Ames Tolleson

Ames, your hitting evaluation from the Players Way Summer Series Camp shows great promise. You've demonstrated a naturally appealing swing that catches the eye, which is an excellent foundation to build upon. Your technique already displays many positive elements that will serve you well as you continue to develop as a hitter.

The primary area for improvement lies in refining your swing path. Currently, your hands tend to drift away from your body slightly earlier than ideal, creating a longer path to the ball. While this doesn't negate your ability to make contact, it can lead to some inefficiencies in your swing. By focusing on keeping your hands closer to your body for a fraction of a second longer, you'll create a more compact, direct path to the ball. This adjustment will not only increase your bat speed but also improve your ability to handle various pitch locations effectively.

To work on this, practice drills that emphasize keeping your hands inside the ball. Try the "Fence Drill," where you set up near a fence or wall, forcing you to take a shorter, more direct path to avoid hitting the obstacle. Additionally, consider using a tee to practice hitting inside pitches, concentrating on keeping your hands close until the last moment. Remember, Ames, you're already showing great potential at just 8 years old. By honing this aspect of your swing, you'll be able to maintain more consistent contact and tap into additional power, setting yourself up for even greater success as you progress in your baseball journey. Keep up the excellent work, and don't hesitate to ask your coaches for more specific drills to help you achieve this goal.

Ames,

Your pitching mechanics show great promise, especially for an 8-year-old player. You've already developed clean, efficient movements on the mound, which is an excellent foundation for your future development. One of your standout qualities is how well you utilize your entire body as you move down the slope of the mound. This full-body engagement is crucial for generating power and maintaining consistency in your pitches. Keep focusing on this aspect of your delivery, as it will serve you well as you continue to grow and develop as a pitcher.

While your overall mechanics are solid, there's an area where you can make some improvements to enhance your performance. Occasionally, you tend to throw across your body, which can affect your accuracy and potentially put unnecessary stress on your arm. To address this, we recommend working on your direction towards home plate. A simple yet effective drill to help with this is to place a straight line of tape down the slope of the mound. As you pitch, focus on following this line with your stride and follow-through. This visual guide will help train your body to move directly towards your target, improving both your accuracy and the efficiency of your delivery.

Remember, Ames, pitching is a continual process of refinement and improvement. Your clean mechanics and good use of body movement down the mound are excellent starting points. By focusing on your direction and avoiding throwing across your body, you'll take your pitching to the next level. Keep up the great work, and don't hesitate to ask your coaches for additional guidance as you implement these adjustments. With your dedication and the strong foundation you've already built, you have a bright future ahead on the mound.