Changing to wood...

[3and0]

Well this coming weekend I have a zone tournament in Lethbridge. Its like, zone bantam championships for the best kids in alberta, and its a wood bat tournament, and its against the best kids in AB(15 year olds). From what I've heard around the grapevine there are going to be some scouts there, and alot of kids that throw heat. Playing good in this tournament is pretty important for me, because playing good will get me a spot on the team alberta prospect series team where we go to manitoba and play against the best kids in saskatchewan and manitoba.

So this tournament is obviously pretty important to me, but I will have to make a change from metal to wood. This season I've basically used wood in the cage and for BP, but metal in games. What are some tips on how to catch up to guys who throw alot harder than I'm used to, with a wooden bat, and still manage to get the sweet spot on it? The big speed increase will be due to teh fact there are AAA kids in this tournament, compared to the AA I played in my small town. I guess the speed change will be alittle bit easier to get used to because we had western canadians this weekend here and there were a few kids from saskatchewan that threw smoke. But I'm concerned about getting around on a few of these guys.

[3and0]

Also, I was wondering what model of what type of bat would be the easiest to change from, yet still good for gap type power? And company, Nothing overly expensive but nothing cheap either.

[freddy]

Also, I was wondering what model of what type of bat would be the easiest to change from, yet still good for gap type power? And company, Nothing overly expensive but nothing cheap either.

Not knowing what you used in the batting cage or what aluminum bat was used, it's not easy. However I do have some experience in this field. I would suggest a slightly larger barrel not to big "not yet". The legnth should be apx 1" shorter then your aluminum I have alot of players buying our X-71(LS 71) or X43 (LS243) in Maple. But thats just my opinion. Take it for what it's worth.
Good luck in your tourny:)

[TG Coach]

What are some tips on how to catch up to guys who throw alot harder than I'm used to, with a wooden bat, and still manage to get the sweet spot on it? The big speed increase will be due to the fact there are AAA kids in this tournament, compared to the AA I played in my small town. I guess the speed change will be a little bit easier to get used to because we had western canadians this weekend here and there were a few kids from saskatchewan that threw smoke. But I'm concerned about getting around on a few of these guys.

You can't change your swing now. You don't swing differently with wood than with metal. It you haven't been using a -3 metal bat up to now that was your mistake.

[aj9020]

Coach is right..

Speaking as a player..

Just go and play as you normally would, pick out a good pitch to drive.. Up the middle/other way. Quick hands, don't force it.. Quality swings and hit the ball hard.. If you are comforable with the bat that you use in BP, use it in the game..

For timing, remember tracking the pitcher while on deck is important.. Load early, let hands do the work. If you find that you are late, pick a spot between you and the pitcher. And at this spot, start your swing if you like the pitch..

Think positive.. If the pitcher has an good fastball, the first one that is a strike, take your hack.. If you miss one, get back in the box, he will throw another.. Take a deep breath, lock and load and throw your hands at the ball the bat head will be on the ball, that's what they teach in the majors..

As a batmaker:

Start off with a thicker handle bat.. Best model would be a 110 turning.. It's handle is about an 1" in diameter, with a medium barrel. The 271 turning is similar to metal in design.

If you have more questions, send me a PM..

-A

[BatSpinner]

There will be a few bats there to use. Not sure what length you are using, but we sent a few.

[bbfreak8]

Just some advice...I just finished my first season of college ball and played with wood the whole summer for the first time in my life. The only thing that you need to make sure of mechanically is that you really get your lower half working with a wood bat...especially with faster pitching! As AJ said, throwing your hands (or knob of the bat) to the ball is definitely true, but because wood isn't as forgiving as metal, you really have to actively use your lower half to get your hands through the zone. With metal, you can still hit the ball with power without completely using your lower half, this was the case with me. This isn't so with wood. Working on this will ALSO help you swing the metal too, so its beneficial all the way around.

I also would recommend starting out with an M110 or C271.

Good luck!

[3and0]

You can't change your swing now. You don't swing differently with wood than with metal. It you haven't been using a -3 metal bat up to now that was your mistake.

I didn't exactly have much of a choice, due to the last 12 games or so were do or die for our team

[3and0]

There will be a few bats there to use. Not sure what length you are using, but we sent a few.

Who do you work for?

[3and0]

Not knowing what you used in the batting cage or what aluminum bat was used, it's not easy. However I do have some experience in this field. I would suggest a slightly larger barrel not to big "not yet". The legnth should be apx 1" shorter then your aluminum I have alot of players buying our X-71(LS 71) or X43 (LS243) in Maple. But thats just my opinion. Take it for what it's worth.
Good luck in your tourny:)

In the cages I've been using a sam bat MMO, and a rawlings pro preffered ash, not sure what model or anything, I only used it a few times. And I switched back and forth between a demarini vexxum and a TPX omaha.

[aj9020]

The Sam Bat MMO is a good model.. it is the 110 model.. I use to have one before I start making my own bats..

Listen the the bbreak. I forgot to talk about lower half.. Good job bbfreak..

-A

[TG Coach]

I didn't exactly have much of a choice, due to the last 12 games or so were do or die for our team

You should have been using a -3 for at least the past two seasons. If my son used a 32/29 in 13U at 5'2", 105 anyone bigger can. I can't imagine you were smaller than him at fourteen. He played to win too.

[3and0]

Yeah it felt nice, felt awesome when you hit it right on the screws. I was sort of a fan of the thinner barrel a bit when I was at a camp in edmonton, I'm not sure what model it was or anything though.

[3and0]

You should have been using a -3 for at least the past two seasons. If my son used a 32/29 in 13U at 5'2", 105 anyone bigger can. I can't imagine you were smaller than him at fourteen. He played to win too.

I have used -3 the past 2 years.
Last year I was 5 foot 3 and 100 pounds playing midget, got used to catching up. This year a I'm around 5 foot 8 and 130 and use a 32/29.

[3and0]

and by the way, does anyone know what company bat spinner works for?

[aj9020]

PM Spinner...

[3and0]

I just asked because he isn't online at the moment

[CanadianKid]

The Sam Bat MMO is a good model.. it is the 110 model.. I use to have one before I start making my own bats..

Listen the the bbreak. I forgot to talk about lower half.. Good job bbfreak..

-A

Ya it's a very nice bat. 1 of my teammates purchased Reed Johnsons BP bat off his old coach who was bullpen catcher for the Jays. That kid loved that thing, and all his bats, too bad he couldn't hit:laugh:laugh

[freddy]

I just asked because he isn't online at the moment

Batspinner, I think is NY stixs
Where you tought to keep your elbows down swinging aluminum?
Is so not the same with wood, Keep elbow up.

[3and0]

Batspinner, I think is NY stixs
Where you tought to keep your elbows down swinging aluminum?
Is so not the same with wood, Keep elbow up.

nah, my dad played NCAA ball and basicall taught me my whole life to be prepared for the level after.

[freddy]

nah, my dad played NCAA ball and basicall taught me my whole life to be prepared for the level after.

Smart Father, Listens to Dad=good/smart son:)

[3and0]

he's helped me so far.

[WoodButGood]

Just some advice...The only thing that you need to make sure of mechanically is that you really get your lower half working with a wood bat...especially with faster pitching! As AJ said, throwing your hands (or knob of the bat) to the ball is definitely true, but because wood isn't as forgiving as metal, you really have to actively use your lower half to get your hands through the zone. With metal, you can still hit the ball with power without completely using your lower half, this was the case with me. This isn't so with wood. Working on this will ALSO help you swing the metal too, so its beneficial all the way around.

I also would recommend starting out with an M110 or C271.

Good luck!

Mike Epstein did a great piece in Collegiate Baseball Newspaper (http://www.baseballnews.com/) that basically said just this. Rotational hitting. His website is: http://mikeepsteinhitting.com/ You can track down his articles by clicking on the "Hitting Articles" button. I like the "Tips" page too.

One thing about going from metal to wood. I think the weight differential is mostly psychological once you've arrived at the -3 level. The hardest part is understanding that the bat isn't going to transfer power just by having fast hands and a big sweet spot. Wood sweet spot is small and since wood flexes you need the whole body in the hit.

[3and0]

Well I'm back and I'd have to agree, I usually can get some decent bombs by gettingt he bat through the zone, but with wood I would just pop it up to the rightfielder. I think that it should be mandatory when you turn around 13 or 14 for it to be wood, you have to be a good hitter to get good hits. And it makes location in pitching more important, i got some easy popfly's by jamming the hitter, or little dribblers if i got a nice pitch on the outside.

[aj9020]

You gotta remember with wood, you have to complete your swing.. With aluminum you get lazy and cutoff swing.. Your legs are very important..

[BatSpinner]

You gotta remember with wood, you have to complete your swing.. With aluminum you get lazy and cutoff swing.. Your legs are very important..


Perfect example...check swing almost 3 run homerun in the LLWS yesterday. Talk about cutting himself off.

Even the walk off swing should have been a routine fly out. He did have good tilt to go get that pitch though.

[aj9020]

Seriously, they need to push back the fence 30 feet.