Unlike traditional batting tees, the Advanced Skills Tee has a forward arm to eliminate “dipping” or uppercut type swings and a flexible outside barrier to eliminate “casting” and looping bats simultaneously during batting practice. The unique brush cup ball holder gives a clean swish through the ball. Developed by a high school coach, the AST is made of durable polyurethane to stand up to high bat speeds and demanding team practices.
Why the Forward Arm?
In fact, the question should be “Why not a forward arm?”. You don’t hit the ball over the center of the plate (as traditional batting tees suggest). You make contact in front of the plate. But there are two other equally important reasons to use a forward arm design:
1. The forward arm eliminates “dipping” or dropping the hands and trailing shoulder to lift the ball with a “looping” type swing. If you “dip” with the AST, you hit the back of the arm. It forces you to take the bat straight down to the ball, leveling the swing at the point of contact.
2. The forward arm also pivots and rotates to place the ball on the inside or outside of the strike zone. Then, the arm points in the direction to drive the ball based on pitch location (i.e. pull the inside pitch, go with the outside pitch to the opposite field . . . “Hit the ball where it’s pitched”).