SB45
Dad, Coach, Chauffeur
I think it is kind of timing, but I believe it is more lack of movement. Especially the young players you described, tend to stand still...recognize the pitch and then start their swing. It's not usually that their swing is too slow, that they lack the timing, they don't see the ball, etc... It may be mechanics, especially if they drop their hands. But if the mechanics are okay, I would look at their hands as the pitch is approaching. If they are waiting to make a negative move until they recognize the pitch...they likely don't make it to contact in time. I explain it like this...at some point during the pitch you make a decision to swing. You are always faster to react if you are moving. At that point in time when you make that decision to swing, if you are not moving, you will be slower to the ball. At the point when you decide to swing you should be in the middle (end) of a negative movement with your hands...they are moving away from the pitcher usually while your front foot is striding forward. Point is you are moving and your hands are getting ready to swing. Every pitch. The decision is NOT whether or not you swing at that pitch...it is whether or not you finish the process you have started. This is a very simplified way of looking at it, and is skipping a ton of details. At that age, I wouldn't go into details anyway. The points should be...you will be quicker if you are moving...as the pitcher is stepping towards you, you should be stepping towards her and most importantly, your hands should be separating from your body away from the pitcher in a slow, controlled movement...ready for a fast, aggressive reaction to the ball. I find if you get young hitters hands moving on every pitch...they have very little trouble getting to faster pitchers and they hit much better...unfortunately, they lack control to stop the movement and they swing at more bad pitches too. I would prefer the over aggressiveness and try to learn to control it, than a girl not able to hit anything or standing there watching strikes.