HItting Fundamentals | Three Stances and Vision

As it relates to your stance, seeing the ball better means how you initially stand in the batter’s box to look out at the pitcher. There are basically three different types of stance. The neutral stance is one where your feet are square to the plate. This means that they are an equal distance from the plate. A stance like this affords you a good, comfortable look at the pitcher without straining yourself or otherwise becoming uncomfortable in the batter’s box. Most Major League hitters use a neutral stance. Ken Griffey, Jr., for one. Remember, we are only talking about how you place your feet in the batter’s box. We want to build that solid foundation from the ground up.

The second stance, and also a very popular one with Major League hitters, is theclosed stance. On the closed stance, the foot closest to the pitcher’s mound is placed slightly closer to home plate than the other foot. The key word here is slightly. You can overdo most anything, and getting too closed with your stance will definitely hamper your hitting. The great Tony Gwynn believes this is probably the best stance for most hitters.

The open stance is just the opposite. The foot closest to the mound is pulled away from home plate. Jay Buhner of the Mariners is one of the more notable hitters that uses the open stance. Fewer Major League hitters use this stance, because of the obvious distance it takes you from the hitting zone. An open stance requires you to do more during the time the pitch is on its way to the plate, in order to get in the proper hitting position. More on that later.

So, which stance is right for you? Well, each one has its advantages. Before you choose one though, I’d like you to take a little test. Because it is important to see the ball well, we need to find out which of your eyes is the dominant eye. The dominant eye is the one that does the majority of the work when you look at something. It sends the messages to the brain about where the ball is as it relates to the space around you. Your other eye does the same thing, but your dominant eye sends more precise information. Remember, you want every advantage on your side, not the pitcher’s.

Extend your hand out in front of you with your thumb up as though you are giving a friend the "thumbs up" or "good job, way to go," sign. With both eyes open, pick an object about twenty feet away from you and position your thumb so that the end of it covers that object. Now, close your left eye. Did your thumb seem like it moved over to the left? If it did, your left eye is your dominant eye. If nothing happened and your thumb is still covering the object, close your right eye. Did your thumb seem to have jumped over to the right? If so, your right eye is the dominant eye.

Why is all of this important to you? The answer is simple, you want to make use of your dominant eye when you are hitting. Choosing the proper stance to help put that dominant eye to work is important. Ideally, your dominant eye would be the one closest to the pitcher. The left eye for the right handed batter, the right eye for the left handed batter. Unfortunately, most people are just the opposite. Right handed batters generally are right eye dominant and vice-versa.

Having your dominant eye closer to the pitcher contributes to better tracking of the ball to the hitting zone. This is one of the factors that helps explain why switch hitters hit better from one side or the other. Not having this luxury does not mean you can’t be a good hitter.
What it means is, by knowing which eye sends the more precise messages to the brain, you should position yourself so that you see the ball with that eye.

This is the reason most Major League hitters choose the neutral position as their stance of choice. I doubt, however, that many of them consciously know which of their eyes is dominant. It probably came about from years of trial and error and they finally settled on that position because they felt they saw the ball better. You can wipe out years of trial and error just by knowing which of your eyes sees the ball better! From the neutral stance, you can position your head comfortably enough over your front shoulder to use both eyes to see the ball, bringing your dominant eye into play. This is known as binocular, using both eyes.

Obviously, the open stance gives you an even greater use of both eyes. The reason it is not employed as often by great hitters, is that the trade off for good vision and the increased amount of things you need to do to get in the proper hitting position is simply not worth it. The less complicated your swing is, the more successful you are apt to be. Again, more on this later.

The closed stance has advantages. If you can comfortably position your head over the front shoulder to utilize the vision from both eyes, you can take advantage of the increased plate coverage you get from this stance. Stan Musial, one of the great hitters of all time, used a slightly closed stance. If you were to look at him from the pitcher’s mound during his stance, you might think his neck was made of rubber his head was turned so far over his front shoulder. Needless to say, he saw the ball very well, and he hit the ball very well.

To sum this section up; since we are building a good hitter a little at a time, pick a stance that affords you the best opportunity to see the ball well. Taking into consideration which of your eyes sends the more accurate messages to the brain. You need to give that computer up there the proper information if you want to be successful at one of the more difficult physical acts in sports.

Rangers vs. Yankees | Game 1 ALCS

Claw & Antlers vs. Pinstripe Prestige

The Rangers have reached the ALCS and are looking to getting past the Yankees. Although the Yankees had a better overall season record than the Rangers - - so did the Rays.

Ranger fans are excited and excited to the fact that they may not know how to behave. When the Rays took an early two run lead in the division series games, that crowd went silent. When fans expect to lose, they back down, once something doesn't go their team's way.

The Yankee fans - expect their team to be in a championship series - heck they even expect them to be in the world series - not just this year, but every year. So when the other team gets a two run lead - the Yankee fans know to get louder and show more support.

The game 1 'probable' pitching matchup is CJ Wilson vs. CC Sabathia. CJ Wilson - Cliff Lee's apprentice - has come a long way this season and all the thanks to Cliff Lee's mentoring. We all need somebody to be like to follow and CJ Wilson found that in Lee. CC Sabathia - winning machine - when he toes the rubber, the rest of his teams feels the need to win. Win any way they can - it was extremely evident in the series vs. Twins - as when Sabathia pitched - the Yankees found a way, any way to win.

For more official mlb.com coverage - click here

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Catcher Blocking Drill

Description 
This is an incredibly simple but extremely valuable drill.

Catchers have a lot of roles to play on the field. They help the pitcher, command the defense, and also serve as the stalwart defenders of home plate. The catcher is effectively the first line of defense on every play, and the last line of defense whenever the opponent threatens to score.

Blocking wild pitches is therefore an extremely valuable skill for every catcher to have. Effectively preventing passed balls can stop runners from advancing and scoring while also giving the pitcher more confidence in breaking balls and borderline pitches.

Age Appropriate
10+

Problem
Even the best pitchers get a little wild sometimes. Other times, the situation just calls for a curveball in the dirt or a hard slider low and away. Whether intentionally wild or not, pitchers need to know they’ve got a wall behind that plate. Catchers need to be drilled in the proper way to block a ball.

Drill Objective
There’s no better way to teach a catcher than to just put him in the crouch and start chucking balls in the dirt.

Set-up
Catching gear, bucket of baseballs.

Executing the Drill
Put your catcher behind the plate in full gear – don’t forget the mask. Stand about 30 feet away with a bucket of baseballs.

One ball at a time, deliberately throw pitches in the dirt so the catcher must drop and block.

Reinforce the fundamentals – drop to the knees, get behind the ball, corral the ball and try to deaden it, keep the head down and locate the ball as soon as possible. Some young catchers will be afraid of the ball and might turn their faces away just as the ball comes in. Make sure you help your players overcome that fear, the mask is there for a reason and your catchers will do a better job if they keep their eyes open and focused on the ball.

Encourage excellence. The goal here is not to simply stop the ball from getting by the catcher. The best catchers bring wild pitches under control. They knock the ball straight down in front and they are quick to pick the ball up. When runners on base can see the ball has stopped in front of the catcher, they are less likely to risk taking an extra base.

Make it FunAn easy way to make this drill more fun, turn it into a game. We call it the "Goalie Game" and its pretty self-explanatory. If you have more than one catcher, pit your catchers against each other.

Create a "goal" area for each catcher to guard. Now, have the catchers take turns throwing balls in the dirt at each other. Every time a catcher fails to block a ball thrown within the goal area, the other catcher scores a point. As your catchers develop their skills, expand the goal area to make this drill more challenging.

Advanced
When pitchers begin throwing breaking balls and other off-speed pitches, catchers need to practice how to block those pitches as well. All you need to do is incorporate those pitches into this same drill. Throw the ball with some spin on it, try different grips, and change speeds.

This will help your catcher develop a sense for how the ball reacts when it hits the dirt with some extra movement on it. The bounce of a fastball is pretty straightforward, but breaking balls can react much more erratically.

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Excitement in North Texas - Rangers! Rangers! Rangers!

Rangers Lose 6-3 to Rays | Series now 2-1 Rangers

The Rays had some good pitching from Garza - but the story in yesterday's game was John Jaso's two RBI hit in the eighth inning which gave the Rays their first lead in the series.
[Read more about this game here]

Electric in the Air
What I really wanted to talk about is the excitement in this town for the Rangers. I spend my time in the evenings coaching baseball for individuals, small groups and teams, which allows me the opportunity to talk baseball, mostly Ranger, with kids, parents and other coaches. The Rangers and Rays did not have the best game times at all on Wednesday and Thursday, however there were still quite a lot of folks finding ways to follow (watch live tv, game trackers, radio, internet radio, etc.) the games.

Youth Players in School
Unfortunately games 1 and 2 were played in the middle of the day when most youth Ranger fans were in school. With some youth players - they went to technology to follow the game. Some took a little bit more time at their lockers with their smart phone devices - launching game tracker to follow the Rangers. Some players even had access to live game via the paid version of 'MLB At-Bat'.

What I also heard - which is just great - some teachers put the Rangers game on in their classrooms - so youth fans could watch and be part of the excitement.

Back to Arlington
How much excitement is in the air around North Texas and the Rangers? A record crowd of 51,746 were at Saturday's game, enjoying 80 degree weather and the Ranger's jumping out to a early one run lead in the third inning and held that lead until the sixth. As much as it would have been great to see the Rangers win to move onto the 'championship' series - it is just as great that 'MORE' Rangers fans will get a chance to experience post season atmosphere at 'The Ballpark in Arlington' today.

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Developing Range

What exactly does it mean for a player to have “range”?

It’s a word that comes to define middle-infielders like us, and it’s an attribute every player strives to improve while tracking down the ball on the diamond. So what does “range” really mean? Is it strictly a physical trait? Is it another name for speed? How do you measure range?


Let’s start with a simple definition of range in baseball terms: range is the amount of space a player can cover to successfully make a defensive play.


From this we can see the value in having a great deal of range. Players who have the ability to cover more ground can make more plays, getting more outs for their team by turning would-be hits into routine outs.


Many interpret range as a purely physical trait though, equating range to the speed that allows a player to cover a larger area in less time. We’ll admit, speed is definitely a big part of expanding your range on the diamond, but there are some other ways you can become an asset to your team by making plays that may otherwise have been hits.


Hustling is the easiest thing to do in baseball, and any player can run hard. The best players don’t just run hard though, they run smart. Every ballplayer should work on improving their speed, but use these tips to develop your range with more than just speed, and gain an advantage over your competition.

Positioning for the Batter

Don’t just waltz out to your position and stand where you always do. Pay attention to each batter as your team moves through the opponent’s line-up. There’s a lot to learn from foul balls and hits alike.

Is the batter consistently swinging late? Begin to shade that batter as if he’ll hit to the opposite field.

Is the batter constantly getting ahead of the ball and launching deep fly balls down the foul line? Shift over and play that hitter to pull with some power.


Is the batter fouling balls straight back? Look for that hitter to get under the ball and lift a pop-fly.
As your team moves through the opponent’s line-up a second time, remember what each batter did in their first at-bat and make adjustments based on the information you have stored. Don’t expect each batter to do the exact same thing each time they come to the plate, but position yourself a step or two in whatever direction the hitter seems to hit most consistently.


That step or two can be the difference between a hit and a great defensive play.

Positioning for the Pitch

For middle infielders and the center fielder, it’s important to watch the catcher’s signs on every pitch. The players at short, second and center are expected to cover the most ground and they will make the most plays. Every hitter wants to hit to the big part of the field, and that’s right up the middle. As a result, shortstops, second baseman, and center fielders that possess great range are invaluable to any team.


Knowing the pitcher’s strategy can give each of those positions a better chance to make a play. When the catcher calls for a fastball, expect the batter to be a little more behind the ball, perhaps hitting up the middle or away. When an off-speed pitch is called, expect the batter to get ahead of the ball, perhaps pulling a weak grounder.


You should develop a good understanding of what your pitcher throws and the types of swings it forces opponents to take. Many young players will go out and simply man their position without giving a single thought to the count or what pitch is coming next. These are the players who get caught off guard when a ball comes their way.


Don’t just coast through the game, focus your attention on each and every pitch and you’ll find that you are more prepared to make every play you can.

Taking the Right Angle

Many fielders make a mental error by taking an improper angle on the ball in play. This results in dropped fly-balls or groundballs that roll past the defenseman.


You always want to get behind the baseball first. Taking a sharp angle to cut the ball off is really only warranted at the most extreme limits of your range, where you have no other way to get to the ball. Otherwise, you should get around the ball, which allows you to get into the proper fielding position. On groundballs, this is with a wide base, your butt down, and your hands out in front. On a fly-ball, position yourself so you can catch the ball in front of your body, with your momentum moving forward towards your target in the infield.


By getting behind the ball, you increase your chances of making a play because everything is happening in front of you, where you can see it.

First-Step Quickness

Young players often complicate their footwork by adding unnecessary steps. These additional steps reduce the player’s range because they are taking more steps without covering any more ground.


The cross-over step is the most important step in baseball. It allows a player to change direction quickly and to cover a lot of ground in very few steps. But young players typically falter by moving the wrong foot first. Watch out when one of your players crosses over to go right, and the player makes an initial small step with the right foot and then crosses over with the left leg. That’s two steps – one small one, and one full stride.


Help that player execute the crossover properly. The initial movement is a pivot, not a step. The first real step, then, is the crossing of the left leg over the right one, and the second step becomes another full stride for the right leg in the direction of the ball. Two steps, two full strides and the player has covered twice as much ground.

Conclusion

You don't have to be one of the fastest guys on the team. What you lack in raw foot-speed, you can make up for with strategies like the ones above. You run as hard as you can, but run smart.


By taking in a wealth of information on every pitch and during every at-bat, you can position yourself in such a way that plays that would normally push the limits of your range became routine.


Nothing works faster than your brain. While the speed of your legs is limited, your brain’s quickness can help you get into a great position to track down balls which you would not normally get.

Every EXPERT started as a BEGINNER

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Divison Series 2010 | Day 2

One More....One More....and Only One | Questionable Calls


The Rangers and the Yankees just need one more game to win a division series and the Giants only needed one run behind a Lincecum shut out.


The Rangers beat the Rays 6-0 with some solid pitching from CJ Wilson and get run support from a three-run homer by Michael Young and Ian Kinsler's homer. CJ Wilson went 6 1/3, allowing only two hits and two walks while striking out seven. A questionable check swing call in the fifth inning during Michael Young's at-bat - which he would then go yard for a three run homer.
[More on Rangers vs. Rays Game 2 @ mlb.com]


The Yankees win last night over the Twins 5-0 behind a tie breaker double and a homer by Lance Berkman. Petite...well - he was just 'Playoff' Petite going seven innings, allowing two runs on five hits with a walk and four strikeouts. In the Lance Berkman at-bat that he hit the tie breaker double, there was a questionable call on a 1-2 pitch on the inside corner, which allowed Berkman to continue his at-bat and hit a double scoring Jorge Posada.
[More on Yankees vs. Twins Game 2 @ mlb.com]


The Giants win a tight one over the Braves 1-0 where pitching and defense were the highlight and focus. Tim Lincecum and Derek Lowe pitched outstanding and the only thing to separate the two was the Brave's defense as they committed two errors. Lincecum pitched a complete game allowing only two hits and set a franchise post season record with 14 strikeouts. Licencum's battery mate, Buster Pose, scored the only run from second base on a base hit by Cody Ross. Posey ended up on second base after being called safe on what appeared to be a 'striking 'um out - throw 'um out' double play.
[More on Giants vs. Braves Game 1 @ mlb.com]


Games continue today - check out the schedule @ mlb.com

Every EXPERT started as a BEGINNER

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Divison Series 2010 | Day 1

Rangers Win....No Hitter....Yankee Rally

In opening day of the MLB postseason there was a surprise, a record and team grit. It was an excellent day for baseball and and excellent day for a baseball student.

The Rangers and Rays started the day off, with the Rangers winning 5-1 behind solid pitching and timely hitting. Cliff Lee had 10 strikeouts in seven innings, only giving up one run and got run support with a pair of homers by Cruz & Molina and a pair of RBI doubles by Francoeur and Guerrero.
[More on Rangers vs. Rays Game 1 @ mlb.com]

The Phillies and Reds continued the day and kept all on the edge of there seats as 'Doc' Halladay throws a no hitter for the Phillies to win 4-0. Halladay only allowed one baserunner when he walked Jay Bruce on a 3-2 count in the fifth inning. Not only did Halladay spot all his pitches and keep the hitters off balance, he threw 25 of 28 first pitch strikes. This is only the second no hitter thrown in post season history.
[More on Phillies vs. Reds Game 1 @ mlb.com]

The Yankees and Twins closed the night out with a back-n-forth game, with the Yanks rallying and a foul pole scrapping two-run homerun by Teixeira to take and keep the lead and Yanks win 6-4. Sabathia grinded even though he got behind early in the game and the offense supported him, getting four runs in the sixth. He gave up one run in the bottom of the sixth, but later in the game the two-run homer by Teixeira sealed the deal.
[More on Yankees vs. Twins Game 1 @ mlb.com]

Games continue today - check out the schedule @ mlb.com

Every EXPERT started as a BEGINNER

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Texas Rangers vs. Tampa Bay Rays

Well....who would've thunk it....not I.

But in any case this is going to be a very good match up and to get it going, you've got Cliff Lee and David  Price. Price being a very well deserving Cy Young candidate and Lee...well just being Lee - only 18 walks all season.

All the division series will be great, however this one will be the best. These are two teams that have everything to gain, just by being here and everything to prove by winning.

If you have checked online to try and get tickets for Saturday's game in Texas...forget it - you should have pre-order those the day the Rangers clinched the title.

For information about this matchup....check out the article at mlb.com.

Every EXPERT started as a BEGINNER

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