Swing Smarter Hitting Training Podcast | ⭐Hitting Performance Lab⭐

If you’ve been told “swing faster” all weekend and still watched weak contact in games, this episode flips the script. Joey breaks down why pitch recognition and decision-making—not just bat speed—unlock game-day power. You’ll learn simple vision cues to pick up spin earlier, a Green/Yellow/Red decision framework any youth hitter can use, and a 5-minute practice block that blends recognition with...

Parents are seeing “sledgehammer swings” and ultra-light bat hacks all over social—and wondering if they help or hurt. In this episode, Joey breaks down exactly how to use weighted and underload bats safely for youth hitters so practice power actually shows up under the lights. You’ll get the 10–15% rule, the Heavy-Light-Game progression, quick readiness checks (head still, spine neutral, barrel a...

Parents hear “swing faster” and chase bat-speed leaderboards—then wonder why games still produce weak contact. In this episode, we unpack the real difference between bat speed and ball exit speed, why a light bat can inflate one but not the other, and the precise training switches that convert practice swings into loud, repeatable contact. You’ll get clear, science-backed fixes—no jargon—built for...

When a young hitter goes from BP hero to game-day ghost, the issue usually isn’t mechanics—it’s how we frame failure. In this episode, Joey Myers shows parents and coaches how to turn strikeouts and whiffs into learning fuel using progressive failure exposure, a five-minute Three-Miss Challenge, and three simple metrics that actually predict improvement—so cage swings finally show up under the lig...

Most parents and coaches mean well. But could our constant tips, sideline shouts, and postgame breakdowns actually be draining our kids’ confidence instead of building it? In this powerful episode of the Swing Smarter Hitting Training Podcast, I dig into the hidden ways we create pressure for young hitters—and what to do differently so they thrive. Here’s what you’ll learn in this episode: The uns...

Every parent has seen it: your kid smashes balls in batting practice, but when game day comes, the results don’t match. It’s frustrating, confusing, and often leads to over-tweaking swings or second-guessing effort. The truth? Many times, the problem isn’t mechanics—it’s vision. In this episode of the Swing Smarter Hitting Training Podcast, Joey Myers reveals why sharpening how your athlete sees t...

Is your kid’s batting average telling the truth—or just messing with your head? In this episode of the Swing Smarter Hitting Training Podcast , I break down why batting average is one of the most misleading stats in youth baseball and softball… and what to track instead if you actually want to see progress. As a former Division I Fresno State ballplayer, author of the Amazon bestseller The Catapul...

Is your kid falling behind in the power department? You’re not alone—and you're not doing anything wrong. In this eye-opening solo episode, Joey Myers—founder of HittingPerformanceLab.com—tackles one of the most common (and frustrating) questions from baseball and softball parents: “Why can every other kid hit bombs... but mine can’t?” If you’ve ever felt the sting of comparison on the travel ball...

Is My Support Hurting or Helping? Fix the Pressure Trap in Youth Sports Before It Breaks Your Kid’s Love for the Game You’re cheering from the bleachers… but deep down, you’re wondering—am I doing more harm than good? In today’s powerful solo episode of the Swing Smarter Hitting Training Podcast , Joey Myers gets real about one of the most pressing questions in youth baseball and softball: “Am I p...

Is your young athlete flinching, freezing, or backing out of the batter’s box? You’re not alone—and this episode is here to help. In today’s episode of the Swing Smarter Hitting Training Podcast , Joey Myers dives headfirst into one of the most common (and least understood) roadblocks in youth baseball and softball: the fear of getting hit by a pitch. And this isn’t just a “toughen up” pep talk. I...

Your kid’s in a slump—and it’s not just about their swing. In this powerful episode of the Swing Smarter Hitting Training Podcast , host Joey Myers tackles one of the most emotional and misunderstood challenges in youth baseball and softball: hitting slumps. Whether your child is striking out looking, refusing to practice, or questioning if they’re even good anymore, this episode breaks down exact...

📘 Podcast Show Notes: Are you stressing over your young hitter’s mechanics too soon? In this powerful episode of the Swing Smarter Hitting Training Podcast , we dive headfirst into one of the most pressing questions parents ask: “Is my 8-year-old too young to focus on swing mechanics?” If you’ve ever watched your child freeze at the plate or second-guessed whether they’re falling behind, this con...

What does it take to steal 415 bases in the big leagues and raise a confident youth athlete today? In this power-packed episode, we sit down with former MLB outfielder Rajai Davis, best known for his iconic home run in Game 7 of the 2016 World Series, blazing speed, and relentless work ethic. But this conversation goes deeper than just baseball stats… Rajai opens up about coaching his 10-year-old...

What if your child’s throwing arm wasn’t just protected—but also powered up with every rep? In this inspiring episode of the Swing Smarter Hitting Training Podcast, we’re joined by Alan Jaeger of Jaeger Sports—renowned mental performance coach and creator of the world-famous J-Bands. This conversation goes far beyond warm-ups—diving into the mental, emotional, and physical strategies that elevate...

Is your child crushing it in practice but crumbling at the plate during games? You’re not alone—and you’re not crazy. In this episode of the Swing Smarter Hitting Training Podcast , host Joey Myers from HittingPerformanceLab.com pulls back the curtain on a question that’s burning up Reddit threads, Facebook parent groups, and Twitter/X feeds: Are hitting lessons actually worth it—or are they just...

🔥 Why This Episode Matters You’ve seen it: your young hitter steps into the box, takes two strikes without swinging, and walks back to the dugout with their head down. It’s not just a mechanical issue — it’s a confidence crisis. In this solo episode of the Swing Smarter Hitting Training Podcast , we unpack the three sneaky confidence killers sabotaging youth athletes — and how to fix them with si...

Is your kid’s swing getting hijacked by too many voices? In this episode of the Swing Smarter Hitting Training Podcast , we tackle one of the most common and frustrating issues in youth baseball and softball: swing confusion caused by conflicting coaching advice. From “hands high” to “barrel drop,” young hitters are being pulled in every direction — and it’s killing their confidence. 🎯 But there’...

Ever wonder why your child crushes BP but freezes during games? You’re not alone—and in this powerful episode of the Swing Smarter Hitting Training Podcast , we tackle one of the biggest frustrations in youth baseball and softball today: the practice-to-game disconnect . Host Joey Myers unpacks the neuroscience, training design flaws, and emotional triggers that sabotage performance under pressure...

Is year-round baseball holding your young hitter back? In this game-changing episode of the Swing Smarter Hitting Training Podcast , Joey Myers challenges the conventional wisdom of early specialization in youth sports—especially baseball and softball. Drawing on neuroscience, biomechanics, real-world examples, and expert insights from giants like Dr. James Andrews and Dr. Gio Valiante, Joey lays...

📘 Podcast Show Notes: Is your young hitter stiff, overthinking, or just plain stuck at the plate? You’re not alone—and this episode could change the way you coach forever. In this game-changing episode of the Swing Smarter Hitting Training Podcast , host Joey Myers dives deep into the performance-killing myth of mechanical perfection. What’s really keeping young hitters from unlocking their power...

📋 Show Notes 🔥 Episode Summary: If you're coaching a catcher, raising one, or simply curious how the best minds in baseball prepare youth athletes for game day leadership—this is your must-listen masterclass. In this episode, Joey Myers of HittingPerformanceLab.com sits down with legendary coach Jerry Weinstein , whose 60+ years of coaching experience span Team USA, the Colorado Rockies, and nea...

Are trending bats making your child a better hitter—or just messing up their mechanics? In this deep-dive episode of the Swing Smarter Hitting Training Podcast, host Joey Myers breaks down the viral “torpedo bat” phenomenon that’s recently been linked to home run surges in the New York Yankees clubhouse… and is now popping up in youth cages nationwide. But here's the catch: Just because MLB player...

What if everything you've heard about hip rotation, launch angles, and "getting on time" is only half the story? In this game-changing episode of the Swing Smarter podcast, Joey Myers sits down with Xen Penny, former Diamondbacks coach and now elite private hitting instructor, to dissect some of the most misunderstood (and miscoached) elements in hitting today. Coaches, parents, and players—if you...

In this groundbreaking episode of the Swing Smarter Hitting Training Podcast , Joey Myers sits down with Tim Nicely, the neural performance visionary behind V-Flex Sports. With over 25 years of deep neurological research and training experience with elite programs like the Oklahoma Sooners softball dynasty and 17+ MLB organizations, Tim reveals how training the brain—not just the swing—is the real...

Ever wonder why today's popular hitting methods often contradict the timeless techniques used by legendary Major Leaguers? In this power-packed episode of the Swing Smarter Hitting Training Podcast, host Joey Myers is joined by former MLB player Jeff Frye, the voice behind the provocative "She Gone" movement, renowned hitting analyst, and passionate advocate for traditional hitting fundamentals. J...