Brief HistoryBrief History

Jim Schwanke, the creator of the Jim Schwanke, the creator of the BLAST system developed this extremely BLAST system developed this extremely effective system working under effective system working under legendary coach Gary Ward at legendary coach Gary Ward at Oklahoma State during the 80’s. Coach Oklahoma State during the 80’s. Coach Schwanke while at OSU, which was Schwanke while at OSU, which was known as “Hitters U” took all of the known as “Hitters U” took all of the knowledge that he gained and knowledge that he gained and eventually developed the BLAST hitting eventually developed the BLAST hitting system.system.

Pete IncavigliaPete Incaviglia

In 1985 Oklahoma In 1985 Oklahoma State Outfielder State Outfielder Pete Incaviglia set Pete Incaviglia set the NCAA record by the NCAA record by hitting 48 HR’s in a hitting 48 HR’s in a single season. That single season. That year he also set the year he also set the NCAA record for NCAA record for RBI in a season with RBI in a season with 143. These records 143. These records still stand.still stand.

Robin VenturaRobin Ventura

In 1987 Robin In 1987 Robin Ventura under the Ventura under the tutelage of Coach tutelage of Coach Jim Schwanke at Jim Schwanke at OK State, set the OK State, set the NCAA Div. 1 NCAA Div. 1 Baseball record Baseball record for consecutive for consecutive games with a hit games with a hit at 58.at 58.

LSU YearsLSU Years

After leaving OSU, Schwanke took his After leaving OSU, Schwanke took his hitting system to Louisiana State where hitting system to Louisiana State where his hitting system helped the Tigers to 2 his hitting system helped the Tigers to 2 consecutive National Titles (1996-1997). consecutive National Titles (1996-1997). In 1996 LSU set the SEC record for In 1996 LSU set the SEC record for homeruns by a team belting 131 homeruns homeruns by a team belting 131 homeruns that year. They followed that season up in that year. They followed that season up in 1997 by hitting 188 homeruns which is the 1997 by hitting 188 homeruns which is the NCAA record for homeruns hit by a team NCAA record for homeruns hit by a team in a single season.in a single season.

Warren MorrisWarren Morris

In 1996, LSU In 1996, LSU Second Basemen Second Basemen Warren Morris Warren Morris under the under the tutelage of coach tutelage of coach Schwanke hit a Schwanke hit a Walk-off Walk-off Homerun to win Homerun to win the College the College World Series. World Series.

Brandon LarsonBrandon Larson

In 1997, LSU In 1997, LSU Shortstop Brandon Shortstop Brandon Larson under the Larson under the tutelage of Schwanke tutelage of Schwanke hit 40 Homeruns to hit 40 Homeruns to lead the SEC. He also lead the SEC. He also won MVP honors at won MVP honors at the College World the College World Series after Series after hitting .438 with 3 hitting .438 with 3 HR’s.HR’s.

319 Round Trips319 Round Trips

Over that 2 year span (96-97), LSU Over that 2 year span (96-97), LSU hit 319 Homeruns which is the most hit 319 Homeruns which is the most hit by a team in any 2 year period.hit by a team in any 2 year period.

In 1997 the Tigers also hit at least 1 In 1997 the Tigers also hit at least 1 Homerun in every game played Homerun in every game played during that season. That is also an during that season. That is also an unprecedented achievement.unprecedented achievement.

1997 LSU Baseball1997 LSU Baseball

Player AVG GP-GS AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI TB SLG% BB 16 Brandon Larson... .381 69-68 289 82 110 16 2 40 118 250 .865 21 36 Eddy Furniss..... .378 70-70 259 77 98 25 0 17 77 174 .672 58 4 Blair Barbier.... .353 65-64 252 82 89 23 0 15 57 157 .623 35 2 Mike Koerner..... .352 69-68 273 74 96 18 2 22 69 184 .674 27 33 Tom Bernhardt.... .322 66-58 202 43 65 7 0 17 49 123 .609 16 10 Danny Higgins.... .302 66-55 202 60 61 12 2 11 41 110 .545 49 7 Casey Cuntz...... .287 59-46 164 40 47 8 1 11 33 90 .549 36 20 Wes Davis........ .278 66-45 187 48 52 7 0 16 50 107 .572 21 14 Trey McClure..... .278 63-53 209 51 58 10 3 12 44 110 .526 36

BBasease

LLeverageeverage

AArm Actionrm Action

SSpeedpeed

TTimingiming

BaseBase The base is the most important element The base is the most important element

of any hitting system. A batter must of any hitting system. A batter must lower himself by flexing the knees, and at lower himself by flexing the knees, and at the completion of the stride the hitter the completion of the stride the hitter should be in a more balanced, athletic should be in a more balanced, athletic position than he was in his stance and position than he was in his stance and also in a position where both heels of his also in a position where both heels of his feet are slightly off the ground. The hitter feet are slightly off the ground. The hitter balances on the balls of his feet and feels balances on the balls of his feet and feels pressure on the two cleats at the front of pressure on the two cleats at the front of his shoes.his shoes.

BaseBase

LeverageLeverage The back leg can be used to deliver The back leg can be used to deliver

leverage on every pitch to hit balls leverage on every pitch to hit balls harder. The key points to consider harder. The key points to consider are the back leg turn, hitting behind are the back leg turn, hitting behind the ball, utilizing the ball of the foot the ball, utilizing the ball of the foot properly and thrusting like a boxer properly and thrusting like a boxer when he delivers a punch while when he delivers a punch while maintaining balance all the way to maintaining balance all the way to follow through.follow through.

LeverageLeverage

Arm ActionArm Action The movement of relaxed hands from a The movement of relaxed hands from a

launch area to the lag position and point of launch area to the lag position and point of barrel release. barrel release.

1)The keys are to keep a closed front shoulder 1)The keys are to keep a closed front shoulder

2) Bring the knob of the bat to the ball then 2) Bring the knob of the bat to the ball then unveil the barrel to the ball unveil the barrel to the ball

3) Remember to keep back shoulder in the 3) Remember to keep back shoulder in the slot and hands close to body slot and hands close to body

4) Be as quick to the ball as humanly possible 4) Be as quick to the ball as humanly possible

5) Roll the wrist at contact with the ball5) Roll the wrist at contact with the ball

Arm ActionArm Action

SpeedSpeed Velocity of the barrel moving the last Velocity of the barrel moving the last

90 degrees from lag to contact. 90 degrees from lag to contact. Maximizing bat speed at contact can Maximizing bat speed at contact can be accomplished through drills such be accomplished through drills such as the hammer-a-tire drill. Make a as the hammer-a-tire drill. Make a conscious effort to maximize the conscious effort to maximize the speed of your swing in the hitting speed of your swing in the hitting zone.zone.

TimingTiming

The rhythm of the swing should The rhythm of the swing should never change. Timing starts at the never change. Timing starts at the beginning of the swing, strike zone beginning of the swing, strike zone discipline and adjustments to the discipline and adjustments to the fast pitch versus the slow pitch.fast pitch versus the slow pitch.

DrillsDrills

Mirror Drill (Base)Mirror Drill (Base) Wall Drill (Leverage)Wall Drill (Leverage) Tire Drill (Arm Action & Speed)Tire Drill (Arm Action & Speed) Soft Toss/Live Hitting (Timing)Soft Toss/Live Hitting (Timing)

StrategiesStrategies

Start EarlyStart Early Work LateWork Late

Start EarlyStart Early

The batter is moving his hands back in The batter is moving his hands back in an effort to ready for the Fastball an effort to ready for the Fastball before the pitcher even releases the before the pitcher even releases the ball. This phase of timing is used when ball. This phase of timing is used when facing pitchers that throw Fastballs facing pitchers that throw Fastballs early in the count or don’t throw the early in the count or don’t throw the breaking pitch well. Eliminate the breaking pitch well. Eliminate the outside fastball (unless you can reach outside fastball (unless you can reach it) and don’t swing at ANY OFF SPEED it) and don’t swing at ANY OFF SPEED PITCHES.PITCHES.

Attack the Fastball!Attack the Fastball!

Work LateWork Late This phase is to be used when facing This phase is to be used when facing

pitchers that can effectively throw the pitchers that can effectively throw the breaking pitch for a strike early in the breaking pitch for a strike early in the count and for pitchers that can locate count and for pitchers that can locate the Fastball on the outside corner. the Fastball on the outside corner. Eliminate the inside fastball and focus Eliminate the inside fastball and focus on the fastball away. By looking to let on the fastball away. By looking to let the outside pitch travel deeper to be the outside pitch travel deeper to be able to hit it, the hitter will be right on able to hit it, the hitter will be right on time for the breaking pitch. If the time for the breaking pitch. If the breaking pitch starts high… go for it… if breaking pitch starts high… go for it… if it starts low, let it go!it starts low, let it go!

Working LateWorking Late

Ratings Key (evaluation)Ratings Key (evaluation)

8 – Outstanding (Baller)8 – Outstanding (Baller)

7 – Very Good7 – Very Good

6 – Above Average6 – Above Average

5 – Average5 – Average

4 – Below Average4 – Below Average

3 – Weak 3 – Weak

2 – Poor (In need of Miracle)2 – Poor (In need of Miracle)

StatisticsStatistics Batting Average (Hits divided by # of at bats)Batting Average (Hits divided by # of at bats) RBI (Runs Batted In)RBI (Runs Batted In) Singles, Doubles, Triples, HOMERUNSSingles, Doubles, Triples, HOMERUNS Slugging % (Total bases / official at bats)Slugging % (Total bases / official at bats) Total Bases (1B’s + 2B’s + 3B’s + Home Total Bases (1B’s + 2B’s + 3B’s + Home

Runs)Runs) On Base %On Base %

o Hits + Walks + Hit By Pitch + On Base By Hits + Walks + Hit By Pitch + On Base By Interference + On Base By Dropped 3rd Strike + Interference + On Base By Dropped 3rd Strike + On Base By Fielder's Choice / Official At Bats + On Base By Fielder's Choice / Official At Bats + Hits + Walks + Hit By Pitch + On Base By Hits + Walks + Hit By Pitch + On Base By Interference + On Base By Dropped 3rd Strike + Interference + On Base By Dropped 3rd Strike + On Base By Fielder's Choice + SacrificesOn Base By Fielder's Choice + Sacrifices

The 10 Commandments of The 10 Commandments of The BLAST System (Rules)The BLAST System (Rules)

The 10 CommandmentsThe 10 CommandmentsI.I. Thou shall not divert from the “script”Thou shall not divert from the “script”

II.II. KISSKISS

III.III. Fastball 1Fastball 1stst. Then everything else.. Then everything else.

IV.IV. Don’t get cheated.Don’t get cheated.

V.V. If You over think, You stinkIf You over think, You stink

VI.VI. Be Mentally aggressive & Physically RelaxedBe Mentally aggressive & Physically Relaxed

(Fight paralysis by Overanalyzes)(Fight paralysis by Overanalyzes)

VII.VII. Do not step in the bucketDo not step in the bucket

VIII.VIII. Stay inside the baseballStay inside the baseball

IX.IX. NEVER SURRENDERNEVER SURRENDER

X. “If you aint first, X. “If you aint first, You’re Last!”You’re Last!”