What is Craig Counsell's batting stance?

Craig Counsell's batting stance is a unique and effective approach to hitting that he developed during his playing days. It is characterized by a wide stance, with his feet shoulder-width apart and his knees slightly bent. He holds the bat high and close to his body, with his hands close together. When he swings, he keeps his head down and his eyes on the ball, and he drives through the ball with his hips and legs.

Counsell's batting stance has helped him to become a successful hitter throughout his career. He is a career .282 hitter with over 2,000 hits, and he has hit over 100 home runs. He has also been a key part of several successful teams, including the 2001 World Series champion Arizona Diamondbacks.

Personal details and bio data of Craig Counsell:

Name	Craig Counsell
Born	November 21, 1969 (age 53)
Birthplace	South Bend, Indiana
Playing career	19922006
Position	Second baseman
Teams	Milwaukee Brewers, Florida Marlins, Arizona Diamondbacks, Los Angeles Dodgers
Batting stance	Right-handed
Throwing arm	Right-handed

Transition to main article topics:

Counsell's batting stance is a key part of his success as a hitter.
He has used it to become a career .282 hitter with over 2,000 hits.
He has also been a key part of several successful teams, including the 2001 World Series champion Arizona Diamondbacks.

Craig Counsell Batting Stance

Wide stance
Knees slightly bent
Bat held high
Hands close together
Head down
Eyes on the ball

These six key aspects of Craig Counsell's batting stance all contribute to his success as a hitter. His wide stance gives him a solid base from which to swing, and his slightly bent knees allow him to generate power. He holds the bat high and close to his body to keep it in the hitting zone, and his hands close together give him better control of the bat. Finally, he keeps his head down and his eyes on the ball to track it all the way into the hitting zone.

Craig Counsell's batting stance is a model of efficiency and effectiveness. It is a stance that has helped him to become a successful hitter throughout his career.

1. Wide stance

A wide stance is an important component of Craig Counsell's batting stance. It gives him a solid base from which to swing, and it allows him to generate more power. When a batter has a wide stance, their feet are shoulder-width apart or wider, and their knees are slightly bent. This position creates a stable base from which to swing the bat, and it allows the batter to generate more power by using their legs and hips to drive the ball.

Craig Counsell's wide stance is a key part of his success as a hitter. He is a career .282 hitter with over 2,000 hits, and he has hit over 100 home runs. He has also been a key part of several successful teams, including the 2001 World Series champion Arizona Diamondbacks.

Many other successful hitters have also used a wide stance, including Ted Williams, Mickey Mantle, and Hank Aaron. A wide stance is not the only factor that contributes to success in hitting, but it is an important component of many successful hitters' stances.

2. Knees slightly bent

In Craig Counsell's batting stance, his knees are slightly bent. This is an important aspect of his stance because it allows him to generate more power and control when he swings the bat.

Stability
Slightly bent knees provide a more stable base from which to swing the bat. This is especially important for hitters who like to generate power from their legs, as it allows them to plant their feet firmly and drive through the ball.
Power
When a hitter's knees are slightly bent, they are able to use their legs to generate more power in their swing. This is because the legs are the largest muscle group in the body, and they can provide a significant amount of force when they are used properly.
Control
Slightly bent knees also give hitters more control over their swing. This is because it allows them to keep their weight centered and their head still, which is essential for making solid contact with the ball.

Overall, slightly bent knees are an important aspect of Craig Counsell's batting stance because they allow him to generate more power and control when he swings the bat. This is a key factor in his success as a hitter.

3. Bat held high

In Craig Counsell's batting stance, he holds the bat high and close to his body. This is an important aspect of his stance because it allows him to keep the bat in the hitting zone longer and make solid contact with the ball. Holding the bat high also allows him to see the ball better and track it all the way into the hitting zone.

Contact
Holding the bat high and close to the body allows Craig Counsell to make solid contact with the ball. This is because it keeps the bat in the hitting zone longer, giving him more time to track the ball and make adjustments to his swing.
Power
While holding the bat high may not seem like it would generate more power, it actually can. This is because it allows Craig Counsell to use his upper body and core strength to generate power through his swing.
Control
Holding the bat high and close to the body also gives Craig Counsell more control over his swing. This is because it allows him to keep his weight centered and his head still, which is essential for making solid contact with the ball.
Vision
Holding the bat high and close to the body also allows Craig Counsell to see the ball better and track it all the way into the hitting zone. This is important because it allows him to make adjustments to his swing and make solid contact with the ball.

Overall, holding the bat high and close to the body is an important aspect of Craig Counsell's batting stance. It allows him to make solid contact with the ball, generate power, and have more control over his swing.

4. Hands close together

In Craig Counsell's batting stance, his hands are close together. This is an important aspect of his stance because it allows him to have more control over the bat and make solid contact with the ball. When his hands are close together, he is able to keep the bat on a level plane and swing it through the hitting zone with more consistency.

Having his hands close together also helps Craig Counsell to generate more power in his swing. When his hands are close together, he is able to use his wrists and forearms to generate more torque, which translates to more power at the point of contact. This is especially important for a player like Counsell, who is not known for his home run power. He relies on his ability to make solid contact and drive the ball into the gaps, and having his hands close together helps him to do that.

Overall, having his hands close together is an important aspect of Craig Counsell's batting stance. It allows him to have more control over the bat, make solid contact with the ball, and generate more power in his swing.

Other hitters who have used a similar batting stance with their hands close together include Derek Jeter, Ichiro Suzuki, and Tony Gwynn. These hitters were all known for their ability to make solid contact and hit for a high average. While there is no guarantee that having your hands close together will make you a successful hitter, it is certainly a common trait among many great hitters.

5. Head down

In Craig Counsell's batting stance, he keeps his head down and his eyes on the ball. This is an important aspect of his stance because it allows him to track the ball all the way into the hitting zone and make solid contact. When his head is down, he is able to focus on the ball and not be distracted by the pitcher or other factors. This allows him to make the necessary adjustments to his swing and make solid contact with the ball.

Keeping his head down also helps Craig Counsell to generate more power in his swing. When his head is down, he is able to use his core and leg muscles to generate more power through his swing. This is especially important for a player like Counsell, who is not known for his home run power. He relies on his ability to make solid contact and drive the ball into the gaps, and keeping his head down helps him to do that.

Overall, keeping his head down is an important aspect of Craig Counsell's batting stance. It allows him to track the ball all the way into the hitting zone, make solid contact with the ball, and generate more power in his swing.

6. Eyes on the ball

In Craig Counsell's batting stance, he keeps his eyes on the ball throughout his swing. This is a key aspect of his stance because it allows him to track the ball all the way into the hitting zone and make solid contact. Keeping his eyes on the ball also helps him to stay balanced and under control throughout his swing.

Tracking the ball
Keeping his eyes on the ball allows Craig Counsell to track the ball all the way into the hitting zone. This is important because it allows him to make adjustments to his swing based on the pitch's location and speed. It also helps him to avoid swinging at pitches outside the strike zone.
Staying balanced
Keeping his eyes on the ball also helps Craig Counsell to stay balanced throughout his swing. This is important because it allows him to generate power and control through his swing. If he loses his balance, he will be less likely to make solid contact with the ball.
Staying under control
Keeping his eyes on the ball also helps Craig Counsell to stay under control throughout his swing. This is important because it allows him to make the necessary adjustments to his swing based on the pitch's location and speed. If he loses control of his swing, he will be more likely to swing at pitches outside the strike zone or make weak contact with the ball.

Overall, keeping his eyes on the ball is an important aspect of Craig Counsell's batting stance. It allows him to track the ball all the way into the hitting zone, stay balanced and under control throughout his swing, and make solid contact with the ball.

FAQs about Craig Counsell's Batting Stance

Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about Craig Counsell's batting stance:

Question 1: What are the key components of Craig Counsell's batting stance?

The key components of Craig Counsell's batting stance are:

Wide stance
Knees slightly bent
Bat held high
Hands close together
Head down
Eyes on the ball

Question 2: Why does Craig Counsell keep his head down when he swings?

Craig Counsell keeps his head down when he swings to track the ball all the way into the hitting zone and make solid contact. Keeping his head down also helps him to stay balanced and under control throughout his swing.

Question 3: How does Craig Counsell's batting stance help him to generate power?

Craig Counsell's batting stance helps him to generate power by allowing him to use his legs, hips, and core to drive through the ball. His wide stance and slightly bent knees give him a stable base from which to swing, and his high hands and close grip allow him to generate more torque.

Question 4: What are some of the benefits of using Craig Counsell's batting stance?

Some of the benefits of using Craig Counsell's batting stance include:

Increased power
Improved contact
Better balance
Greater control

Question 5: Is Craig Counsell's batting stance suitable for all hitters?

Craig Counsell's batting stance is not necessarily suitable for all hitters. However, it can be a good starting point for hitters who are looking to improve their power and contact. It is important to experiment with different batting stances to find one that is comfortable and effective for you.

Summary of key takeaways:

Craig Counsell's batting stance is a unique and effective approach to hitting.
The key components of his stance are a wide stance, slightly bent knees, a high bat, close hands, a down head, and eyes on the ball.
His stance helps him to generate power, improve contact, and maintain balance and control.

Transition to the next article section:

In the next section, we will discuss the evolution of Craig Counsell's batting stance over the course of his career.

Conclusion

Craig Counsell's batting stance is a unique and effective approach to hitting that has helped him to become a successful hitter throughout his career. His stance is characterized by a wide stance, slightly bent knees, a high bat, close hands, a down head, and eyes on the ball. This stance allows him to generate power, improve contact, and maintain balance and control.

Counsell's batting stance is a model of efficiency and effectiveness. It is a stance that has helped him to become a career .282 hitter with over 2,000 hits, and he has also been a key part of several successful teams, including the 2001 World Series champion Arizona Diamondbacks. His stance is a testament to his hard work and dedication, and it is a stance that can be emulated by hitters of all levels.