Comments for SwingAway Instructional Blog

Comment on Keeping the Front Side Closed During the Swing by Jeff

Jeff — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 16:16:41 +0000

Yes, I get frustrated when I hear coaches tell their players to open their hips up quicker. I believe that you should keep your hips and front shoulder closed as long as possible. Wait for the ball. Depending on what part of the hitting zone you want to hit the ball, you have plenty of time so don’t think you have to open the hips up early.

Comment on Learn How to See the Ball at the Right Time by Local News

Local News — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 15:46:32 +0000

Interesting point of view, just so you are aware, there is a new hyperlocal news site, LocalSpur, that is showing local news from practically every city in the nation, it’s pretty cool!

Comment on Learn How to Re-String a Baseball or Softball Glove by King Dale

King Dale — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 16:34:36 +0000

You really might wanna take a look that Baseball guide here.. its amazing http://www.SportMagics.com

Comment on How to Fix Pulling Off the Ball by Brad Loehr

Brad Loehr — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 16:24:13 +0000

What do you think is the SwingAway’s most valuable asset as far as training/practicing on hitting what specific pitch would be? And what reccomendation can you give me on creating the best over-all practice “curcuit” for my 15 year old son? Please keep in mind that he is very advanced (Junior Olympian) and loves our SwingAway.

Comment on Stop Striding to Where the Ball is Pitched! by Dan Buck

Dan Buck — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 02:54:56 +0000

Strides are another reason many players have horrible timing… especially with pitchers who change speed often. WHAT IS THE ADVANTAGE OF THE STRIDE? Albert Pujols is a prime example that a stride is NOT necessary… if you like to hit from a wide-based, spread-out platform (like Pujols) start there… why stride there. One more thing that can go wrong, one more timing element that has NOTHING to do with barrel to the ball. It looks good, it gives a false sense of “timing” and rhythm… but it does not generate bat speed nor help create additional power. In fact, as this article points out, most strides often get a player to “drift” forward with the stride momentum and they leave their core and hit with “forward balance” and get very little power from their backside…
Watch Pujols smack a HR and see how long his stride is… “zero inches”. He lifts his heel and braces himself against the front foot. His hands are back, loaded, barrel tilted toward the umpires head, and he merely drops the bat head with incredible quickness! Foot strides, push back loads, long swings from behind the head (going back first) do nothing but complicate a swing, make you commit earlier, and often throws off timing and balance.
Quiet and Quick! That’s the key to consistent hitting!

Comment on Why Can’t You Have a Long Swing? by Dan Buck

Dan Buck — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 02:46:58 +0000

I can’t agree more that too many players (I coach both baseball and fastpitch softball) swing too hard and too long. One of the greatest draw backs of long swing and “busy” swing, is that pitch selection is often horrible! The shorter and quicker the path, the easier and quicker the bat had can “drop” into the hitting zone, the longer you get to look at the pitch before committing! The longer the swing path, the sooner you have to start your hands and commit to the ball. We promote barrel slightly tilted back, hands at the back of the swing, ready to launch straight forward (no backwards load as the ball is approaching), keeping your hands inside the ball (not casting out and around the ball, but straight to ball), with the foot turn, hip turn popping as the hands pass down and to the zone. Early hips or lazy turns are also big problems with younger hitters. When my players have adapted to the Shorter path, they ALWAYS strike out less, walk more and hit for higher average!
The swingaway is an amazing tool for tons of reps without having to load up, pick-up, or chase balls! It also promotes hitting to all fields and players can clearly see the results of letting balls get deeper to go the other way, or pulling a ball when you meet it out in front. LOVE IT! Best teaching tool invented for instructors!

Comment on Practice Doesn’t Make Perfect, Perfect Practice Makes Perfect by Nate Barnett

Nate Barnett — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 05:40:18 +0000

And no more current example than tonight’s Yankees championship. It always amazes me how much time goes in to practice at the professional level. In a sport that is won and lost by inches, you got it right Dave about practicing your craft well and consistently.

Comment on Details on the Swing by Nate Barnett

Nate Barnett — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 05:51:02 +0000

Good advice. I sometimes have hitting pretend someone is pushing lightly on their front side shoulder blade once the hips begin to rotate. Depending on the kid they tend to get the idea that the hands must get going first without pulling the bat through with the front shoulder.

Comment on 3 Keys to Hitting Success by Nate Barnett

Nate Barnett — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 05:47:39 +0000

Dave, the thoughts on dealing with failure are huge! Getting past this part of the game is a must for a great career. Thanks for the message.

Comment on Proper Baserunning Tips by Bill Bartmann

Bill Bartmann — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 04:29:00 +0000

Cool site, love the info.