The Louisville Slugger® Complete Book of Hitting Faults and Fixes : How to Detect and Correct the 50 Most Common Mistakes at the Plate

Rating:
Summary: "Hey!! You're pulling your head!!"
Review: This book has everything but the answer to the one problem I was looking for: "pulling the head."
Coaches can always identify the "problem":
1) You're pulling your head--Keep your eye on the ball!
2) You're pulling your head--Quit trying to KILL it!
3) You're pulling your head--Don't be afraid of the ball!

What coaches should be saying, is:
1) You're pulling your head--and I don't have a clue, why!

Two possibilities are:
1) The batter has made up his mind to swing at the pitch, is looking for something out over the plate, gets busted inside, and swings while backing off, appearing to "pull his head."

2) The batter is behind on the pitch because the pitch is coming in faster than he expected it to. His reflexes tell him the pitch will be a strike, and his reflexes tell him he's going to have to hurry with the swing. He strides, opens the hips, but can't get his arms around in time. He's "pulling his head" as he tries to get the bat around in the effort to catch up to the pitch. That's why many batters who "pull their head" appear to be swinging too hard.

The batter's timing is a little messed-up is the majority of the problem.
I believe "pulling the head" can be considered a symptom of the problem, and not necessarily the problem itself. The problem is timing. It frustrates the heck out of me to hear "you're pulling your head" as though the realization will solve everything. To me, it's like somebody saying: "The reason you're sick is because you keep throwing-up."

Baseball isn't Golf (otherwise, I'd buy into the idea of the "head following the front shoulder" business.) Keeping the head still and not allowing the head to follow the front shoulder is an example of sound batting mechanics. Mechanics and timing go together, but they are two different things. Good hitters have both. Good hitters get goofed-up from time to time.
It's the pitcher's job to goof-up the hitter. Pitchers who wind-up like Tim Wakefield, and deliver the ball like Randy Johnson have everybody and their brother "pulling their head."

I checked all the available references--including this book, and ended up having to come up with these ideas on my own. I believe I am right, and I hope someone may benefit.
This book is great on everything else--Four Stars.


Rating:
Summary: must read
Review: If you coach youth baseball you need to read this book. This book will help make you a better coach and your team a winner.

Rating:
Summary: great book with visual aid and major league perspective
Review: This book offers major league insight from major league hitting instructors as well as hitting tips from stars like Chipper and Andruw Jones. The book methodically goes through every component of the swing from set up to follow through to mental approach. If you are struggling with your swing, trying to fine tune a part of your swing, simply improve your approach, or just learn the basics this book is very valuable. The photos of amatuer and pro hitters swinging and/or assuming their stances offer great feedback and support to the text description of the how to part of the book. I really believe this book could help any skill level hitter.

Rating:
Summary: great book parents/coaches
Review: This is a great book for you coaches out there. Several drills along with great insight on different hitting styles/tech. Also several tips on what to do if.....

Rating:
Summary: must read
Review: This is the best instruction book on a baseball topic that I've ever encountered. Very clear, interesting, and well-organized. Will be of special value to coaches--at all levels.

Rating:
Summary: A Terrific Baseball Book
Review: This is the best instruction book on a baseball topic that I've ever encountered. Very clear, interesting, and well-organized. Will be of special value to coaches--at all levels.