Real Players Hit With WoodLet me say this up front… I do not like aluminum bats . . . but I’ll win with them. Practice with wood . . . and you’ll win with aluminum.
It’s really very simple. An aluminum bat swing can be mechanically flawed but still get results. Inflated averages & power numbers abound with huge aluminum sweet spots & tricked-out metal alloys!
But eventually bigger fields and better pitching eliminates many aluminum bat hitters well before High School . . . and it doesn’t have to be!
Allow me to explain . . . Much of
physical side of game is about: BATSPEED HANDSPEED FOOTSPEED
Much of hitting is about: TIMING & BALANCE (Strength helps too)
Wood Bats feel head-heavy, with much smaller sweet spots so any imperfections in a swing are magnified. (Are you getting picture?)
Training with wood forces player to become mechanically precise & builds bat speed and strength. Additionally, wood trains hitters to really learn strike zone and not swing at bad pitches (ever hit one off end or handle? . . . it hurts… and many times it breaks!)
To successfully swing with wood…
Trigger hands earlier into load position Keep your hands inside ball (meaning hands closer to body throughout swing to make for a quick rotation to ball) Stick with it until your muscle memory acclimates to this new weapon. #1 Defined Dead Hands Kill Players! The first thing a hitter must do is take away pitcher's fastball. In general, that is a pitcher's best pitch. From Clemens, Johnson, Martinez & Maddux, to baddest pitcher in your league. Spot fastball and you are a real pitcher. Ok, hitter what are you going to do about it? You’re going to crush it… that’s what!
Hands Start The Swing! Start your swing with your hands (it’s your timing mechanism). . . and you can time a jet or a fastball! Call it a trigger, load or hitch, it’s all same. Just get some movement from your hands starting when pitcher separates his hands from his glove with a movement toward back shoulder.
