Hitting two handed fly balls

[Northball]

I have never seen a ball with two hands. If I did, I would probably panic and hit it, too.

If I could add audio to an emoji, there would be a very loud groan with it.

 

[erniekru]

there was a meme floating around awhile ago, in summary, "show me a team who's coach hit grounders 1 handed, and I'll show you a team that loses games". LOL

It's all in the toss and reps. Also, if right handed, learn to hold bat in left hand entire time and toss righty. 1-2000 reps and you'll get pretty good.

Absolutely love the one handed comment...

I throw with my left hand, seems easier to get consistent tosses out front and up high, YMMV!

 

[Lemond]

I saw a practice from a D1 school a while back, and after the ACs set up their part of the practice, while the athletes were finishing their setup and then warming up, all of the ACs played “fungo golf” where they picked target “holes” around the area (on and off the field) and mixed in a bunch of hitting for distance (driving) and for accuracy (putting). Holes were things like “closest to a particular pole on the fence” or “see that dark spot in the grass” or “leave it at the edge of the dirt” or “the rock on top of the hill past the OF fence.” They had a blast, and were working on skills. I imagine there was a standing bet going on, too.

 

[Gags]

There's still some value to be had with a top-spin line drive - not for every rep, but at around 12-14U, it's good to show the OFs how the different spins affect ball flight. IMO, most important "read" for an OF is to understand the ball flight on an opposite field fly balls (RF from a RHB, LF from a LHB). You can get that spin one-handed, but I've found it easier (for me, at least), to get the ball to tail using two hands. However - to the "one-handers" credit - as a RHB, I can't duplicate the effect to LF.

 

[Orange Socks]

During my coaching days I was the one handed fungo coach. It was easier when the girls were swinging 32" bats. I could hit the ball over the fence one handed, but I found out later it caused some strain on my labrum. Had to do therapy for 6 weeks and from then on started doing 2 handed. Like others have said throw up a little higher and hit out front is the key for fly balls to the OF. You know what's funny or sad. Watching a newly graduated college player trying to hit fungo to OF's. Whiff, whiff, ground balls.

 

[Gtrips07]

I've seen some coaches be able to put side spin on the ball.

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[Veryzer]

I have never seen a ball with two hands. If I did, I would probably panic and hit it, too.

Everybody knows hands are part of the bat, not the ball.


Serious advice: tennis racket.

If ever there was a time for the rimshot emoji...

there was a meme floating around awhile ago, in summary, "show me a team who's coach hit grounders 1 handed, and I'll show you a team that loses games". LOL

It's all in the toss and reps. Also, if right handed, learn to hold bat in left hand entire time and toss righty. 1-2000 reps and you'll get pretty good.

I'm left handed and worked today holding the bat with my right hand. It does work well.

During my coaching days I was the one handed fungo coach. It was easier when the girls were swinging 32" bats. I could hit the ball over the fence one handed, but I found out later it caused some strain on my labrum. Had to do therapy for 6 weeks and from then on started doing 2 handed.

While I prefer to not look like a dope, a big reason for making the change is biceps tendonitis. Hitting with one arm flares it up.

 

[Veryzer]

Higher toss and a little more out in front of you. High follow-through on the swing. Don't concentrate so hard on swinging up on the ball.

Farther out front really helped. Thanks!

 

[RADcatcher]

I have to confess that I'm a one-armed fly ball hitter. Whenever I try to hit two handed fly balls to players like the rest of the grownups, I invariably hit a sinking liner. Is there a trick to it?

Thank you for seeking help with that!

 

[CoachJD]

Serious advice: tennis racket.

I'm not saying this won't work, but I am saying that I'm going to heckle any opposing coach I see pull out a tennis racket to hit infield before a game.

The hardest part will be deciding whether to call him "McEnroe" or "Federer."