| Helping young players get out of hitting slumps can be | | | | hitter should analyze the results of the hitters' at-bats |
| difficult. Young baseball players do not have the | | | | to see what tendencies have developed. Usually, |
| high-tech video and expert coaches that the major | | | | hitters who are slumping, will be hitting too many |
| league hitters utilize, and even major league hitters | | | | ground balls or too many pop ups. After figuring out |
| have difficulty breaking out of hitting slumps. | | | | these tendencies, the following are some quick fixes |
| Additionally, young ball players don't have long term | | | | coaches can try to get the hitter back on track. |
| contracts so a prolonged slump could easily ruin their | | | | For the hitter who is hitting too many ground balls: |
| average, season or worse, give them a nice seat on | | | | 1. Lower the hitter's hands an inch or two. |
| the bench. Often, kids have many well-wishing people | | | | 2. Have the hitter widen their stance a few inches and |
| who offer advice on hitting during these times. Soon, | | | | bend knees a little more (Think Carlos Quentin Stance). |
| however, the "try this/try that" information overwhelms | | | | 3. Place a batting tee at the hitter's knees and right |
| the young hitters and confusion follows. The number | | | | down the middle - hitter hits until they can consistently |
| one thing coaches can do to help is to keep the | | | | hit line drives back through the middle. Do not let the |
| players optimistic, letting them know that the hitting | | | | hitter settle for ground balls, even if they are solid. |
| slump is temporary and the end of it is near. Some | | | | 4. Make sure the hitter's rear leg has a good angle at |
| words of advice like the following can help: | | | | contact - legs form a capital A at contact, not a V. |
| 1. Do not get yourself out by swinging at bad pitches. | | | | For hitters who are popping everything up, the opposite |
| 2. You are only one swing away from putting it all | | | | "quick fix" solutions can help: |
| together. | | | | 1. Raise the hitter's hands an inch or two |
| 3. The results will be there if you stay focused on the | | | | 2. Shorten the distance between the feet when the |
| fundamentals and timing in practice, and on the ball in | | | | hitter is in their stance so they are standing taller with |
| games. | | | | little knee bend (Think Ken Griffey Jr. Stance) |
| 4. Your confidence may not be high, but never give up | | | | 3. Set a batting tee at the hitters chest or slightly higher |
| hope. | | | | - hitter hits until there are no pop ups - ideally, hitting line |
| 5. There will be times when no one thinks you will get | | | | drives the same height as the ball level. |
| a hit, but always believe in yourself. | | | | 4. Make sure the hitter is transferring their weight with |
| 6. Remember the good at-bats and forget the bad | | | | their heel on their rear foot facing the sky at contact. |
| ones. | | | | Bigger Problems |
| 7. No one will remember if you make an out with the | | | | Obviously, hitters who are not making contact or are |
| game on the line but everyone will remember if you | | | | only hitting foul balls, have bigger fundamental issues. |
| get the game winning hit, so you have nothing to lose. | | | | The first thing to do to help these hitters is to make |
| 8. Remember, the pitcher is nervous too. | | | | sure it is not just a timing issue. If the hitter is always |
| Of course, these positive words can help for a while | | | | swinging late, challenge them with greater speeds in |
| but often, the player's mechanics need adjusting. | | | | batting practice. Likewise, for hitters who are swinging |
| Generally, in-season is not the time to make major | | | | too early, use slow pitches during batting practice. |
| swing changes because major changes need a great | | | | Generally, the hitters' timing will improve with these |
| deal of repetition and time to become habits. Often, | | | | speed changes and they will start making consistent |
| some small tweaks to the hitter's stance or setup can | | | | contact. If this doesn't help, major swing fundamental |
| make the difference, especially for hitters who are | | | | changes may be necessary and there is probably |
| making contact, but not solid contact. The coach and | | | | nothing to lose by starting those changes immediately. |