The Bat Thing.
Since I didn't have a name for this activity, this is what it came to be
known as. This is a two person drill. One person is the hitter, the other is the
pitcher and fielder.
The hitter holds the bat close to the knob. The bat is then put
behind the back at waist level. The hand and knob will be about the
middle of the back. The other arm is then put behind the bat then bent
forward so that the bat is held with the bend at the elbow. If this is
done correctly the bat is then sticking out beyond the bent arm around
18 to 24 inches.
The pitcher is then is going to pitch the ball slow and flat at
waist level to the batter. The batter should be standing as if they were
at the plate. To begin, they will want to use an open stance exposing
the front of the body to the pitcher. As the pitcher tosses the ball, the
hitter attempts to hit the ball by twisting at the waist. The picture
will not want to put much arch on the tosses.
With practice it is not all that difficult. This teaches the
hitter to keep their eyes on the ball. It encourages them to use their
waist when hitting. It helps them to learn to adjust to the level of the
ball by bending at the knees, and not just reaching. It is good for
loosing up the back and legs. It get the pitcher to bend their legs and
warms them up by moving laterally.
Once learned, this little games can take on a quick pace. It is
great for working out indoors or outside. I like to have the team do this
before each game after they have warmed their arms up. |
