All the Tools a Hitter Needs

Hey Hitters,

Check out all the tools that will assist you in becoming a dangerous hitter!



Stay Focused

Brandon Smith CSCS
www.conditionedtohit.com

The Myth of the Hit & Run

Hello Hitters,

Lets talk about the classic hit and run play. You will see this play used more and more as teams jockey for position at the top of their divisions. As the playoffs begin, runs are at a premium, and the hit and run is designed to move runners into scoring position before the double play can kill a rally.

As many of us know, the purpose of the hit and run is to get runners moving and stay out of the double play. Many hitters believe they must hit the ball behind the runner when given the hit and run sign. Wrong!

You do not have to hit behind the runner. However, you MUST hit the ball on the ground, anywhere. Bat control is the skill you need to accomplish this task. You should be able to hit a hard ground ball anytime the coach gives you the hit and run sign. Much like the suicide squeeze play...you must get the ball down and in-play!

Guys like Derek Jeter and Ichiro have tremendous bat control and are able to put any pitch in play.

But, like all baseball skills, it takes perfect practice day in and day out, to develop bat control. A good way to learn good bat control is to choke up on the bat and practice hitting down through the ball to all parts of the field. Always keep your head and eyes on the ball and just stay on top of the ball and hit it as hard as you can, always maintaining your balance throughout your swing.

You will develop bat control and you will learn how to handle the bat in all crucial situations. Hitting down through the ball will help you develop a nice controlled, aggressive swing, and help eliminate a long looping swing without bat speed, which in most cases will cause a pop up...a killer of the hit & run!

Remember, Perfect Practice, Makes Perfect.

Stay Focused

Mike "The Hitman" Easler

http://www.conditionedtohit.com/ (it's almost ready!)

Small Ball Part 2

If you want to take your game to another level, and be a real threat at the plate, you must develop your bunting skills. Practice bunting every time you step in the batting cage.

The bunting game is a lost art. Back when I played, everybody on the team would work on their bunting mechanics day- in and day- out during spring training and throughout the season.

I will never forget the late, great Manager of the New York Yankees, Billy Martin, saying in spring training, " I don't care who you are or how many home runs you have hit in your career, you must learn to bunt if you plan to play for me".

Billy Martin was a winner, and he knew how to prepare properly for the 162 game Major League season and post season play. Bunting was a secret weapon for success when the opposition least expected it. Especially from a few power hitters such as Reggie Jackson and Dave Winfield, or even myself, the HitMan.

Perfect your bunting skills and take your game to another level. Trust me your coach will be very impressed and you will become one of his favorites.

Coaches loves players who know how to play the game, and are fundamentally sound, especially in the art of bunting.

You will play a lot and be called on in big situations to move a runner over, or lay down the suicide squeeze to win a game.

Add solid bunting fundamentals to your repertoire and you will be a complete hitter!

Stay Focused
Mike "The HitMan" Easler
www.conditionedtohit.com

Small Ball

Hello Hitters,

This is the time of season where wining ball clubs will concentrate more on Small Ball. Division races are getting tight and the emphasis is on winning baseball games.

What is Small Ball?

i consisder Small Ball as doing the little things on the field to win close ballgames. Bunting, Hit and Run, hitting the ball to the right side of the field to move a runner over and running aggressively from first to third are all elements of Small Ball. Getting the runner in from 3rd base with no outs or 1 out is always a must, but during last half of the season it becomes a necessity! The squeeze bunt will be used more frequently as well, as winning ball clubs try to score runs anyway they can. Yes this is Small Ball time. As you watch Major League games, look for the announcers to comment on the clubs who do the little things to win ball games.

I will start breaking down the game in the coming weeks as it should be played describing the importance of playing small ball. In my 39 plus years in the game I have learned that the teams that execute the best, are the teams that's always seem to make it to Post Season play or finish towards the top of the division year after year.

Tony Larussa of the St. Louis Cardinals is one of the best Managers in the game today who stresses basic fundamental Small Ball, day in and day out. And people wonder why year after year his teams are always in the playoffs or going to the World Series.

Big ball is fun, but great hitters excel when the situation calls for some small ball.

Stay Focused
Mike "The HitMan" Easler

Old Timers Day

Hey hitters,

It's Brandon here. Just wanted to post some pictures and give you all a re-cap about the HitMan at his first New York Yankees Old Timers Day game.

Mike was batting clean up for the "Clippers" squad and playing first base. In his first at bat Mike faced Mike Mussina! Mussina came out throwing hard, but the Hitman looked ready! He fouled off some tough fastballs. Mussina knew he couldn't beat the Hitman with the gas, so he went to an off-speed pitch. The Hitman, being a professional hitter, waited on Mussina's junk and dropped an RBI single into left field!

Mike also showed off some great defensive skills at first base! He robbed Micky Rivers of a hit by going two steps to his right and getting a force out a t second. The play should have made SportsCenters top plays!

Mike's second at bat came against Mel Stottlemyre. Mike hit a hard ground ball to second base, resulting in a DP, but he made solid contact and put the ball in play. Even though he didn't get a hit, Mike ran the ball out all the way through first base....something everyone should do!

Mike, once again showed what a professional ball player should do, and hustled to first base!

Overall, the Hitman had a good day. One- for- two with an RBI and great defensensive play!

I was fortunate enough to be in the crowd with my father (a long time Yankee fan), Mike's beautiful daughter, Misty and two friends. After the the game, all the Yankee Old Timers came up to the luxury suites where we were sitting (boy the Yankees do everything with class) and hung around with family and friends.

It was a great day all around, As the Yankees swept the Tigers and the Old Timers got to play again.

The Hitman is traveling home today, but told me that once he lands and takes a nap, he will begin training for next years Old Timers Day game!

Well, Mike and I are excited to continue bringing you hitting and conditioning tips and thoughts, so check in often as the best info is yet to come!

Leave a comment and forward to all your baseball buddies!

Stay focused

Brandon Smith

Coming Soon!

Coming Soon!

I'm Feeling Good!

Hello Hitters,

Just wanted to check in and tell ya that I'm in New York and I feel great. I'm ready for this Sunday's "Old Timers Day Game" at New Yankee Stadium.

The Game is Sunday, July 19th, so watch me if you can. If you can't, don't worry, I'll make the SportsCenter highlights when I go DEEP!

Stay Focused

Mike "The HitMan" Easler

Watch for my big website launching soon www.conditionedtohit.com