Hitting: Proper Contact Position

     A popular phrase that is heard in the batting cages or during BP is, "My swing doesn't feel good".  Coaches, myself included, stress the importance of good swing mechanics.  The foundation of any good baseball hitter is being able to repeat a swing.  By putting ourself in good positions to hit the baseball, our ability to drive the ball will increase.  As players progress to high levels of baseball, high school and above, they often struggle because of having a poor hitting approach.  

     I have played with and against players who have "poster-type" swings and they struggle during games.  Batting mechanics only go so far, at the end of the day it is about what you are swinging at and where do you make contact in the strike zone.  It's that simple, IT'S NOT YOUR SWING.  Players, parents and sometimes coaches get caught up in "band-aiding" kids.  Everyone wants to see and hear a quick fix that will allow them to hit the baseball properly.

     When we hit the baseball in poor positions our mechanics will break down.  Making solid contact with the baseball will reflect good hitting mechanics; no matter stance, swing type, or hitter type.  The two things constant in hitting are the hitting position (when a player strides out) and position at contact.  The hitting position and contact positions are two FUNDAMENTALS in hitting.  Everything else is just comfort and style.  Below is Albert Pujols in a contact position (retrieved from chrisoleary.com):

1. Head Position - center of body, in line with back knee
2. Strong "L" with top hand (before we extend through the swing)

3. Hands slightly in front of the barrel - inside ball creating backspin 

4. Palm up/ Palm down with top and bottom hand

5. Firm front side (cork-screwing into the ground) - all energy is driving  into the baseball 

6. Belt and back knee towards the pitcher at contact 

7. Tall position with body (meaning posture) 

8. Strong on back toe at contact 

9. Look how the handle of the bat is in his finger tips on top hand (not choking the handle) - creates whip through the strike zone