Should under 10's use donuts/weights? It appears to me it they are usually just getting their swing down and this might just mess them up. Your thoughts? Thanks

Should under 10's use donuts/weights? It appears to me that they are usually just getting their swing down and the weights give them bad habits. Your thoughts? Thanks.

Rick answered: Thank you for your question!

I feel that weighted bats, donuts, sleeves etc are beneficial for warming up and stretching out muscles.

With younger players you always run the risk that if something is somewhat heavier than normal, they can develop bad habits in an attempt to swing the heavier object. Those habits can result in a longer, looping swing as they "muscle up" to get the bat through the zone.

If a player is looking to increase bat speed, one of the best things they can do is refine their hitting mechanics, so that they get their bat to and through the hitting zone with the least amount of wasted motion.

The pictures above show two phases of a MLB players on deck circle approach to an at bat, timing the pitch and setting their approach to the at bat in their head.

Derek Jeter has a sleeve on his bat. He could be going from his approach, to some warm up motions with the bat, to dropping the sleeve and timing some pitches, or he could already have taken his warm up steps, is setting his mental approach and will then drop the sleeve and time some pitches.

Chris Young is already into his timing phase for that at bat.

If young players work to develop good hitting mechanics and establish a solid mental approach to every at bat before they step in the batter's box, they will be well on their way to being successful.

Good luck to you and your son as you go forward. He is entering a fun time in his baseball career, for him as well as your entire family.

Yours in baseball,

Rick