A
to C Pathway: A
model used to illustrate the hand path
to the ball while using a short,
compact swing. Imagine a right triangle, with one vertex at the
launch or hitch position
called “A”. A second vertex, position “C”, would be at contact. The
hands should travel down the hypotenuse of the triangle, straight to
the ball, or “A to C”. Should the hands venture out to the “B” area,
they are not taking a path straight to the inside
of the ball and are said to be “casting”,
which adds length to the swing.
Click for Illustration
acceleration:
The
rate of change of velocity. In layman’s terms, the bat head would be
“speeding up” through contact.
angular
velocity: A term used to describe the velocity of an object that
is rotating around an axis. In hitting, we are primarily concerned with
the angular velocity developed by the bat head caused by both linear
and rotary body actions.
athletic
position: A term used to describe the “ready position” of any number
of sports. The feet are outside the width of the shoulders, knees flexed,
weight forward on the balls
of the feet, chest up. The athlete is balanced
and is now ready to make an athletic move.
Click for Illustration
back
foot: The foot away from the pitcher, while taking a stance in the
batter’s box.
back
hip commitment: A term used to describe the back hip action as it
forcibly rotates toward the pitcher
to a position under the torso during the swing. The linear
action of the weight transfer
is halted by the firming up of
the front side. Pivoting
on the back foot and forcibly driving the back hip under you causes
rapid rotation of the trunk. This transfers force from the ground up,
out through the chest, arms, hands, resulting in increased bat
speed.
Click for Illustration
Click Red Dot for Drills
to Develop Back Hip Action
backside:
A term used to describe the side of the hitter that is away from the
pitcher while taking a stance.
backside
collapse: A phrase used to describe a hitter who fails to pivot
on the back foot properly, resulting in lack of back hip commitment,
and poor weight transfer. Normally, this results in a high front shoulder,
producing an uppercut type swing plane.
Click for Illustration
Click Red Dot for Drills to Correct Backside Collapse
backside
hitting: A term used to describe the direction of a batted ball
in which the hitter drives an outside pitch to the opposite field. i.e.
right-handed hitter hits the ball to right field.
backside
under you: see back hip commitment.
balance:
A term to describe a state of equilibrium of all parts of an object
about it’s center
of gravity.
Click Red Dot for Drills
to Develop balance
balance,
dynamic: A term to describe an object in balance while in motion.
balance,
static: A term to describe a stationary, or non-moving balance.
barred
arm: A term used to describe the front arm extending, or “locking
out” too early in the swing. This generally results in the hands being
forced away from the body, or casting.
This causes the front shoulder to fly open to early. Consequently, the
hands lag behind, and the barrel takes a long, sweeping
and/or looping path to the ball.
Click for Illustration
Click Red Dot for Drills
to Correct a Barred Arm
barrel:
The large end of the bat where contact should be made.
barrel
above hands: A term used in teaching that describes the position
of the barrel in relation to the hands as it approaches the ball. i.e.
keep the barrel above your hands.
Click for Illustration
Click Red Dot for Drills
to Develop a Barrel Up Approach
barrel
up: A phrase to instruct a hitter to move the bat to a more vertical
position. The term could also have a similar meaning as barrel above
the ball.
bat:
A long rigid simple machine that is used to apply a force to a ball
when struck. A bat is considered a third class lever which is favored
for developing speed at the barrel end of the lever. By proper use of
body actions, in coordination with proper hand action, the bat can develop
tremendous velocity. An example of a first class lever would be a long
pole and block used to lift your car out of a ditch which is favored
for developing power at the end lifting end. A bat consists of 5 major
parts: (1) knob, (2) handle, (3) grip, (4) barrel, (5) end cap.
Click for Illustration
bat
angle: A term that is used to describe the angle formed by the bat
and a horizontal line.
Click for Illustration
bat,
flat: see bat, horizontal.
bat,
horizontal: A term used to describe a bat position that has no bat
angle and is parallel with the ground. Starting with a horizontal or
flat bat can lead to problems in the swing. A horizontal bat places
the center of
gravity well outside of the hands. In younger hitters who are weak
physically in their hands, wrists, and forearms, gravity pulls on the
heavy barrel end creating a torquing
effect, causing the knob to lift, and the barrel to drop. Consequently,
as the swing begins, it’s difficult to get the knob going downward toward
the ball. The hands move away from the body in a casting
action, beginning a long, sweeping
swing.
Click for Illustration
Click Red Dot for Drills
to Correct a Flat Bat
Bat
Mass (weight): A term used to describe the weight of a bat, usually
measured in ounces.
bat
path: A term used to describe the path that the bat takes during
the approach, through contact, and follow-through. Normally the bat
path is described as “inside-out”,
or “outside-in”.