BILLINGS — How can a 70-year-old out-hit a teenager in their prime? Rich Schenck, the hitting coach of New York Yankees’ star Aaron Judge, attributes this to mastering proper swing mechanics. Schenck recently shared his renowned swing technique tips to local youth players, emphasizing a unique motion that enhances bat speed and power.

“Nike Swoosh” Swing Method Explained by Schenck

Schenck taught that most hitters push their bats straight forward, but he insists the bat should move backward first, resembling the shape of a Nike swoosh before snapping forward. This approach, which Schenck calls “launch quickness,” helped elevate Judge’s performance, who is currently hitting close to .400 this season.

“Most people push their bat forward. I believe it needs to be like a Nike swoosh and go backward before it goes forward,”

Schenck explained recently to MTN Sports.

Local Youth Players Practice New Swing Techniques

At Pirtz Field in Billings, Schenck worked with young athletes eager to improve their batting. Tanner Stiegemeier, a 15-year-old, demonstrated his current swing style and expressed his goal to refine it.

“I’m hoping I can get it more up,”

Tanner said as he showed his swing movement.

Other teens like Gehrig Hust, 13, and Chase Langford also praised the importance of hand speed and bat velocity in their batting development.

“I got to get my hands quick,”

Hust shared.

“Probably quick hands and bat speed … bat velocity,”

added Langford.

Coaches and Youth Sports Organizations Collaborate to Spread Skill Development

Schenck’s visit to Billings was part of a brief trip while visiting family in nearby Belgrade. He supported local efforts with the Montana Institute of Sport, working alongside coaches like Bobby Beers to promote youth baseball development.

“In three short years, we’ve been able to get into 200 schools, develop P.E. curriculums, support coaches and create opportunities for youth sports,”

said J.D. Stephenson, CEO of the institute and son-in-law to Schenck.

“I think one of the things kids this young don’t understand is the consistency it takes (to succeed at a high level),”

Beers added.

From College Catcher to Mentor: Schenck’s Journey to Perfecting the Swing

Schenck’s development of the “Nike swoosh” swing was inspired by his devotion to improving his boys’ baseball skills through early internet research. Though he never played professionally, he competed as a Division II college catcher and aspired to hit like Barry Bonds, whom he regards as one of the greatest hitters ever.

“This thing called the internet was new, and I started going online to get information to help my boys enjoy the game better,”

Schenck recalled.

“He was the best hitter in the game at that time, and maybe forever,”

Schenck said of Bonds.

Using video analysis in his basement, Schenck studied every element of Bonds’ swing, comparing lead arm, head position, bat path, and leg movement to perfect his own technique.

“I would ask, what’s his lead arm doing … my lead arm doing? What’s his head doing … my head doing? What’s his bat doing, my bat … my leg, his leg?”

Breakthrough Moment Coaching Aaron Judge in the Minor Leagues

Nearly a decade ago, Schenck experienced a career-defining moment when he worked with a struggling minor league Aaron Judge. Despite their different ages and physiques, Schenck demonstrated that technique outweighed raw strength.

“The first day I was with Aaron, I put a ball on a tee for him and a ball on a tee for me. I was 62 years old and looked like this … and he was 24 and just a physically cut specimen. And he could not hit the ball before me,”

Schenck said.

This moment proved pivotal, as Judge embraced the technique, leading to his breakthrough as the American League Rookie of the Year in 2017, an honor not achieved by a Yankee since Derek Jeter.

Continuing Influence and Commitment to Youth Development

Today, Schenck continues to mentor both elite Major League hitters and young players alike, maintaining his focus on swing mechanics that maximize quickness and power. His teachings resonate locally in Billings and beyond, representing an invaluable resource in youth baseball training.