Hey guys! Okay so here we go with my first baseball related post. I wanted to kick this thing off with a bang by talking about something that most people don't talk about all that often. What is the most important part of the swing? If you ask most hitting coaches I'm sure you would get a large variety of answers from stance to the head to bat path. If you answered head you would be neary correct, but you would say head because you've never been forced to really think about the game. Baseball has become a regurgitation sport. Psychologically, we take the first thing that we hear when learning about whatever it is and we tend to be bias towards that philosophy. Honestly, that is the way that high school students take their classes. The teacher does a problem and the students copy the steps. My challenge to my followers is going to be to start thinking of the game like a college course. Develop your own ideas. Now here is the correct answer to the most important part of the swing: the eyes. Now, how many coaches are spending any time talking about the eyes? Hardly any. I've seen thousands of videos, attended seminars, and attended camps and have yet to hear a coach talk about the eyes. The only person I've heard talk about the eyes is Ted Williams back in his day. I don't know about you guys but I'd say he was a pretty successful hitter. He went on record saying that his eyesight was the key to his success about the hitter. If you disagree with my statement and think that something else is a more important aspect to your swing, go ahead and close your eyes while doing everything else right. Now swing at 100 batting practice pitches. Could you even hit one? My guess is probably not and my point is therefore proven. This all begs the question of how do we improve our baseball eyesight. There are a few key drills that many hitters do frequently. They take no time at all. Do them once a day and I guarentee you will be seeing the baseball better. These drills are taken from some of the leading optomotrists in the world. They are designed to help you recognize speed, trajectory, and spin of the baseball so without any further nonsense, here you go. (I apologize, I don't have any unique names for the drills:)
The pencil focus drill: Take two pencils or any other type of writing utensil. Hold one out at arms length and the other in near your nose. Hold the one at arms length a little higher simulating a mound. For twenty-five reps shift the focus of your eyes from near to far and then try to speed it up for the next twenty-five. DON'T CHEAT! The point of the drill is to get focused on the tips of the pencils. If you are merely switching your eyes you will do nothing for your sight of the baseball.
The Hypnosis Drill: Take a necklace or anything else hanging from a chain and dangle it in front of your face. Start swinging it side to side, in circles both ways, and back to front. As if you are hypnotizing yourself follow it with your eyes. You will be astounded with what this will do to your ability to pick up the trajectory of the baseball.
The Fan Drill: Good luck here beginners. Pick a blade on a ceiling fan and try to follow it as it travels around. This should be incredibly difficult. As you get better, adjust the speed of the fan. This is also great for picking up the trajectory and also the speed of the baseball.
Guys seriously, these drills will take you five minutes. Do them before you go to bed. You will be amazed at what they do for your hitting. I'm not saying don't do your tee work or take BP, but these drills will do more than any amount of hacks in the cage will ever do. Let me know how you like these. If you like them, I have plenty more that you can do.
P.S. If you've heard of these drills that's awesome! I would reccomend that you stay with whatever coach taught them to you or your kid, because he understands the evolution of the game of baseball. Also, see sports eye site on google. You'll love it!
Tip of the day: When hitting front toss, BP, or in a game focus on something out in center field before the pitcher begins his motion, then move your eyes into a fine focus on the release point. Relax your eyes before the pitch. Just like any other muscle in the body the eyes will work quicker when relaxed.
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