Sports · Baseball · 18 hrs ago
Yamasaki gives Chunichi’s Ukai his first full batting lesson
Chunichi Dragons outfielder Kosuke Ukai received batting instruction from new coach Takeshi Yamasaki on Nov.
4 at Nagoya Stadium.
Yamasaki, 57, will become the team’s batting coach next season and has begun working with players during autumn training.
He said Ukai was not keeping enough weight on his right foot, which may limit the power in his swing.
Yamasaki also advised him to change how far he pulls the bat back and showed him a long-toss batting drill that ends with him balancing on one leg.
The coaching aims to help Ukai use his right leg more effectively as he works to improve as a power hitter.
Yamasaki, who hit 403 home runs in his career, told Ukai he had managed only 11 home runs through his first eight seasons.
Ukai plans to practise the drills and adapt them to his own approach; the sources do not describe a specific follow-up plan.
Chunichi Dragons outfielder Kosuke Ukai received his first full batting instruction from new hitting coach Takeshi Yamasaki on Nov. 4.
Yamasaki said Ukai was not putting enough weight on his right foot during tee batting and was moving forward too soon.
He also advised Ukai to adjust how far he pulls the bat back and taught him a long-tee drill that ends with balancing on one leg.
Ukai said he would test the advice and work it into his own approach.
Yamasaki, a former home-run champion with 403 career home runs, joined Chunichi’s coaching staff ahead of next season.
- Who
- Chunichi outfielder Kosuke Ukai and new hitting coach Takeshi Yamasaki.
- What
- Yamasaki gave Ukai his first full batting lesson, focusing on his right-foot use and swing mechanics.
- When
- Nov. 4, during Chunichi’s autumn camp.
- Where
- Nagoya Stadium in Nagoya, Japan.
- Why
- Yamasaki was asked to work with right-handed power hitters, including Ukai, as Chunichi’s hitting coach for next season.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Yamasaki joined Chunichi at Nagoya Stadium on the final day of autumn practice, beginning his work as a coach.
Yamasaki gave Ukai his first full batting lesson at Nagoya Stadium during autumn camp.
Chunichi’s autumn camp was scheduled to end.
- Player
- Kosuke Ukai, 27
- Coach
- Takeshi Yamasaki, 57
- Yamasaki's career home runs
- 403
- Lesson date
- Nov. 4
- Drill
- Long tee batting followed by balancing on the right leg
3 sources
What people are saying
Your weight isn't on your right foot. You move forward immediately, so the soil under your right foot isn't dug up on the right side, is it?
People think I'm a tough guy or a grit-oriented guy, but actually I'm not.
I think I can use my right leg more.
Yamasaki-san has things I haven't tried before. I won't know until I try them. It's important to absorb them and do them in my own way.