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| Humble Hitter
February 15, 2010
3:53:28 PM
Entry #: 3393151
| What is it about hitting that is so contagious? Today I did about four hours of hitting lessons and it still wasn’t enough. After my last lesson I went and met up with some buddies for some batting practice.
When I was younger, I just hit. I would see the pitch and hit it. Now that I am a “hitting instructor” I find myself trying to practice what I preach. I mean, it was just a few buddies at a gym banging some balls around, but I found myself consciously trying to emulate my own lessons. As the pitch was thrown, I’d feel my foot turn and drive my knee forward, spinning my hips, and turning my shoulders. If everything didn’t line up I would be even more conscientious on the next pitch. I literally would feel every aspect of my swing. Thank God it worked. Pitch after pitch, I hit solid line drives. To be perfectly honest, it wasn’t about me at all. I wasn’t the least bit satisfied for myself. I was more concerned with whether or not the techniques I have been teaching were correct and true.
Over the last few weeks I have met some new people that are very passionate about the game of softball. On almost a daily basis we have discussed the “in’s and out’s” of hitting. We have discussed the different techniques being taught and learned by young hitters. Today, I am more convinced that what I am doing is right. My attitude has always been that I am a good hitter. If I can help young hitters feel and do what I do then they are progressing. But, there is always that feeling of doubt. Am I teaching good things? Are my students truly learning the art of hitting?
I believe hitting is somewhat technical and fundamental, but I also believe hitting is confidence. Having the confidence to attack the ball and hit it hard. Something that I often discuss with my hitters is that every perfect swing does not produce a hit and every bad swing doesn’t make an out. The truth is, hitting is very very hard. In each and every lesson I give, it is my goal to build the confidence of the hitter. I want the hitter to feel better prepared to attack the ball. The old cliche “practice makes perfect” does not apply to baseball/softball. Baseball/softball, and more specifically, hitting a lob ball, is in no way perfect. It can not be perfected. But it is contagious. That one sweet swing that drives a ball into a gap is a feeling that will bring you back for more and more.
Keep swinging
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