Swing Level to the Pitch - Not the Ground

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The "Level" Swing

traing effectively for baseball using the wiffle ball

Swing level to the pitch - not level to the ground

I think it was Ted Williams who is commonly quoted as stating that a level swing is level to the pitch - not the ground. The pitcher is on a mound that is 18" above the ground. His release point is somewhere above his head (varies from pitcher to pitcher), and he just may be throwing a knee high strike. Why would a hitter swing "level to the ground" on such a pitch? If a hitter were to swing level to the ground on a knee high pitch he would not only look ridiculous, but would not be on the plane with the pitch. The bat would be intersecting with the ball for only a short moment requiring absolutely perfect timing to hit the ball well.

Swinging on the plane with the pitch

To swing on the same plane with the incoming pitch will improve your chances of striking the ball squarely and is far more "forgiving" the longer the bat is on the plane with the pitch.

The pitch is coming in on a downward angle

Even on a high strike at the letters, the pitch is coming in to the hitter on a downward angle. On a low strike at the knees, the pitch is on a much greater downward angle. Swinging level to the pitch is an upward swing anywhere in the strike zone.

Backward Tilt

Good hitting will have the hitter "sitting" on a bent back leg with the body tilted backward slightly. This backward tilt itself will get the bat going upward.

Swing down? on the ball???

I have mentioned in another article that there is a school of thought in the world of baseball that insists that a hitter should actually swing down on the ball. They state that the barrel of the bat should never drop below the ball. They even put forth the theory that by swinging down on the ball you will put backspin (as in ping pong or tennis) on the ball (causing the ball to go upward ??? ) and hit the ball farther.

While the swing down on the ball proponents try to convince the rest of us to "ground out", most thinking coaches and hitters know they would be better served swinging level to the pitch.

Learn Rotational Hitting Mechanics.

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Rotational swing mechanics used by the best Major League baseball players

Dvd with Instructional drill booklet.

Learn more..........

Polyball Batting Practice

The most practical way to improve your hitting skill. Serious batting practice - at home. (indoors or outdoors.) Fast balls, curve balls and sliders. Don't waste another coin at a commercial batting cage. Great for all ages and skill levels.

"If you are not doing Polyball Batting Practice -You are probably not taking enough batting practice"

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