When I met Barry Bonds at UCLA in 2007, I wanted to know how to improve my swing. But he taught me something that completely changed how I approached hitting. And it had nothing to do with my swing mechanics. He explained that pitchers typically want to establish their fastball down in the strike zone so they can play their off-speed pitches off that same location. That makes it harder for hitters to recognize what's coming. But here's what he wanted me to understand. If you start hunting fastballs up in the strike zone, something interesting happens. You begin taking more fastballs down in the zone. You also start laying off more off-speed pitches that finish down in the zone. And when a pitcher leaves an off-speed pitch up? That's a mistake. And those baseballs can go a LONG way when you hit them. So I started applying that approach. Instead of trying to hit every strike, I set my sights higher in the zone and looked for pitches I could drive. And here's what happened. My walks went up. I started making more hard contact. And I became more selective about the pitches I was swinging at. All because I changed where I was looking for the baseball. So here's what I'd recommend to young hitters who want to improve their pitch selection. 1. Hunt the fastball up in the zone. Especially early in the count, look for a fastball in the upper part of the strike zone that you can drive. 2. Be willing to take pitches down in the zone. If you're hunting the fastball up, you don't have to chase every fastball or off-speed pitch down. Make the pitcher bring the baseball into the area you're looking for. 3. Don't miss the hanging off-speed pitch. If you're looking up in the zone and the pitcher leaves a breaking ball or changeup up there, be ready to attack it. Those are pitches you can drive for extra bases. Now, this doesn't mean you should take every pitch down in the zone. When you get to two strikes, you have to adjust and protect the plate. But early in the count, you can be selective and hunt pitches you can do damage with. Because there's one thing Barry Bonds helped me understand... You don't have to swing at every strike to be a great hitter. You have to recognize which strikes give you the best opportunity to do damage. Stop trying to hit every pitch. Start hunting the pitches you can drive. Hope this helps, Jermaine Curtis P.S. - If you enjoyed this, share it. (This tells me you want more content like this)

Are your upper arms getting in the way? Eliminate them by butting a ball in-between your bicep. You can switch between top or bottom arm

Power is the last thing to show up for GOOD hitters... Stay patient

Flat. Work in progress. #HLP

Coaches, players, parents : Do yourself a favor by looking at the gaps between marketing claims & credible evidence! 🤔In the competitive world of baseball training, revolutionary techniques often grab headlines. One such method is marketed aggressively by his inventor. Claimed as a transformative tool in enhancing athletic performance, notably that of MLB star Aaron Judge, the HLP approach has garnered attention. However, a deeper investigation reveals significant gaps between claims and credible evidence. Judge Narrative: The inventor claims of enhancing Aaron Judge's performance are notable. Despite the assertion of a professional relationship and significant impact, we might wonder whether it is the technique that allowed the player to develop skills, or if it is the player's natural coordination that matches the technique? To decide between these two possibilities, it would be necessary to have detailed data (not only HR or stats) on the player's progress before, during, and after the application of the technique, as well as comparisons with other players who have followed similar or different methods. Furthermore, scientific studies evaluating the specific impact of the technique on various aspects of sports performance would be essential to establish a clear causal link between the technique and the observed improvements. Absence of Scientific Backing: Central to the critique of the HLP approach is the glaring lack of scientific validation. Sports science, a field grounded in rigorous research and empirical data, requires any new method to be thoroughly tested and verified. The HLP, however, lacks peer-reviewed studies, biomechanical analysis, or physiological data to substantiate its effectiveness. This absence could raises critical questions about its legitimacy and safety. Expert Insights and Industry Standards: Discussions with established sports scientists and coaches reveal a consensus on the importance of evidence-based practices. The experts emphasize that unverified methods could not only pose risks but also divert athletes from proven training regimens. The sports industry is built on a foundation of scientific advancement and ethical coaching! Ethical Responsibilities in Sports Coaching The promotion of the HLP by his inventor, brings to light the ethical responsibilities of sports coaches and trainers. The duty to provide safe, effective, and scientifically-backed training methods is paramount. Misleading athletes with unproven techniques not only jeopardizes their performance but also their trust in the training process. Conclusion: There should be no debate around this technique/approach but only the imperative for Evidence-Based Practices! As coaches we are dealing with human beings: This must not be taken lightly!!!! #Hitting #Baseball #MLB #NCAA #Coach

When perfect the hip throws the barrel…. Stay in leg turn until wrist snap… 🫰

These interviews were hours apart

Yankee’s Kyle Higashioka with a 1.96 throw out. Not uncommon recoil at the end as a part of his quick decel pattern that helps him create arm speed.