Baseball Soft
Coaching youth and high school baseball batters requires a watchful eye and close attention to detail. Baseball coaches must identify and correct any flaw in batting hitting mechanics. Players should not be allowed to practice their swing over and over without correcting their mistakes. Good baseball coaches are always on the constant lookout for any bad habits that a young player may develop. Here I discuss three of the most common hitting mechanical flaws and my approach to correcting each. Here are three common mistakes I often see at my baseball camps and when I observe youth games and youth practices.
1) BARRING THE FRONT ARM - The batter locks or stiffens the front arm as the swing begins. Many young batters will have assumed the correct stance and launch positions but have a tendency to tighten up as the swing begins. The barring of the front arm causes the swing to loop and to be too long. The batter has great difficulty taking the bat to the ball and making contact unless the ball is thrown exactly on the swing plane. The proper swing has a "short stroke" or path to the ball. The best way to correct barring of the front arm is to make sure that the batter keeps the front arm elbow bent or at an "L" position prior and during the swing.
2) STEPPING OUT OR PULLING OFF PITCHES - I often see this with young kids in our summer camp program. They always step out or their front side often flies open before the ball arrives. This batter has great difficulty making contact. Until this flaw is corrected, the batter will only become frustrated and embarrassed. To keep the front shoulder in the proper "closed" position, teach the batter to keep the front shoulder closed and directed at the second baseman for right-handed batters and toward the shortstop for left-handed batters. The stepping out is a more difficult flaw to fix. Having the batter pick the front heel off the ground and stepping just slightly toward the plate may help. I frown on putting obstructions behind the front foot to keep it from moving backward, although many coaches do this to stop this bad habit. I often use the "step in and hit: drill with a hit trainer, Bat Action Machine or batting tee. The batter assumes a position back away from the ball target that requires the batter to step toward the ball in order to make contact. If the batter does not step toward or into the ball, the batter will not be able to hit the ball.
3) UPPER CUT SWING - The upper cut swing may be caused by two things that are quickly identified Dropping the hands and back leg collapse can both cause the batter to swing upward. Make sure that the batter keeps the hands at the top of the strike zone and does not drop the hands or dip the back side shoulder during the swing. The back leg should be keep "tall or straight" to prevent back side dipping which can also cause an upper-cut swing. Two great drills that we use to stop this is the "Zone Circle" tee or soft-toss drill. We make a circle the side of our batting cage by inter-weaving a white or yellow rope in the net. The batter must hit or drive the ball off the tee or from a soft-toss into the circle. The batter must have a level swing and keep the front side in to be able to hit the zone.
COACHING POINT: Make sure that the batter is not over striding. This too can cause a batter to pop up. The batter must concentrate visually on the top half or middle of the ball to make good contact.
Visit BaseballCoachingDigest.com for a great selection of Baseball Coaching and Training Articles. Check out the BatAction Hitting Machine baseball pitching simulator. This high speed training machine is 100% Guaranteed to raise Batting Averages and has a full year warranty.
 |
 MLB Caseworks Soft Brown Glove Baseball Display $149.97 Time Remaining: 1h 13m Buy It Now for only: $149.97 |
 Bownet Portable Big Mouth Soft Toss Baseball Net $149.99 Time Remaining: 2h 59m Buy It Now for only: $149.99 |
 SKLZ Lightning Strike Balls Baseball Like Practice Balls Pack of 6 Soft Durable $18.95 Time Remaining: 4h 6m Buy It Now for only: $18.95 |
 ADH 214REG Pro Soft Series 120 Inch Baseball Pitcher Infield Glove $109.95 Time Remaining: 6h 52m Buy It Now for only: $135.00 |
 ADH 214REG Pro Soft Series 120 Inch Baseball Pitcher Infield Glove $109.95 Time Remaining: 6h 55m Buy It Now for only: $135.00 |
 Akadema Pro Soft AHO224 Baseball Glove Mitt 13 LHT $89.99 Time Remaining: 7h 51m Buy It Now for only: $89.99 |
 Akadema Pro Soft APX221 Baseball Glove Mitt 1275 LHT $89.99 Time Remaining: 7h 51m Buy It Now for only: $89.99 |
 New Louisville LSSG Softball Baseball Soft Glove Cream $9.99 Time Remaining: 7h 51m Buy It Now for only: $9.99 |
 Akadema Pro Soft AGM209 Baseball Glove Mitt 115 LHT $89.99 Time Remaining: 7h 51m Buy It Now for only: $89.99 |
 Akadema Pro Soft AJJ254 Baseball Firstbase Glove Mitt $89.99 Time Remaining: 7h 51m Buy It Now for only: $89.99 |
 Mizuno Classic Pro Soft Baseball Glove GCP65S 115 RHT $159.95 Time Remaining: 7h 51m Buy It Now for only: $159.95 |
 Mizuno Classic Pro Soft Baseball Mitt GCP40S 1125 RHT $159.95 Time Remaining: 7h 52m Buy It Now for only: $159.95 |
 |
New York Yankees Insulated Lunch Bag Tote Pinstripe
Sale Price: $10.50  |
DescriptionNew York Yankees Insulated Lunch Bag Tote. Yankees deluxe vinyl lunch box with full zipper, handle. Yankees NY logo on front. Velcro divider inside. Expands to 10" x 5" x 8". Officially licensed by MLB... Features
|
 |
San Francisco Giants Baseball White Soft Side Lunch Box Bag
List Price: |
DescriptionSan Francisco Giants Baseball White Soft Side Lunch Box Bag. This great brand new lunch bag measures approximately 8.5x10.5x4, and has an easy detectable divider in the middle to separate drinks from food products... Features
|
 |
New York Mets Avon Mug NY Mets MLB Sculpted Ceramic
Sale Price: $8.16 |
Descriptionthe ballpark! Old-time styling gives this officially-licensed 11 oz. mug the vintage appearance of a timeless treasure; proudly boast the bold blue-and-orange and distinguished emblem of the fabled New York Mets... Features
|
![Occu v400; cap insert alone [PRICE is per EACH]](http://www.DiscountBaseballSoftballEquipment.com/media/images/i/31PE4YTJV9L._SL75_.jpg) |
Occu v400; cap insert alone [PRICE is per EACH]
List Price: |
DescriptionOccu v400; cap insert alone [PRICE is per EACH] Features
|
 |
BASEBALL ball sports table LAMP accent desk light NEW
Sale Price: $44.99 |
DescriptionShow your love for America's favorite pastime with this adorable nostalgic table lamp. It features 4 stacked resin replicas of worn baseballs with red stitched seams. A wonderfully simple way to give your dresser or nightstand a completely new look! Great for a nursery, bedroom, bathroom or playroom... Features
|
 |
Bucket of 48 Wilson Girls Soft Compression Pink Baseballs
Sale Price: $44.99 |
DescriptionSoft compression makes it 90% softer than traditional baseballs, making this ball great for beginners. The ball weighs approximately 5 ounces. Regulation size 9". Bucket of 48 balls with reusable lid Features
|
 |
On Another Playground: Japanese Popular Culture in America
Sale Price: $60.00 |
DescriptionFirst there was American-style "coca-colonization," now it's Soft Power: Japan's talent for infusing items from its modern popular culture into countries and lifestyles around the globe. A conference hosted by the American Studies program at Doshisha University in Kyoto explored recent trends in the spread of things Japanese into everyday life in the United States... |
 |
Isokinetics Inc. Hand Exercise Squeeze Ball - Egg Shaped - 5 Resistance Levels - Sold Separately
Sale Price: $6.79 |
DescriptionIsokinetics' Hand Exercise Squeeze Balls are the same quality products sold by others, brought to you direct from the manufacturer. No middleman means you pay less! And, we provide all of our squeeze balls with a 1 year guarantee direct from Isokinetics Inc... Features
|
 |
Isokinetics Inc. Hand Exercise Squeeze Ball - Round - 5 Resistance Levels - Sold Separately
Sale Price: $6.79 |
DescriptionIsokinetics' Hand Exercise Squeeze Balls are the same quality products sold by others, brought to you direct from the manufacturer. No middleman means you pay less! And, we provide all of our squeeze balls with a 1 year guarantee direct from Isokinetics Inc... Features
|
 |
MLB New York Yankees Mission Care Face Stick with 2 Lip Balm
List Price: |
DescriptionMajor League Baseball and Mission Skincare introduce the Authentic Collection of Skincare. Athletes need lip and skincare that goes beyond what traditional balms and sunscreens can provide -- and you do, too... Features
|
 |
Home Run Baseball Jar 240 Pieces
Sale Price: $12.00 |
DescriptionShips fast and fresh!! 240 individually wrapped pieces Features
|
 |
12 Mini Hot Dog Marshmallows - Candy & Soft & Chewy Candy
|
Description12 Mini Hot Dog Marshmallows. Each peach-flavored hot dog is sugarcoated for extra deliciousness! Individually wrapped. Fat-free. OTC |
 |
Grifiti Nootle Ipad Tripod Mount (For 2 and 3) with 1/4-20 Thread to Fit Any Standard Head You Already Use
List Price: |
DescriptionThe Grifiti Nootle iPad Tripod Mount is the same time tested form fitting frame Grifiti uses in our Dootle Book and Notebook Cases for Apple's iPad 2 and 3. No Ball Head Included. The form fitting case is made from protective ABS and is coated with a soft polyurethane cover to keep the iPad snug and protected... Features
|
 |
Cosmos ® Black/Hot Pink/Silver 2 in 1 (Stylus/styli + Anti-Dust Plug) Touch Screen Pen for iPhone 4 4s 3 3Gs iPod/iPad 2 3 Sony Playstation PSP PS VITA, HTC Flyer EVO View 4G, Motorola Xoom, Samsung Galaxy, BlackBerry Playbook AMM0101US + Free Cosmos Cable Tie
Sale Price: $5.69 |
DescriptionThis baseball bat shape designed stylus is slim and light weight, easy to carry. Features
|
 |
Poser 9
List Price: |
DescriptionPoser 9 provides the world s easiest way to create captivating art and animation with 3D characters. Simple-to-learn tools and included characters let artists focus on making art. Poser es with over 3GB of ready-to-pose humans and animals textures props and 3D scene elements... Features
|
 |
Momo Baby Soft Sole Baby Shoes - Baseball Brown
Sale Price: $16.99 |
DescriptionAllowing your baby to go barefoot helps the foot to grow normally and to develop its musculature and strength. Momo Baby footwear is carefully handcrafted and designed to provide the protection from rough surfaces and dirty floors, while providing the health benefits of being barefoot. Features
|
 |
Ultra-PRO Extra Thick Card Sleeves for Thick Jersey or Memorabilia Sports Trading Cards
List Price: |
DescriptionUltra Pro Extra Thick Soft Card Sleeves - 100 count pack (Fits Thick Cards up to 130 pt.) Features
|
 |
Fisher-Price Triple Hit Baseball
Sale Price: $31.99 |
DescriptionLearn to hit like a pro. There are three ways to play with Triple Hit Baseball, so anyone can learn. Beginners can hit from the tee to teach hand-eye coordination. In Rookie mode, balls pop up automatically, one after another... Features
|
 |
Red Drinking Helmet Soda Hat
Sale Price: $2.25 |
DescriptionBeer Guzzler Helmet, great for parties or as a gag gift Features
|
 |
25 - Ultra Pro 3 X 4 Top Loader Card Holder for Baseball, Football, Basketball, Hockey, Golf, Single Sports Cards Top Loads - Sportcards Card Collecting Supplies
List Price: |
DescriptionUlra Pro 3 X 4 toploading card holders are known as the most popular rigid individual card holder in the collectible card industry. Use this product to protect, store or display collectible baseball cards,football cards, hockey cards, or other gaming trading cards like Pokemon, Magic the Gathering, Pokemon, & YuGiOh! Features
|
