Most people are right-handed, and are considered right handed hitters. Lefties have a slight advantage on the baseball field, as hitting from the left puts you closer to first base, allowing you to reach it that much more quickly during a game.
Depending on which hand the pitcher favors, hitting left-handed can also provide a much clearer view of the pitcher and the field. In search of this advantage, many right-handed hitters dream of learning how to hit just as well on their left. When a player can hit left or right-handed, he’s considered a switch hitter.
Switch hitting requires a deep coordination between the upper and lower body. When hitting, the upper body naturally wants to work in a linear fashion, while the lower body has a tendency to rotate. Most untrained hitters have too much rotation in their swing.
To develop as a switch hitter, it’s best to start as young as possible, ideally around age 12. It will take 3-6 months of isolating the upper body’s performance and developing control before it’s time to move on. Then, the next step begins: focusing on your lower body for another 3-6 months. It takes a full 6 months to a year to build a good foundation for switch hitting, and then it can take as long as 3 years to feel confident in your ability to perform as a switch hitter.
BIO:
C.J. Stewart has built a reputation as one of the leading professional hitting instructors in the country. He is a former professional baseball player in the Chicago Cubs organization and has also served as an area scout for the Cincinnati Reds. As founder and CEO of Diamond Directors Player Development, CJ has more than 12 years of player development experience and has built an impressive list of clients including some of the top young prospects in baseball today. If your desire is to change your game for the better, C.J Stewart has a proven system of development and track record of success that can work for you.
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