Hitting A Grand Slam begins with a Plan

I could tell you that he's the first 10 year old Little League Minor "A" kid to hit one out on that field in 2 years and on and on, but rather than bore you with details, let me share some of the things that happened that your hitters might learn from.

You have to know that this was a kid that only had 3 infield hits all of last year and was just a middle of the pack kid.

You see, that grand slam actually began in the middle of June, 2006, when my son asked me how he could become good enough to make all stars next year.

Fortunately for him, he didn't have to go too far to find a expert in baseball :) But you need to get someone who will tell you the truth as to how to reach your goals.

Even I have taken him to learn from other experts, like Tony Gwynn and Jim Colborn (the Pirate's pitching coach (who doesn't give lessons normally, but he was doing me a favor)).

And we've watched videos like University of Tennessee's Rod Delmonico's Hitting Drills https://www.theinternethittingcoach.com/hitting-drills.html

This newsletter and website might be the best advice you can find in your area, but at least it's better than just hoping it happens. Follow the tips and techniques that I share here and on the website.

I told him what it would take to make it and what he'd have to put in to make it. Since I knew he'd have to pass about 40 kids that had better skills than he had in only 6 months time, he would have to put in a lot of work, 6 days a week at 100 swings per day (I also added the element of teaching him how to pitch, as most all-stars at that age are the better pitchers in the league. He'd only thrown 2 innings all the prior season.)

That's a lot of work for a then 9 year old kid, but the expert advice giver (me) knew that's what it would take and that's what I asked him to give to see if he really wanted to make his goal a reality. (You see I have other kids and only one of them followed my plan to fulfill her dreams of playing on the high school team, even though many of them liked playing and "wished" they'd make the higher levels. There's a big difference between a "GOAL" and a "Wish Dream".)

So he committed to the plan.

Then he learned the proper techniques and put in the time each day. Regardless of the obstacles, like TV, computer time, bad weather, dad not being available (we have a tee and a net, so if I wasn't around he'd get in his swings that way), etc.

This includes staying with the plan during the season. Most kids "practice" when their teams do and on game days, but what about the other 2 - 3 days (or more) per week? That's part of the plan, so yes, practice by taking the 100 swings (or whatever you need) every day.

From day one of this season, he's attained one of his goals and that's to be one of the best kids in the league, hitting the ball hard and pitching the bulk of the innings, while taking his record to 6 - 1.

So he was getting closer to hitting a home run, driving 3 to the fence so far.

But when he came up with the bases loaded and a with a wild pitcher up to bat, even then I had to remind him that he couldn't hit a bad pitch out (as much as you could see he wanted it), that he had to hit a good pitch.

Since the pitcher had walked the two guys in front of him, one with the bases already loaded, I thought he would get the same treatment and especially after the first pitch sailed a good 12 - 15" over his head.

But the next one was a fast enough, inside, belt-high pitch -- CRACK -- Going, Going, hits the top of the fence, Gone!!

There's no time like the present (or make a commitment to yourself to do it first thing after the season's over) to start setting goals, getting the right expert advice, making a plan, and following the plan.

Who knows? Maybe your hitter will be the next one to be hitting a grand slam.

To get the same expert advice on hitting that my son received -- https://www.theinternethittingcoach.com/hitting-video.html

More Hitting Answers

Thanks for understanding. Hopefully the lessons learned will help you with your hitting.

Look for more great hitting information to help your hitters before the end of the month.

Thanks for reading and talk to you next time.

Coach Andy

6801 Dove St. Ventura, CA 93003

805-642-5827