throw in the gym, or even hit in our cage.  It is very encouraging for younger players to see a former player, that may be playing college ball somewhere, come back to workout.  That returning player better abide by your rules while he’s back, otherwise a poor example will be set.  Once, we had an off-season strength training session with about 25 players in attendance.  Into the weightroom walked one of a former pitcher who was back for winter break.  He came in with his grubby college cap as backwards as backwards could be.  I was on it quick. I said, “Hey Bill, whose house are you in?”

He respectfully replied, “Yours, coach.”

“Then turn that cap around and get in here and show these guys how to workout.” The rest of the players got a good chuckle and got to workout with one the hardest working players I’ve ever been around.  But the real victory was that he respected our team rules because he knew it was important to the team. In turn, the players saw that even the simplest rules apply to the best players, past or present.

          Another reason for this practice is the impression it gives others outside your program.  Your players send messages to opposing players and coaches with their appearance. What impression do you want them to send?  I have mixed emotions when my team shows up to a road game and the other team has players running around during warm ups with their caps backward.  My first reaction is jubilation.  I see an undisciplined team. I know that when the game is on, we’ll have the edge. Inevitably, that team will do calisthenics poorly, or not at all.  They will get their arms loose in an unorganized manner.   Then, I feel disappointed for those players.  I’m sorry that their coach isn’t setting a better example by allowing them to run around like clowns.   Simply wearing your hat incorrectly does not cause these problems, but it’s a big red flag for a poor club.

          Also, let’s not forget that these athletes are students first.  They shouldn’t be wearing their caps in a juvenile fashion around teachers.  The cooperation of the other teachers in your building is essential to your program’s success or failure.  The least your players can do is present themselves and their caps in a respectful manner.  You don’t want your players being labeled as immature or disrespectful.  The simple, proper presentation of a cap is enough for some teachers is enough. Lastly, good programs have players that play beyond high school.  A college coach wants players with a positive “field presence”.  A 180-degree flip of the visor could tear that first impression made on a college coach to shreds.  I’m not saying that by wearing your hat correctly your players will automatically get college scholarships, but why spoil the possibility over something so simple to correct.

If you enjoyed this post you will probably like the following:

https://coach5150.wordpress.com/2009/06/29/baseball-softball-uniforms-to-tuck-or-not-to-tuck/

https://coach5150.wordpress.com/2009/07/20/baseball-chewing-tobacco/

Baseball & Softball Hitting: The Finish

The previous three posts related to hitting dealt with:

1. Stance or Rest Position
2. Negative Movement or Launch Position
3. Contact Position

The fourth installment of this series of posts deals with the end of the swing or “The Finish”.   Basically, I want to describe what a hitter’s body should look like after contact is made. The focus of this description will be related to balance and direction of of bat path. Here are 4 questions to ask your hitters at the end of the swing:

1. Are you hitting off a firm front side with your front knee still locked?
2. Are you still balanced with your head centered between both legs so as not to be lunging forward? Could you take a steel rod and insert it through the top of the skull, go down through the spine, and come out the bottom of the femur?
3. Is your head still and steady? Does the neck look and feel relaxed? Did the head remain at a consistent altitude?
4. Is the bat completely wrapped around your back? This may vary, based on whether you are a top hand release hitter (ex. Mark MacGwire) or a no release hitter (ex. Mike Schmidt).

The Test- Repeatedly, look to see if  the hitter is in a steady, controlled position upon finishing the swing. If not, continuously look to improve until he/she is in that position. Depending on core strength, age, and amount of built up muscle memory the amount of time to correct improper balance will vary.  For some hitters it may take 1,000 repetitions to get to “comfortable” 🙂

Please feel free to comment.

If you enjoyed this post, you’ll probably enjoy the following:

https://coach5150.wordpress.com/2009/08/03/baseball-softball-hitting-qualities-of-a-great-batting-stance/

https://coach5150.wordpress.com/2009/08/09/baseball-softball-hitting-loading-launching-slotting-getting-a-negative-movement/

https://coach5150.wordpress.com/2009/08/14/baseball-softball-hitting-the-contact-position/

Baseball & Softball Hitting: The Contact Position

Lefty hitting an inside pitch.

The previous post was related to the negative movement or “launch” position.  That negative movement should be performed on every pitch.  The idea is to be ready to hit every pitch.  Making the assumption that the next pitch will be the one to drive.  Hitters should only be laying off pitches that  they decide aren’t giving them an optimum chance of making good contact. This post is about what a hitter’s body should look like when he or she sees that pitch, you know…. “the one”.

Here is a list of questions or checkpoints, if you will.  Some questions to ask your hitters as you review videotape of them hitting. Or simply some things to watch as your hitters take BP.

1. Is the hitter’s rear foot and kneecap turned facing the pitcher?
2. Did the back hip and back shoulder coincide movement?
3. Is the hitter up on the toes of his or her back foot?
4. Is the hitter’s front foot slightly open at a 45° angle?
5. Is the knee braced and locked?
6. Are the hands in a palm up-palm down position?
7. Is the hitter’s head still an centered between both legs?
8. Is the posture still tall and not leaning forward or back?
9. Are the hitter’s eyes fixed on the point of contact? You can’t hit what you can’t see.
10. Is the hitter hitting strikes at different parts of the zone at the correct area over the plate?  The inside pitch should be struck in front of the hitters front hip, the outside pitch near the front of the back hip, and the pitch right down the middle should be struck somewhere in between.

Albert Pujols hitting an outside pitch. Notice the eyes, hands, and feet. Awesome!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As always, feel free to comment. 

 

If you enjoyed this post you’ll probably enjoy the following:

 

https://coach5150.wordpress.com/2009/08/03/baseball-softball-hitting-qualities-of-a-great-batting-stance/

 

https://coach5150.wordpress.com/2009/07/29/bunt-technique-the-pivot/

Want to follow our season on Twitter?

St. Anthony Baseball: 2008 Regional Champions

I’ve just started a Twitter page for our fall baseball season.  My first reason for doing it was to communicate with parents in another mode.  Secondly, we have entered a cooperative athletic agreement with a school 12 miles away. I want to be able to get info to parents and grandparents related to rainouts, re-schedule, and etc. in an alternative methods to the norm.  Lastly, it gives me an opportunity to describe the trials and tribulations of the season.  

You can view the most recent Tweets on the right side of the screen, right under the Blog Stats 🙂

St. Anthony School: 2007 IESA 1A State Champions

Bunt Technique: The Pivot

Bunting is a fundamental aspect of both baseball and softball.  Through practice, bunting can and will be turned into a major offensive weapon for your team.  Let’s begin with a definition:

Sacrifice Bunt: The objective is to move a runner(s) to a succeeding base.  The batter’s concern should be about moving the runner along, not trying to get a base hit.

The Technique

I used to allow my players to use any method of bunting that they desired.  It was my mistake.  I had the “just get it down” attitude.  It was not hard to see that we were not very efficient.  We needed one set philosophy, one disciplined set of rules, that all players would learn.  I chose the pivot method.  The pivot portion refers to the feet.  Basically, the difference between this method and the “square around” method is that during a pivot, the player’s feet do not leave the ground. 

Here are the rules and characteristics of a good pivot bunt technique:

• Stance has the feet shoulder width apart (slightly more is fine) and remain square to the plate, not the pitcher.
• Stand closer to the pitcher than normal (up in the box).  This will allow a better opportunity to bunt the ball in fair territory.
• Stand closer to home plate than normal. This will allow more plate coverage with the barrel of the bat once the actual pivot is made. Most poor bunt attempts are made due to a lack of plate coverage.  Put your players in position to successfully bunt the strike on the outside half of the plate.
• When the pitcher takes the ball from the glove during delivery,  pivot on the both feet without picking them up from the ground. The back heel should be up and the front heel down with 50/50 balance. (When bunting for a hit or squeezing this happens later in the pitcher’s delivery.)
• Shoulders should be square to the pitcher.
• Torso bent slightly forward.
• Knees flexed.
• Arms relaxed and extended forward.
• Slide top hand up the taper of the bat.  Top hand should use the thumb, index and middle fingers to control the bat. These fingers should pinch the bat in the shape of  the letter “V”.
• There should be a minimum of 8 inches between hands.  The top hand is the fulcrum.  More distance between the fulcrum and the bottom hand will give the player more bat control.
• Bat should be held in front of the plate with the barrel angled slightly higher than the handle.
• To hit the lower pitch, lower the body, not the hands.  The rule is…. “Keep the bat head above the ball.”  I don’t like hearing, “Don’t drop the bat head!”  Inevitably, that’s what will happen.  State it positively, that gives a notion of  “what to do”, not “what not to do”.

 The pivot method on the left promotes much better plate coverage than does the square around method on the right.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other hints:

1. In a sacrifice situation, bunt strikes only.  This pitch selection must be drilled. Teach players how to pull back on bad pitches.
2. Bunts should be rarely attempted with two strikes. Foul bunts with two strikes are strikeouts.
3. Have your players pretend that they have a glove over the barrel of the bat and they are going to catch the ball.  This will help those that seem to poke or jab at pitches.
4. In a sacrifice situation, get the bunt down first, then run.  Do not attempt a fast start out of the box.  Although, the pivot method places the player’s feet in a great position to run, unlike the square around method where often times there are false steps in getting going towards 1st base. 
5. Get bunts to “hot zones“.  These are areas 3 feet from the lines and 3 feet away from the path to the pitcher.  I’ve included a diagram of the “hot zones below.  The point is to make the pitcher run to field the ball and keep it fair.  As well, the bunt need to be 8- 10 feet away from the catcher. I suggest using landmarks, like cones or rugs  for hot zone drills and games.

Far too often, we see young players, that get the bunt sign in a sacrifice situation, get cute.  They will either pivot too late in a effort to surprise the defense, or they will try to get their bunt to go right down the third base line.  What usually happens is that the player either fouls the ball off, pops up, or misses completely.  Players need to know that the sacrifice bunt has a purpose, and it is an honorable part of the game.  The successful sacrifice bunt is just as important as the lead-off hit or the RBI single that scores a run. Therefore, as coaches, we need to continually emphasize the importance of the sacrifice.  A great way to do this is via reward.  I like to absolutely go nuts over a great sacrifice bunt.  I want my players to know that I appreciate it as the coach.  So, I must be the first one clapping and giving verbal praise.  The players will follow suit.  Also, I suggest a giving a physical reward.  It may seem a little childish, but it works.  Here are some examples:

• Give a plaque at your end of season banquet or party for the most successful bunts. 
• For softball players, give out  helmet stickers or use a reward board.
• For baseball players, steal a page from the late 70’s, “Pops” Stargell, Pittsburgh Pirates.  Give out the star patches for the players’ caps.  There are many options other than stars.  Last year we used a skull and crossbones patch for a sacrifice. Ah… I can hear “We are Family” right now. Sister Sledge was very underrated.

I like giving rewards for the little parts of the game.  Not every player can hit home runs or strike out the side, but every player can bunt or use great ground ball technique. When players start paying attention to the little details of the game, BIG things will happen.

Comments are welcome!!!

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https://coach5150.wordpress.com/2009/06/16/baseball-softball-fielding-drill-the-bucket-game/

 

https://coach5150.wordpress.com/2009/06/07/throwing-progression-for-accuracy-arm-strength-playing-catch-the-right-way/

 

https://coach5150.wordpress.com/2009/06/02/7-point-drill/