tee work

[jstadad]

What is the best way to utilize the batting tee? We like hitting on the field if possible. Thanks.

[dominik]

What is the best way to utilize the batting tee? We like hitting on the field if possible. Thanks.

we did a game we called oppo game in the winter indoor practice. you hit of the tee. everything that hits the ceiling is an out. everything that gets pulled past the midline is an out. there are fielders and bases so you try to get on base.

[NoonTime]

What is the best way to utilize the batting tee? We like hitting on the field if possible. Thanks.

Here are some clips of guys talking about or doing some tee work.

Dustin Pedroia talking about his tee routine

http://mlb.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=20366483&c_id=mlb

MLB Tonight's Diamond Demo welcomes in Chris Coghlan of the Florida Marlins to explain why hitting off a tee can help come game time.

http://mlb.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=6703855

Chipper Jones shows Harold Reynolds his approach when hitting off a tee in the batting cage

http://mlb.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=20238733&c_id=mlb

Adam Dunn talks to MLB Network's Harold Reynolds about his offseason preparation to have a bounceback year in 2012

http://mlb.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=20168893&c_id=mlb

[NoonTime]

What is the best way to utilize the batting tee? We like hitting on the field if possible. Thanks.

I think a tee is a great way to isolate and learn/feel rear leg drive. Try something similar to the tee drill described here:

http://www.baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?110516-Rear-Leg-Action&p=2060165#post2060165

[JJA]

I use the tee extensively, finding it indispensable for teaching. When I'm teaching something new, I like to start with the tee, progress to soft toss, before proceeding to live pitching. If a kid can't execute a technique on a tee when nothing is moving, how can he do it in a game?

Outside of teaching technique, it's fantastic for teaching other skills. For example, learning to hit the ball to the opposite field can be worked on by placing a tee on the outside of the plate and have the kid work on hitting it opposite field. By placing the tee at where the optimal contact point should be (for the outside pitch a little deeper in the plate compared to an inside pitch), the player can develop the feel for where they're trying to strike the ball for that pitch location. Similarly for high and inside, low and inside, up in the strike zone, down in the strike zone, etc. One of my favorite tee drills in a cage is to have the player hit 10 consecutive line drives to the back of the cage without hitting the top or bottom of side of the cage. It's easier said than done, but a player with good technique can do this and it absolutely can and (in my opinion) should be learned.

Similarly another great tee drill in a cage is the pole drill, where the player attempts to hit the different poles in the cage by placing the tee appropriately and driving it opposite field and pulling it to the various poles. This is really good for kids learning how to hit the ball to all fields. It's also a great game to play with other kids as well, making it a competition to see who can hit the most poles in a certain amount of balls.

Be creative. There are a lot of great drills and teaching that can be learned using a tee. Again, I find it indispensable and couldn't teach without it.

Good luck!

-JJA

[NoonTime]

For example, learning to hit the ball to the opposite field can be worked on by placing a tee on the outside of the plate and have the kid work on hitting it opposite field.

Reminded me of another video with Ryan Braun

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zYYxrt0602w