When 194 doubles, 198 home runs, and a .260 career batting average entered the indoor batting cage early Thursday afternoon at Camden Yards, one of the first things out of his mouth was surprising to the 50 people in attendance to learn how to hit just like him.
With a bat in his hand, J.J. Hardy looked to the crowd with a smile on his face. “When I’m in the cage,” he began, “I like to pretend that I’m a good hitter.”
The one-liner was met with chuckles from those in attendance, all winners of a contest from Franklin, makers of the Official Batting Glove of the MLB. In celebration of their 30th Anniversary of holding the title, Franklin gave fans the opportunity to attend a private hitting clinic led by Hardy and hitting coach Jim Presley. Baltimore was only the second stop on their celebration tour, which plans to visit 18 cities through the end of August.
Hardy and Presley preached the basics of hitting: consistent hand placement, placing weight on your back foot, and practice. Hardy also discussed his methods for breaking out of a slump: take less swings in the cage; the pitcher who gives him the most fits: Ryan Dempster; and what he was going to do before he game: take a nap.
Meanwhile, Presley had high praise for the shortstop, calling him the “best athlete in the clubhouse,” adding that Hardy’s performance at the plate in mid-May and the month of June was the best two-month performance he had ever seen from a middle infielder. And, when Manny Machado’s name was mentioned, Presley was quick to subtly call Hardy the better shortstop. “I tell you what,” said Presley, “you put those two at shortstop and hit them a thousand ground balls, this guy is going to succeed more times than not.”
The hitting clinic was only one of the many thrills the contest winners experienced. The exclusive view of the Camden Yards’ underbelly was exciting for all, as heads turned to look into every doorway and corner. Within the batting cages themselves, fans saw details that usually only the players see.
For example, situated in the top corners of the main batting cage were two hula-hoops. As Presley explained, the hoops are used for visual learners (such as Chris Davis) who need a target in order to drive the ball.
After the clinic, Franklin distributed autographed pictures of Hardy and led the winners out through the dugout onto the field. Of course, their day was not over as everyone received two tickets to that night’s game.
Before leaving the batting cage, Hardy consistently reminded the winners about a unique quality of the sport: “if you fail seven times out of ten, you’re a good hitter.”
(Featured and above photos courtesy of Franklin)
