These batting tips come from Cal Ripkin Sr, coach and manager of Baltimore Orioles and father of Cal Jr. so he must be a decent coach. I don't know much about baseball but I think all of these points hold true for cricket?

* Select a bat you can handle.
* Learn the strike zone - don't swing at bad pitches.
* Keep your front shoulder and chin tucked in, and your hands back.
* Turn your head so that both eyes are on the pitcher - don't look around your nose.
* Stay on the balls of your feet - keep off your heels. Keep your head still.
* In order to get the bat started, move your hands back slightly as the pitcher is getting ready to release the ball. * If you like the pitch, go ahead and hit it. If you don't like the pitch, then hold up your swing.
* Take a short step and stride - a long stride will only throw you off balance.
* Stay on top of the ball. A slight downward swing allows this and is a good way to keep from upper-cutting. Keeping the front shoulder in and down also allows a hitter to get the bat head out in front and prevents dropping the back shoulder.
* Learn to hit your strength. Every hitter has a strength just as every hitter has a weakness. Hit your pitch. When you get it, don't let it get away. Concentrate on solid, hard contact.

Steve J