I learned how to Hit
playing a little Game called “Strike Out”. That`s when you only had 4 Guys to play
Ball with, or sometimes it was just yourself & another. We`d etch out on a
wall a Strike zone, and then played. The Pitcher would be a best of times 60’
feet away, & wheel a Tennis Ball @ the Zone in an attempt to Strike you
out. There were other “rules” we`d have, but the main point is this is where I
developed my bat speed & eye for the ball.
I had always played in
Leagues above my age group. I had an awesome Glove hand, (all that Road Hockey
Goal tending with my Trapper), but I could hit the crap out of the ball.
Probably why the Phillies were after me.
Playing with older guys
caused me to make a number of adjustments to my Batting.
Problem: I`d get
pounded inside on the hands, or a Curve Ball on the outside edge from a Lefty
Solution: I went for
the Foot in The Bucket Stance, & to be honest because I was using lower
body torque I was hitting the ball harder
Problem: I had this
terrible drop down “Hitch” that would cause an upper cut swing...lots of Pop
Ups & Strike Outs
Solution: I copied a “Hitch”,
from Richie Allen, that I called a “Trigger Hitch”. This is when instead of
dropping your Hands & Bat down, you moved your Wrists forward so the Bat
barrel dropped forward instead of down...
MAN I LOVED PLAYING BASEBALL!!
