HITTING BY DUSTY BAKER
                                  February 8, 2009 Blackhawk Hitting Clinic

1. Bat Selection ( Arm Test)
2. Depth & Distance at the plate (Middle) (Bat Length)
3. Stance & Balance (Balance Test) (Pigeon Toe & Knee Bent)
4. Grip on Bat   (Hammer) (Finger in hands vs. finger in finger test)
5. Box & Bat Angle   (Test for Box)   (45 degree Angle)
6. Inward Turn   (Punch) (Hip Pocket)
7. Stride (45 degrees towards home-plate, Land on Big Toe, Step on Ice)
8. Swing :
a) Focus both eyes; On the pitcher, and then move them to the area of the ball at the pitchers release point or box.
b) Squish the bug: Pivot the back foot and thrust the hips.
c) Slap the hands down: Swing the bat in a slightly downward plane through the ball.
d) Keep the Head Down: Ike to Mike (Strength test for head down) (Head tight)
e) Follow-Through: Finish the Swing
(3 eyes on pitcher- triangle of belly & both button knees )

TIPS
* All hitters will be better with the Standard Grip.
*Hold the bat but never squeeze it. (no saw dust)
*It is more important to lean how to hit correctly than to hit for power. Let power evolves with maturation.
*Slow steady feet enhance fast hands, which is a good thing. Quick feet gets the hitter off balance which is evil.
*Throw the head of the bat through the ball, remember to hold on to the bat.






Taken from HITTING FUNDAMENTALS by Dusty Baker
Revisited by Bob Amalia 2004

Hitting