coachtrev writes "In youth baseball there is nothing worse or more feared than striking out looking. Coaches need to be sure hitters have different styles but need to adjust when there is two strikes. How do we decrease strikeouts?
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First we accept there is going to be strikeouts. If you can hit a round ball with a round stick 3 out of 10 times you are actually considered one of the greats. But in youth baseball we are not getting paid to work pitchers and run up counts.
Second..What is the youth baseball players hitting style? There are generally two kinds of hitters. Power hitters, who usually have a longer swing and do have a tendancy to strikeout more. We accept this because power hitters should be getting extra bases when they hit and driving in runs.
The other type is what is commonly called the contact hitter. Usually has a quick short swing and puts the ball in play a lot. They usually strike out less. As a player evaluate your style..are you trying to be a power hitter but dont have the numbers to prove it? Coaches ask yourself this question for some of your players also with high strikeout ratios.
Choke up- I generally believe if a youth baseball player needs to choke up the bat is too big. Except in the two strike situation. Choking up should help the hitter shorten his swing and gain a little more control of the bat head and increase the ability to make contact with the ball.
Swing if it is close- Dont let the umpire decide your fate. Expand your strike zone a little but not too much. Close means just that. We still dont swing at balls in the dirt or over our heads. Strike out looking is a terrible crime in baseball.
Relax - How? Remember..everyone strikes out. You cannot let fear prevent you from possibly succeeding. It just takes one and thats what you have left in a 2 strike situation.
2 strike drill - Have players line up with bats and helments on(they will be moving quickly) Count is 0/2. T
he player gets to keep swinging as long as he is making contact on anything close(over the head and in the dirt should not count) Make the pitches difficult..a little out, a little high, a little low, etc.
Once the player misses he's out and runs to the back of the line. The next player should be coming quickly.
This drill is meant to be fast paced to keep pressure on, and help the player learn to relax and take control in the box. Then put the ball in play. You can run through your lineup 2 or 3 times very quickly. Note: This drill is meant to be used in addition to your batting practice and drills. It is meant solely for putting the ball in play with two strikes.
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