Transitioning From Batting Cage to the Game
Here is a question I got recently from the parent of one of my students: How can I get my son to translate the success he has in the batting practice cage into the game?
To answer this question, I will make some assumptions. One, in batting practice, the coach is closer than normal. Two, he is not throwing as hard. Three, it's practice. No pressure. And four, the fear factor.
Staying Within Yourself
As the baseball playoffs begin, it is a great time to watch and see what the best hitters in the game do. You will not be able to see the preparation they do before the game and in the clubhouse, but you will see each at-bat. The best hitters know the type of hitters they are. They know which pitches they handle best, study pitcher’s tendencies, and wait for their pitch. They go up to the plate with a plan and execute it.
The Hitting Stance
It is always said that every hitter has their own different style. Another common phrase is it’s not where you start, but where you finish. Both of those statements are true. But there are some starting points that can’t be overcome and will inhibit the hitter’s swing before it even starts. If you look closely at major league hitters, the vast majority of them possess the same basic fundamentals at each and every key point in their swing. Their stance is no different.
Hitters Checklist
Hitting Skills Checklist
Switch Hitting
Great hitters possess a few characteristics that set them apart from the rest of the crowd. One, they have an uncanny knack for timing. They know exactly when to swing the bat. Two, they have great body control. They always put their body in a position to succeed. If they are fooled on a pitch, they are still able to get a piece of it and foul it off or get enough wood on it to get a base hit. Third, they have great eye-hand coordination. They know exactly where the bat head needs to be, when it needs to be there.
How to Coach a Hitter During the Game
There are very few hitting faults that can be corrected during the game. The job of a hitting coach isn’t necessarily to teach during the game, but to motivate and encourage his players. Practice is the time to teach. However, there are subtle points a coach can make that can help a struggling hitter.
Tee Work Fundamentals
The tee is absolutely one of the best hitting tools around. Inside every major league clubhouse you will see a tee. There may be different variations of it, but the concept remains the same. The better you can get at utilizing the tee, the better your hitters will become. The tee is an excellent tool for showing the hitter where in the hitting zone pitches need to be hit and an excellent tool for creating muscle memory. Here are few tips to ensure that you are using the tee properly.
Hitting Guidelines - Set-up
Your stance sets the tone for your whole swing. A proper set-up puts your body in a strong position, every time. Take your time to get it right. If it takes you a few extra seconds to get it right, then take the time. It can make a huge difference in your swing.
Baseball T-Shirts
Check out our new t-shirts here:
Baseball Zone T-Shirts
Newsletter Signup
Hi! I'm Coach Dan.
Let me show you how to run better practices with my proven practice plans. Read More...
Purchase a Membership
Special Preseason Prices!
Working with young players is a constant challenge. Baseball Zone helps you plan practices quickly, giving you a solid practice plan in no time. These are some of the same drills we used at the major league level.
Mike MacFarlane
Former Catcher
Kansas City Royals
Owner, Mac-N-Seitz Baseball Academy
Baseball Zone is a fundamental but advanced approach to the game of baseball and its endless preparation. This program is as good as there is, the passion shows.
Jim Benedict
Special Assistant to
the General Manager
Pittsburgh Pirates
Baseball Zone's drills and techniques are what every player needs to master to get to the next level.
Lee Driggers
Head Baseball Coach
Wheaton College