BVSA Teaches: Contact Point Recognition

On this episode of BVSA Teaches, Frank Ramppen talks about contact point recognition. Contact point is a crucial aspect of the teaching process in baseball. Although we create solid mechanics, kids often lose it when they try to take the swing out to the ball. Generally, there are many things that create bad contact points in a bad swing, but there are also some kids that have pretty good swings. To address this issue, we use a device with baseballs glued to a board numbered one through eight. We place this device on home plate in a similar angle to the contact points. The number one pitch is the inside pitch and the contact point is here. The outside pitch, the number eight, is out here, and the contact point is back there a little more. 

By going through some dry swings, we teach the kids to get through with their hands to get to that number one. Meanwhile for number eight, they have a little more time, and the contact point is back there a little more. This device helps students recognize that different points of contact exist. A good drill to do with it is to have them take a pitch from the coach and identify the contact point. We have two of these devices upstairs in my office.