HOW TO CORRECT BATTING STANCE

Question
QUESTION: Mr. Girardi,
I'm a single mom with a 7 yr old little league all star that keeps stepping out on his batting.  He hit's about 75% of the time at bat but his hits are not strong.  Several people have told me if he gets his stance down he will be a power house.  He weights 82lbs and can catch and throw outstanding.  I'm not sure how to helping him with his batting do you have any suggestions?

Thanks for your help.
Tammi

ANSWER: Hey Tammi,

Without seeing your son, it's kinda hard to get too personal on advice, but reading into what you have said, I'm guessing your son's front foot is bailing out of the batter's box. In saying this, I mean if he bats right handed, then his left foot is moving toward third base as he is ready to swing and the opposite if he bats left handed. If this is what he is doing, then your son is afraid of the pitched ball.  There is not many drills that can help him overcome this. The more at bats and the older he gets, and the realization that most of the time he will have enough time to avoid getting hit, will eventually come.  For right now, you can place a bat next to his front foot in the batters box, on the third base side of his foot. (If he bats right handed).  Or make a box in the dirt with instructions to not move the foot out of that box. This will help to keep his foot from bailing out. He then will be limited as to how much he moves his foot.  Try to instruct him not to move that foot side ways, but only forward. Do it a few times without pitching a ball.
A great way to have a multiple amount of pitches thrown to him, is to play against a factory wall. Find a wall of a building, and make a strike zone with chalk. (a box from the shoulders to the knees about 17 inches wide.) Have an experienced pitcher throw to him. After a few hours of this, he should be more comfortable.
Let me know how it goes.
Dennis Girardi

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: How far away should he stand from the wall?  He tells me he's not afraid of the ball.  Should we use tennis balls? Usually when we go to the batting cage he likes to mix it up by going in a variety of speeds.  I'm going to try the wall idea to see if it helps.  Thanks

Answer
Hey Tammi,

You should pitch from about 45 to 50 feet away.. Find out the distance in your "in-house" rules. If he steps out with a real person throwing, but is fine in a batting cage, then he probably IS a little afraid of the ball.. This would explain why he feels he is not afraid.. I have more confidence in a batting machine throwing the ball, than I do in a real person throwing one.  Wouldn't you?
Keep me informed..
Dennis Girardi