Coaches’ Corner

Innovative Training Aid Simplifies the Challenge of Learning and Teaching How to Hit a Baseball

Shuttle Baseball revolutionizes how the game of baseball is understood by players of ALL ages…on so many levels.  The obvious aerodynamic benefit of the tail is that it causes wind drag, making the Shuttle Baseball fly slower. What is not so obvious, however, is the fact that the tail’s arrow-like shape provides invaluable visual feedback once hit. The trajectory of the tail lets the batter know INSTANTLY if he/she hit the ball squarely. This immediate feedback makes working off a tee much more effective because the batter can make adjustments to their swing mechanics – on their very NEXT swing.

Players will quickly learn to get their barrel moving parallel with the pitch through the contact/strike zone (i.e. hitting in a “BIG ZONE”; hitting “LONG THROUGH THE BALL”; or being “ON PLANE” with the pitch). Doing so increasing their chances of making square and solid contact because having a swing that is parallel with the plane of the incoming pitch INCREASES THE BATTER’S MARGIN FOR ERROR and thus, COMPENSATES FOR IMPERFECT TIMING. In other words, they’ll be LACING line-drive hits to the gap like the pros – using a quick, compact, and powerful swing. See video demo here.

We designed Shuttle Baseballs to meet the needs of our most important customer – YOU! So rest assured, these training balls are soft-n-safe for use indoors (i.e., in the gym on rainy/snowy days) yet extremely-durable and weather-resistant for vigorous outdoor training – whether on grass or asphalt. Use Shuttle Baseballs to regularly train your batters how to hit the ball to any field, helping them develop the necessary muscle memory in practice to be ready to “bring it” on game day. A player with confidence is aggressive at the plate, knowing they’ve got what it takes to conquer the will of the opposing pitcher. Oh what a beautiful thing to see!

SUGGESTION: Try setting up “DUELING TEES” in a safe and suitable location – roughly 90ft-120ft apart (depending on ability) & aimed towards one another – then practice hitting Shuttle Baseballs back-n-forth with your OWN child. Hit balls should gather nicely nearby the opposing batter’s tee station for fast and easy retrieval. This makes for an enjoyable training experience that challenges both parties and offers a quick and easy way to practice their craft with minimal set-up times!

IMPORTANT: When doing tee work, remember to aim the tail of the Shuttle Baseball slightly upward at an angle of 10 degrees – regardless of whether the goal is to get the athlete to hit up the middle or to the pull or oppo side of the field. This “slighty upward” swing emphasizes the importance of having the barrel moving through the zone on the same parallel plane with the pitch. This strategy for attacking the ball helps ensure the batter is getting proper extension at the point of contact, increasing the hit ball’s exit velocity.

Simply instruct the batter to: – “Hit the ball off the batting tee in the direction the tail is pointed – and if you hit it square, the tail will flip 180 degrees and dart away on a line.”

Check out some of our latest testimonials.

Why Keeping it Super Simple (K.I.S.S.) is the Key

(Athletes Learn Best by Doing, rather than Being Told What to Do)

Research has described the actual process of hitting a baseball as a complex series of mental steps including:

1. Locating the ball at the earliest point it is released from the pitcher’s hand (eyes quickly focusing on the ball)
2. Calculating the ball’s speed, spin, and trajectory (very rapid mental extrapolation)
3. Deciding whether or not to commit to the swing (judging whether pitch will be a ball vs. strike)
4. Projecting where the batter expects the intersection of bat and ball to occur (anticipating contact with his/her bat)

Obviously, a baseball coach would be ill-advised to communicate this level of detailed instruction, especially with a younger audience that likely won’t understand the above concepts or their proper sequence.  If a coach were to do so, his/her players will more than likely end up stuck in “paralysis by analysis” mode.   If you’re not familiar with the concept, it basically refers to a player who is so busy thinking about their actions that they are rendered incapable of making the right decisions at the right times.

Baseball requires a sequence of decisions to be made in a fraction of a second.  That’s why it’s so important to keep it simple (whether a player or coach).

The Science of Visual Mechanics and Kinetic Learning

It is well known that establishing good vision mechanics in baseball, at an early age, is priceless.  A batter’s eye-hand coordination is of paramount importance.  Better visual anticipation (reading and reacting to what the pitcher is showing you) affects hitting philosophy and bolsters their confidence.  Baseball, as anyone who has ever played or coached can tell you, is a very mental sport.  A confident mentality at the plate means being focused, fearless, and flexible – being relaxed and ready to react on impulse (i.e., quick hands).  This shift in a batter’s attitude is subtle, but significant.   The young batter must learn to trust themselves and understand the limits and potential of their own ABILITY.  As such, they must approach the plate with POISE, knowing they have the talent needed to quickly recognize whether the pitch is a ball versus strike and then drop the hammer on any pitch delivered into their wheelhouse!

Shuttle Baseballs simplify the challenge of learning how to hit a baseball in a way that no other hitting aid has done in the past. They work by visually stimulating the brain’s neural network.  Use with a normal pitching arm movement (vs. underhand or “soft-toss”) and throw batting practice from the mound distance appropriate for the hitter’s age (e.g., 46ft for little league players).  From the point a Shuttle Baseball leaves the pitcher’s hand, the batter is able to see the tail of this unique training baseball rise and fall during flight.  This visual feedback helps the young batter easily extrapolate the moving object’s trajectory, allowing him/her to more accurately predict the location where it will cross into the strike zone.  This makes hitting seem more natural as one need simply rely on their own primal instincts and react to the ball.  Shuttle Baseballs serve as an excellent introduction to the skill of batting – especially for novices. Batters will quickly recognize that these soft foam balls can’t hurt them, so they will feel very confident and less afraid while in the batter’s box. The fact that they are very easy to track means the majority of kids will have immediate success launching these training baseballs through the air.  Plus, they weigh 2.5oz, nearly half the weight of a regulation baseball – providing more mass/feedback to the hitter’s bat (compared to a virtually weightless. 0.75oz hollow plastic baseball).  As the young batter develops greater confidence and hitting proficiency at the plate, he/she can progress onto a heavier and/or harder baseball and take their skills to the next level!

30 Day, Risk-Free Trial Offer

We invite you to try Shuttle Baseballs for your next coaching endeavor.  We guarantee you’ll be amazed at the level of progress your kids realize, practically overnight.  After 30 days, if aren’t completely satisfied with this product, simply return them to us we’ll refund your money (less S/H) – no questions asked.

Use Shuttle Baseballs with any batter who seems to be having a tough time at time at the plate.  It should help them DISCOVER what they need to do to have greater SUCCESS. As he/she acheives success, their struggles will melt away, allowing them to be more confident and set the stage for additional training & development. When kids have regular success hitting them, they’ll also have a lot more fun at practice.  And when kids are having fun, they’re more apt to learn because they’re more attentive - and that oughta make EVERY coach happy!