Mike Ryan's Fastball USA

The Hitting Mind Part 6

The brain is impacted by the Why
and so are the results.  


At a recent clinic I simply 

explained to the players, parents, 

and coaches one simple concept. 

If you want to hit harder, most 

of you will. 

 

If you want to hit with better ball

flight (Launch Angle) most of you

will. 

In one sense, it's not that easy. 

In another sense, it is that easy. 

 

What you practice you become. 
The brain tells the body what to 

do.  It's not the other way around. 


This is called INTENT.   Without 
clarity of intent, and a commitment 
to the intent, you will fail more often. 

 

We have found players get excited 

about hitting the ball harder when it

is objectively measured. 




The same should be true for ball flight

by measuring launch angle.  The reality is
that ball flight/launch angle is not as exciting. 

The problem is MOST don't understand

the true importance of ball exit velocity

combined with good launch angle. 



Power of Why

From my experience when a player 

understands the WHY, he makes a 

decision to be more engaged into 

the training. 

Take A Look At The Results - 
Bryce Harper Example 

Notice the Batting Average
Notice the Launch Angle 
Notice the EV (Exit Velocity)
Notice how the Exit and Launch Angle impact the chances
of getting a hit. 

When you study the results based

on launch angle and exit velocity you 

clearly understand why ball flight is huge

especially when the ball is hit hard. 

 

Technology has helped create some incredible

measuring devices for ball flight but the reality is

it's not practical for the average player.   



My work in recent months has been bringing to light
on how to better measure ball flight in a more practical 

way in which players truly understand the result. 

 

 Of course it's easy to get excited about Ball 

exit velocity, MPH, and hitting high speeds.  

 

At Fastball USA we believe it's just as important

for our students to get excited to be measuring, 
tracking, and categorizing ball flight. 

Simple and practical is crucial when building habits.  

 

 

Why will our hitters hit less ground balls this year?

Because they a clear and concise plan on where they 

want to hit the ball.   They understand the benefits 

of a hard hit ball.  They understand the benefits of 

a hard hit ball with good flight.  

 

They understand the why.  This is crucial. 

They will hit more balls hard/with good flight 

because they want to.  

The brain has a tendency to tell the body 
what it wants to do.  Your technique will 
strongly resemble your goal.  

The bigger the why, the more likely the body
will follow the goal.  

If players understand the WHY behind what they are doing it 
goes a long way.   Don't underestimate the WHY. 


Coach Ryan
Fastball USA 
www.fastballusa.com
www.mikeryanbaseball.com
www.explosivehitting.com

224-209-7547

PS      4 Opportunities To Better Understand WHY

Explosive Hitting Boot Camp (Dec 16th-18th)

Explosive Hitting Boot Camp (Dec 27-28th)

Texas Baseball Ranch Pitching Camp (January 27-29)

Explosive Hitting Boot Camp (Feb 18,19) 

 

For those local...

New -   In addition to our high school and college player training
we have introduced our new Major Program this year.  

 

This program is ideal for players 10-12 years of age.   It's step 1 
to improving power while working on efficiency.  

Email - fastballusa@hotmail.com   To set up an evaluation.