Just missed it: Dropping the bat head

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Pat Crofoot on July 8, 2011 at 12:19pm

My son classicly (is that a word?) drops the barrel and fouls it off over the dugout...  A fellow checkswing member Todd Coburn told me to watch Ryan Braun's warm up swings.  Same as Pedroia... over emphasize the high barrel.

 

 

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Jim Rickon on July 8, 2011 at 2:12pm

Many different reasons why this happens. For some it has to do with their concentration and mind drifting just before they hit the ball. It goes from seeing the ball well (a "fat" pitch) to how far they want to hit it. This all happens in a split second but it's just enough to diminish how well they actually see the ball just before they hit it.

 

For some it's physical tied in to the mental. They see a "fat" pitch and then add a bit to their effort at the start of the swing. When you add effort beyond what you can control at the launch of your swing, the barrel quickly travels downward and changes course to the ball. The hitter feels like he is right on it but his barrel has already dropped and will be just under the ball. Some call this trying to do too much with a pitch that they saw very well.

 

Some are a bit late with their load which will cause the hitter to rush his swing and add effort due to trying to catch up. The added effort leads to dropping the barrel.

 

There are hitters that consistently drop their barrel early due to a lack of a strong position in their top hand grip. They use too much of their front side and bottom hand in relation to the back side and they end up losing their barrel under the ball.  The grip that the hitter has on the bat is an aspect of the swing that is often taken for granted when it comes to bat path, bat-speed and consistency.

 

The grip also has a direct impact on the position of the hitters front and back elbows in his stance as well as their slot position during the swing. This is where the hitter "just misses" too many pitches that he should drive.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Kyle Grucci on July 10, 2011 at 11:26pm

Any drills to help correct this?

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Jim Rickon on July 11, 2011 at 1:21am

There are many drills for these things. Which part are you asking about?

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by J Edwards on July 11, 2011 at 1:26am

I believe its an Uncoiling issue. Related to the things you mention above Jim. When a hitter uncoils to soon he has a tendency to foul balls straight back.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Jim Rickon on July 11, 2011 at 1:33am

Very true. We work to find the root cause as well. Why did he uncoil too soon? Why did he foul off that pitch but he hammered the same pitch his last at-bat?

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by J Edwards on July 11, 2011 at 1:37am

Could be related to speed of pitch, type of pitch, location of pitch. But ultimately its a hitters in ability to remain coiled with his rear hip long enough in the swing process. He doesn't nail the thrust correctly by being on time with his inward rotation of his rear leg related to separation between upper and lower.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Jim Rickon on July 11, 2011 at 1:40am

I agree. Every situation (hitter) is different. They all have specific routines to prepare and keep those keys in check.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Kyle Grucci on July 11, 2011 at 10:56am

Just getting underneath the ball instead of hitting it square.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by J Edwards on July 11, 2011 at 12:05pm

Kyle. Could be because of your barrel plane as well. You could be to steep or to lofted.

 

Are you getting your barrel on plane this deep? If not then this could be your set back related to getting underneath the ball.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Joel Hartman on August 29, 2011 at 1:18am

JR Edwards- where'd you get that X-MO video from?

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by J Edwards on August 29, 2011 at 8:17am

LOL. The TV.

• ▶ Reply

• ‹ Previous
• 1
• 2
• 3
• Next ›
• Page