How to Hit a Baseball Like Alex Rodriguez

It's going, it's going...it's gone.

Do you want to teach your son or daughter how to hit like New York Yankees 3rd baseman Alex Rodriguez?

Interested in developing your Little Leaguer into a potential major league baseball player?

Hitting is not as hard as some baseball coaches make it out to be. These instructions will give you some information you need to improve as a baseball hitting coach.

Instructions

1. 

   **Daily baseball practice**

   Practice baseball with your son or daughter every day. This is how Tiger Woods became a great golfer. His father sacrificed and made him play golf constantly. Are you willing to make sacrifices for your child? A few hours of practice per week will make a big difference. Create a block of time in your schedule to drive to the local practice field. Encourage your child to watch MLB baseball games and become familiar with the rules of baseball.

2. 

   **Practice with golf balls first**

   Purchase plastic golf balls (you can get them at the Dollar Store) and practice with these smaller balls first. If your son or daughter can hit a golf ball, then hitting a baseball will be easier. Toss the ball in the air and get your child to make contact. Use encouraging words to train the baseball student properly. Just like Alex Rodriguez, the swing should be level, eyes on the golf ball and body weight balanced. Purchase an instructional video if you need more assistance.

3. 

   **Golf balls, wiffle balls and then baseballs**

   Next buy wiffle balls and practice with these because they are larger. Develop the proper hand and eye coordination needed to hit a 95 mph fastball. Steadily increase the number of wiffle balls to 500 swings per day. Once the baseball pupil has mastered wiffle balls, move onto real baseballs. Visit a batting cage and implement the same swing techniques. The more you practice, the more comfortable the child will become with hitting a baseball. If the child is afraid of the batting cage speed, go back to hand pitching until he or she is more comfortable.

   See you at Cooperstown.

Tips & Warnings

• Go to www.youthserviceleague.org to see some of players I coached including Manny Ramirez, Julio Lugo, Nelson Figueroa and John Rodriguez.

• Always keep the front shoulder facing the pitcher.

• Keep the back foot firmly planted in the ground.

• Avoid head injuries by wearing a protective helmet.

• Be aware of anyone standing behind a child with a baseball bat.

• Do not yell, scream or insult a child. You could ruin a great career.