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Step 1
Remember that switch hitting is simply the opposite of what you normally do. For example, if you're naturally right handed, you need to remember to place your left hand over your right when holding the bat. Get comfortable with holding the bat differently before you even try to take a swing.
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Step 2
Begin by hitting a baseball from a tee from the opposite side of the plate. This will get you more comfortable with your new batting stance and swing. Don't be afraid to look silly when learning how to switch hit. Hitting from both sides of the plate only comes natural to a handful of people.
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Step 3
Take batting practice with underhand tosses while hitting from the opposite side of the plate. After you are more comfortable with your new swing, try to hit some moving pitches. These slow tosses will give you experience in seeing a moving ball from the other side of the plate, which will better prepare you to switch hit in a game time situation.
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Step 4
Work with somebody who hits from the opposite side of the plate. For example, if you're a right handed hitter, ask one of your left handed friends to help you make your swing more natural. You probably won't be as good a hitter from the opposite side of the plate as you are from your natural side. The point here is to make your swing less of a forced motion. You want your swing from the opposite side of the plate to be as fluid as your normal swing.
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Step 5
Begin taking swings from the opposite side of the plate against game time pitches in a practice situation. This will let you know if you're ready to switch hit in an actual game. Once again, don't worry about doing poorly while taking these swings. The point of practice is to pinpoint your flaws and correct them.
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Step 6
Do not neglect your normal swing. Many batters learning how to switch hit will simply stop taking swings from his normal side of the plate. This will hurt your on-base percentage. Use a system to make sure that you're taking enough swings from both sides of the plate. For example, when trying to learn how to switch hit, you could take one of every three at-bats from your normal side of the plate.
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Step 7
Use your switch hitting capabilities in a game only when you're ready. When a southpaw is pitching, hit from the right side of the plate. When a right handed pitcher is on the mound, switch it to the left side. Make sure that you're are fully confident in your ability to get on base as a switch hitter before you attempt it in a game. Otherwise, you could cost your team an out.
