Hitting Styles

Hitting is a largely comfort driven action. If you are starting in an uncomfortable position, you will not be able to swing the bat as fast with the correct swing path. I believe that a hitter could start in any stance they want as long as they get to the right load position when the pitch is coming. The correct load position is hands in a comfortable position above the shoulder with the bat pointed almost straight up. Feet are just beyond shoulder width apart, the front heel is off the ground with the ball of the foot down. The weight is spread about 60-40 front foot to back foot. The back elbow has to be in a comfortable position, not straight down and definitely not up, but somewhere in between. Another debatable topic is the point of contact. It varies from coach to coach. I have had people tell me to hit the ball as deep as I can and others tell me to hit the ball as far in front as I can without losing balance. I think contact should be with an almost straight front elbow and a back elbow bent just past 90 degrees. And after contact the arms should straighten out allowing maximum time in contact with the baseball. During the swing, I have felt it easiest to stay inside the ball to lead the start of the swing with the front elbow bent until the point of contact. This ensures that your hands are inside the baseball until you throw your hands to the point of contact. I love hearing about new drills to do. After my career is over I want to coach