During the actual playing season we recommend focusing only on three things:
- See the ball longer
- Maintain your bat speed
- Rhythm and Timing
- Seeing the ball longer means seeing it as early as possible and following it all the way into the hitting area. Seeing the ball begins before the game even starts. One should watch the opposing pitcher warmup, find his release window where the ball comes out his hand and notice where most of his pitchers end up (high or low, in or out). There is no sense looking for a pitch he cannot get over or a location where he never throws. Say “BALL” when it comes out his hand, and “POP” when it hits your bat. You should have his fastball timing before you ever come to bat. Your eyes work like a land camera rather than a movie camera. Your eyes take a picture every 6-7 feet. If you don’t pick the ball up at release you may take two or three clicks before you pick it up clearly.
Follow the ball all the way into the contact area and in BP try to keep your head still and eyes in the contact area for a two count.
2. Maintaining your bat speed means maintaining your visual skills and your physical strength. The bat must feel light in your hands, so we recommend a lifting maintenance program that you do in the morning or after the game don’t leave until you take some BP and leave the field feeling better.
3. Any major changes in your swing mechanics should be made in the off-season and once the season starts one must focus on timing that swing and getting into the rhythm of the pitcher. Do not break your swing down or use weighted implements during the season. Work on timing the pitcher with whatever swing you have and try to connect the barrel with the ball. Creating a crisp collision with your barrel requires a “see the ball, hit the ball” mentality and thinking “Ball-POP” blocks out everything else that might clutter one’s tracking system. Timing is rhythm, rhythm is timing! Activate your hands, activate your hips. Once your top and bottom are moving together, sync them up to the pitcher’s rhythm.
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