- May 12, 2013
- 88
- 6
Is there any drills besides the obvious of just pitching slower to them in the cage to help with them adjusting their timing to hit slower pitching? Seems like everyone has this problem but no solutions.
At the "A" level in 16u I have a pitcher that throws a 45 MPH change up on the outside corner. Every time for a strike. We throw this pitch multiple times in an at bat (sometimes every pitch). We are betting on three things.
1. You haven't built in the resistance to hit a change-up;
2. You aren't disciplined enough to let the outside pitch get deep enough (hit it to opposite filed);
3. You don't have three batters in a row that can hit it effectively.
I find it fascinating that so many batters let this pitch go (for a called strike). We follow that pitch with another outside change-up (and another). Either you can hit it or you can't. We even call the same number every time (wristbands)...because it doesn't matter if you know it's coming. Either you know how (trained for it) to hit it or you don't. We sprinkle in fastballs outside of the strike zone to keep you honest.
Start by alternating fast and slow - tell them it is coming. FB - toss, CU - toss, FB - toss, CU - toss.....
Later progress to random, that is don't tell them and mix it up.
Start by alternating fast and slow - tell them it is coming. FB - toss, CU - toss, FB - toss, CU - toss.....
Later progress to random, that is don't tell them and mix it up.
It's a start.....Unfortunately, this doesn't fix the mechanical swing flaw
How do you build resistance into your swing ?