Month: September 2018

Batting Mechanics: Common Batting Mistakes – And How to Fix Them

When you watch a professional baseball player go up to bat, you see some explosive swings!

These guys make it look effortless, but that effortless swing came at the cost of hours of practice, perfecting the mechanics that make that ball rip. D-BAT Sports – the best baseball training facility – is here with a few common batting mistakes we see in batting mechanics – and how to fix them:

Lead With the Hands

Often amateur batters get excited and they let their arms/hands get ahead of their body when hitting the ball. This may work, but it cuts all of the power from the lower half of your body! Instead, lead with the hips every time. A proper swing should send the energy and force from the back leg, to the hips, and then to the arms/hands for an explosive swing every time.

Bat is in the Wrong Spot

Batters often want to keep the bat raised up over their head, cutting the power as they swing because of the bat extension. Instead, the bat should be positioned just above your back shoulder, ready to swing through the ball with a sharp and steady motion.

Big Step Forward

When at-bat, many young players will take large steps forward in order to amp up their swing. Instead of generating more power, they actually strip power from the swing by leading with their front foot and not the back. Not to mention, a jerky step forward can get the batter off balance and create a loss of eye contact with the ball. Again, shift energy from the back hip to the front, and let the rest roll from there.

Perfecting batting mechanics may seem tedious, but it pays off in the long run. If you’re serious about improving your batting mechanics and want some professional batting practice, then get your reps in at D-BAT! Call a location near you today to get started.

Is Your Child Ready for Travel Ball?

If your child has spent any time around baseball, chances are you’ve asked yourself, “is my child ready for travel ball?”

It’s a big commitment, and one that both your child – and your family – need to be on board with. Here are 3 questions D-BAT Sports recommends asking yourself in preparation for answering this question:

Does Your Child Show Desire and Determination?

At some level, your child has to want this himself. It can’t be something you are pushing on them or burnout can occur sooner rather than later. Many teams practice and play year round with short off seasons in between, so it’s important that your child is on board and ready for the commitment. If he or she is not showing determination and desire to improve on their own, then it may not be time for travel ball.

What is Your Child’s Skill Level?

If your child is currently playing rec ball, is he or she currently in the top half ability wise? Do you believe he or she has what it takes to succeed and add value at the next level? There is nothing wrong with allowing your child to stick with the flexibility and ease that comes with recreational baseball, but if you sense that your child is frustrated because the team as a whole is not performing at the level your child is capable of, then it’s time to consider travel ball.

Can You Afford Travel Ball?

The costs for uniforms, equipment, tournaments, lodging and dining, etc. can add up when playing travel ball. These are all important considerations before committing your child – and your family – to a rigorous year round travel ball schedule.

If you feel it is time to get your child involved in travel baseball, then visit us at D-BAT Sports to talk more about private baseball instruction, area teams, etc. As the best baseball training facility around, we’ve produced major league players and we’d love to visit with you about your child’s potential! Find a D-BAT location near you!