Bailing with the stride foot

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May 6, 2014
532
16
Low and outside
13-yo lefty DS, first year on the big baseball diamond. In the cage he has a good swing and is not afraid of any pitch (the other night he tried to clear out a ball that was obviously going to hit him and fouled it off his face). At game time, he shies away from the inside pitch and lately is bailing toward the first base line with his stride foot. He's pretty discouraged. Any and all suggestions welcome.
 
Oct 11, 2010
8,337
113
Chicago, IL
It is hard when cage swing is different then game swing.

For practice you can have them stand on board, games video might be best luck.

(Another swing thougt might to be to kill the P, not literally but he should get the idea.)
 
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May 6, 2014
532
16
Low and outside
How about a cage on his batting helmet?

I'm starting to see those on the baseball diamond this year, including most hitters on a 10U team the other night. DD had a hard time finding one she could see around and wound up with the Rip-It. Not sure he'd buy into it. These mental barriers are the worst.
 
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May 12, 2016
4,338
113
This has worked for several of my girls last year when I coached. We practiced no stride ... I am not saying change to no stride permanently. But it worked for the girls because they lifted their heel and just brought it back down again, which means they didn't bail on the pitch. When they have confidence back up and start hitting the inside pitch, they can work their stride back into their swing. Expect some of push back, it will be uncomfortable for them at first. I am not a hitting instructor, just sharing something that worked for us. Good Luck
 
Oct 11, 2010
8,337
113
Chicago, IL
DD's finger was broke by a pitch and she started bailing out all the time, we switched her to no stride to stop her from bailing out.

Pulhos used to be a heel dropper, not sure if he still is or not.
 
Jun 8, 2016
16,118
113
Not a bad example here



Her swing certainly works but doesn't it seem like she shifts her weight onto her front foot too early? I saw her play at OU last Fall for whatever pro team she is on now and she
got fooled badly on a couple of changeups. Of course she also hit a HR in that game so who am I to complain...:p
 
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