We placed the machine around 22 feet * from him and he used his game bat and after a short learning curve, some misses and tipped balls, he began hitting with varied success.
I did notice that soon after he first began hitting, his chatter slowed as he began to focus on every ball that came his way. Right away he began competing with himself trying to hit everything hard and in his intended direction. Having 6 seconds between pitches kept him even more focused.
*Note on Speed
That 22 ft. distance compares to around 65-70 MPH at the regulation mound to home plate distance of 60’ 6”.
The lessons here are strong and seemed to be instinctive:
1st, kids will focus if they want to... regardless of age.
2nd, they will do this much easier if they are having fun... he sure was!
3rd, as soon as he began hitting with some consistency, I found him competing with himself...He called me a ton of times when he had hit an entire rack to show me the “pattern” where all the balls had landed! He understood that he was to strive for consistency. And as kids do… He made a game out of it!
My only suggestion to him was to do this in series of 10 swings and keep track of how many "good hits" out of ten that he achieved.
THEN, create situations to see how well you do.
Here Are Some FUN Situations
Done In A Series of 10 Swings (adjust for player-age)
Man on 2nd and 3rd With One Out
We want to hit a ball HARD to the right side past the 2B to score 1 or 2 runs and make the throw farther for the defense!
Count how many you get right ...out of 10!
Runner on 3rd With No or One Out
All we want to do is find a pitch to loft into the outfield for a sacrifice flyball.
Count how many you get right ...out of 10!
Runner on 3rd, Late in the Game, Safety Squeeze Bunt Situation
The hitter wants to bunt making the 3B handle the ball - NOT THE PITCHER - UGH! The (imaginary) runner will commit to running home with a hard feet-1st slide!
Coaching Tip- The runner stays put if the pitcher handles the ball…or he’s dead meat!
Count how many you get right ...out of 10!
Slash Bunting (advanced)
This may be a new concept to many readers but it sure is a formidable weapon, though it may be more suitable to older players.
(Even with the age factor in mind, it still is a fun and creative skill to learn.)
With runners on base, the hitter shows bunt as the pitcher breaks his hands (as both hands separate with ball in the glove). The imaginary defenders yell "BUNT" and charge and move to cover their correct spots and bases.
The hitter then pulls the bat back into the hitting position AT THE TOP OF THE STRIKE ZONE TO BE ABLE TO SWING DOWNWARD.
(An important point is that the hands will be up the bat handle so hitter will have a shortened bat in his hands when he pulls it back to a hitting position).
With "shortened" bat pulled back into the hitting position, hitter simply hits the ball HARD AND ON THE GROUND...ANYWHERE- (but preferably in the middle of the field). Remember, the middle infielders are all covering a base and the corner guys are charging or covering so you sure have a great chance of doing some serious damage...if you hit it on the ground!
Hit To The Opposite Field - Count how many you get right ...out of 10!
Count how many you get right ...out of 10!
Hit Up The Middle - Count how many you get right ...out of 10!
Hit To Your Natural Field - Count how many you get right ...out of 10!
Find a Pitch To Hit
Understand this. Ted Williams said "My first rule of hitting was to get a good ball to hit." This is vital to a hitter's success. Just because the machine slings a pitch at you, it may not be your pitch.
Practice Situations Such As:
0-0 Count – You’re swinging only at YOUR PITCH...the one you know you can hit HARD!
Why? Because they give you 3 strikes and you alone are in the driver's seat!
2-1 Count - You are looking for YOUR PITCH... the one you know you can hit HARD!
Why? Because you know that the pitcher sure doesn't want to go to a 3-1 count and risk the walk!
3-1 Count - You are swinging only at YOUR PITCH...the one you know you can hit HARD!
Why? beacause the pitcher doesn't want to walk you and you aren't going to get yourself out...right?
0-2 Count - You know that you must protect the strike zone so anything close...you will be swinging.
Think hitting up the middle and/or to the opposite field.
YOU DON'T PULL ANYTHING IN THIS SITUATION!!
Why?
1st, if it the pitch is close to being a strike, you risk the umpire calling you out.
2nd, when you pull the ball to your natural field, there is a tendency to possibly lunge or pull your front shoulder out too soon causing the hips, lower body and all attached to rotate too soon.
It sometimes becomes an all or nothing swing carrying too high a risk of missing entirely!
1-2 Count - Similar to the 0-2 count except that in the 0-2, most pitchers up through High School age will throw a pitch that probably will not be anywhere near the strike zone.
Your Call - Make up your own situations - MOST OF ALL...HAVE FUN!
Chart Your Progress
Make a chart with the dates on each of the lessons above on a simple sheet of note paper or a printed Word document.
Keep track. Watch yourself getting better at each individual skill!
Here's some categories:
| Date | Drill | How Many Out of 10 | + or - Number From Last Round |
Hey Coach! - How about doing this with your entire team. Kids love to compete...Let 'em!
NOTES FOR COACHING LITTLE GUYS!
The Personal Pitcher does some great things, especially when you consider the price, the rechargeable battery, and the ability to use it in such a small area. FUN is one of the things it does best!
Struggling is not fun and the last thing we want is for little guys to struggle when we can avoid it.
Many have limited experience or skills, so here's a great idea to keep ‘em excited and improving.
For a few dollars, you can purchase what we used to call a "Fat Albert Bat." This is a wiffle ball bat that is about 3 times the diameter of a normal game bat. It is light, easier to hit the smaller golfball size wiffle ball. and really has a great "trampoline effect," causing the ball to jump off the bat and go a bit further.
Consider purchasing one BEFORE your Personal Pitcher arrives so that you can either start them out with it or at least head off a potentially frustrating situation.
Want some more fun?
A game of Homerun Derby with a Fat Albert Bat is a blast for any age or skill level. Make up your own rules for added fun!
Kids will play this for hours, getting better while just playing a kids game!
***Remember, if it isn't fun...why would they want to do it in the first place!***
YOU TOO DAD!
YOU TOO COACH!
I am dead serious. You want to teach them? Get in there and see what they see and feel what they feel after a great swing or a simple miss.
You will become so much better at teaching if you can remember how it really feels. Who cares if you haven't played since the war...any war. It Doesn't Matter!
Do it! Try, succeed, fail, learn, get better... just like your players!
Do this and I will promise you two things right here...!
1. You and your players will have greater success the 2nd day you try it!
(This will influence you to use it more often).
2. You will become a more understanding Dad or coach!
(Yessir, it is a humbling game).
More on Fun
I can tell you that my own son (who has access to anything at Baseball Tips) has dragged out the golf wiffle ball machine by himself more than any other item that is sitting around our warehouse.
Why? I believe that it has a huge fun-factor and is very easy to set up and take down. Additionally, he has the ability to hit a ton of balls without reloading and he can quickly gather up the balls in a smaller area.
We adults call it practice.
The kids call it FUN!
I Know This Will Help Players of Any Age!
Yours In Baseball,
Coach JP
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