View Full Version : I need advice...
Turn2132
05-24-2007, 06:40 PM
I really need some help. I started 1st this year on JV. The first few games I was crushing the ball with a triple and 2 doubles with some RBI's. I was batting in the 1-4 slots. A little later in the season, I fell into a slump. I was striking out, grounding out, and walking. My coach eventually dropped me down to the number 8 hole. Now JV is over and I'm am playing recreational league baseball. My slump carried over. I can't see the ball at the plate, I'm watching strikes go by that I know are strikes but I just can't swing. I am very unconfident with myself. All I can do now is strike out or walk with the occasional single with an error. I would just like to get my swing back and prove to my coaches that I should be back in the 1-4 slots. Could you please give me some advice to get me back into shape?
Jake Patterson
05-24-2007, 06:51 PM
I really need some help. I started 1st this year on JV. The first few games I was crushing the ball with a triple and 2 doubles with some RBI's. I was batting in the 1-4 slots. A little later in the season, I fell into a slump. I was striking out, grounding out, and walking. My coach eventually dropped me down to the number 8 hole. Now JV is over and I'm am playing recreational league baseball. My slump carried over. I can't see the ball at the plate, I'm watching strikes go by that I know are strikes but I just can't swing. I am very unconfident with myself. All I can do now is strike out or walk with the occasional single with an error. I would just like to get my swing back and prove to my coaches that I should be back in the 1-4 slots. Could you please give me some advice to get me back into shape?
We need some clips.
Turn, it sounds like you're either not striding or not making visual release pickup. True?
Turn2132
05-24-2007, 07:04 PM
Really, I don't know what is happening with my swing. All I know is that it feels very uncomfortable, not natural. I'm doing very well in BP just not making good contact during the game. I also get extremely nervous before an at bat. I don't even know why because I know that I can hit they guy. My nerves just take over and make me freeze at the plate I guess.
Turn2132
05-24-2007, 07:05 PM
Yes, you are right. I have a lot of trouble making visual release pickup.
Turn,
Nervous? You do that to yourself. At least two batters ahead of your turn up, stop cheering, chatter, razzing etc. Quiet yourself down. Take a last deep breath (nasal) then exhale easily (orally). Then inhale 50-60% loads, slightly growl it out AND concentrate on the sound and feel of it all. Exclude the world, concentrate on your senses, and keep it up through your turn at bat. Separate yourself from the world that way cause you go to bat alone and you want it to be between you and the ball.
Remember that nerves was discovered in the dictionary by a dried up old librarian in 1887, got nothing to do with you.
Jake Patterson
05-24-2007, 07:44 PM
Really, I don't know what is happening with my swing. All I know is that it feels very uncomfortable, not natural. I'm doing very well in BP just not making good contact during the game. I also get extremely nervous before an at bat. I don't even know why because I know that I can hit they guy. My nerves just take over and make me freeze at the plate I guess.
Many times when a young batter goes in a slump they go to the plate thinking defensively versus offensively.
Are you looking to swing on every pitch? It's a lot easier to hit when you're thinking yes, yes, no versus no, no, yes....
Make sense?
Turn2132,
slumps are about incorrect timing. The effects from this can very but mostly mental. The loading, the cocking, and the fireing is off. How do you load the body? Who do immulate(copy) the motions of the best.
EL,
TG Coach
05-24-2007, 08:39 PM
Yes, you are right. I have a lot of trouble making visual release pickup.
Have you opened your stance? You may see the ball better. Without clips it's hard to tell about your mechanics. One thing is forget last week, forget yesterday and think confidence.
Turn2132
05-31-2007, 06:27 PM
I don't know what to do. I tried opening my stance, loading earlier, and thinking that I am going to hit the ball every pitch. I am finally making some contact but I am not hitting it soldily for a base hit. I'm 2 for 11 and need some help. I'm sorry for not having any clips, can't really get any right now.
I don't know what to do. I tried opening my stance, loading earlier, and thinking that I am going to hit the ball every pitch. I am finally making some contact but I am not hitting it soldily for a base hit. I'm 2 for 11 and need some help. I'm sorry for not having any clips, can't really get any right now.
When I used to get into slumps I would think hitting the ball middle away. I would do my best to try and use the whole field in my attempt to hit. I know most great hitters I talk with express the same strategy. My advise to you would be get extra batting practice. Make sure you have someone that can throw strikes. This is the key to good batting practice. Once you have consistent pitches that allow you to work, start working middle away. This allows the hitter to wait longer for the pitch. This is key when working on getting in good positions to hit. I hit best when I took my game to the plate and worked middle away. This is a must for hitters. I once spoke with Julio franco in spring training I was just a young buck. I ask Julio to watch me take batting practice. I mean I hit the snot out of the ball. I noticed Julio shaking his head and walking away. My confidence was pretty high after this batting practice. I hit most balls of the fence or out. I also pulled most balls to left field. I approached Julio to get his thoughts on my swing. I ask what did you think. I got a wake up call very fast. Julio said you will never make a living in the big leauges like that. I said what did you say didn't you watch me? Julio smiled and said kid you have to think there is $100 dollar bills laying all over the field, Why would you want to make a living on half the field. This made me think a lot. I understood a hitter needs a lot of space to drop a hit in. This changed my whole vision on hitting. I learned that my game needed work. I had to develop into a better hitter fast or else. I took the advise I got and it paid off. I began using the whole field. I don't want you to think this just happened over night. I had a lot of work a head of me. I was a dead pull hitter up to this point. I stayed with the plan and this made me a solid hitter. The hits started falling left and right. The pitchers had a tougher time getting me out. This was the best advise I had at that time. I approached hitting thinking middle away but ready for the inside half. I made sure I developed my whole hitting game during practice. I hope this helps you and anyone else that needs help. I learned to "Practice like the Pro's" and so can you.
EL,
Jake Patterson
05-31-2007, 08:09 PM
I don't know what to do. I tried opening my stance, loading earlier, and thinking that I am going to hit the ball every pitch. I am finally making some contact but I am not hitting it soldily for a base hit. I'm 2 for 11 and need some help. I'm sorry for not having any clips, can't really get any right now.
Everything is a guess without a clip. Suggestions without seeing your swing may only make matters worse.
Jake
TG Coach
05-31-2007, 09:54 PM
I don't know what to do. I tried opening my stance, loading earlier, and thinking that I am going to hit the ball every pitch. I am finally making some contact but I am not hitting it soldily for a base hit. I'm 2 for 11 and need some help. I'm sorry for not having any clips, can't really get any right now.
Have you tried relaxing? It's not like you forgot how to play from the beginning of the season.