How to Hit a Baseball

It's a deep fly ball ... heading way, way back ... to the wall and over. It is outta here! Oh, the sounds of baseball. Follow these steps to hit a baseball successfully.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Bats
• Balls
• Balls
• Gloves
• Gloves
• Gloves

1. Hold the bat as you would an ax. Right-handers, place your left hand near the knob at the end of the bat and your right hand above that. Left-handers, use the opposite placement.

2. Place the curve of the bat in the middle of your fingers, not in the palm of your hand, and grip the bat firmly. Gloves can help you avoid blisters and have a better grip.

3. Stand in the batter's box. Different locations relative to the mound provide advantages for various types of pitches. For example, standing toward the rear of the batter's box gives you slightly more time to react to a fastball.

4. Assume a comfortable and effective stance. Try various foot angles and positions until you find one that works for you. Slightly bend your knees and spread your legs wide enough to maintain balance, usually a little more than shoulder width apart.

5. Hold the bat near the top of the strike zone, with your hands at about the height of your armpits. Hold your arms slightly away from your body but not extended. Bend your knees.

6. Step toward the pitch as the ball leaves the pitcher's hand. Keep your head and upper torso steady, eyes focused on the ball, as you stride toward the ball with your lower body.

7. Keep your hands and shoulders still as you move toward the pitch.

8. Recognize the pitch, and then go after the ball. Keep your swing level and stay behind the ball, exploding into the pitch.

9. Complete the swing by pivoting forward and shifting your weight from your back foot to your front foot, bracing your front leg as your back foot turns.

10. Keep your elbows close to your body as the bat follows a compact circle through the strike zone. Try to watch the bat strike the ball, keeping your head steady and chin tucked in. Remember to follow through, swinging the bat completely around your upper torso - don't stop the swing when the bat hits the ball.

Tips & Warnings

• Establish the right mentality before stepping up to the plate. A hitter needs not only quick reflexes and upper-body strength, but also guts to stand up to a smoking
• four-seam fastball.
• Select a comfortable bat so that you stay controlled and balanced through the strike zone. Remember that a heavier bat will not miraculously transform you into a power hitter, and a light bat can go a long way to greater bat speed.
• Follow your coach's advice about things like batting stance and grip.
• Always wear a helmet when batting.

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[skaizun]

on 5/17/2009 Interesting that nobody has mentioned where the batter is supposed to stand at the plate: on the right side (i.e., closest to the first base line) for a lefty or on the left side (i.e., closest to the third base line) for a righty.

on 2/16/2007 The grip: the bat should be held in the palm of the bottom (power) hand and in the fingers of the top (control) hand. This should line up the middle (knocking knuckles) of the hands.

The stance: feet shoulder width apart, front foot slightly closer to home plate then the back foot, hands at shoulder height and a little behind the head. Elbows in a relaxed position, eyes focused, but not staring, at a spot next to the pitcher's head on the throwing hand side. This is usually the first place you will be able to pick up the ball. As the pitcher's hand approaches the release point, the batter's front foot should take a small timing stride forward and the hands should move slightly straight back. As the ball approaches the batter the hips should start to open, the hands should start to move forward. At this point, the batter decides to continue with the swing or not, if not, the hands stop moving, if yes, the hands should move toward the ball. The top hand guides the head of the bat at the ball and the bottom is pulling hard, the hips continue to open, the eyes should stay level. As the head of the bat moves across the plate the front leg should be straightening up and the back leg should be bending slightly. As the bat contacts the ball, usually slightly in front of the plate, the batter's head should be looking down at the contact point - the top hand's palm should be facing up , the bottom hand should be pulling hard - after contact, the top wrist should rollover the bottom hand and follow through with the swing.

on 8/8/2006 Imagine a nail going straight through your body and you can't move. You can only use your hands and feet, and you have the perfect batting form.

on 8/8/2006 If you want to hit a ball to the opposite field, plant your front foot toward the front of the plate, so your feet are at a slant. Bat normally, but the ball should head toward the opposite field. You will have to get used to it, so practice!

on 8/8/2006 Step the same and swing the same, just wait longer and you will crush the ball the opposite way. It helped me a lot.