How to Hit a Baseball Far
Hitting a baseball far is one of the more difficult tasks in the game. It requires distance, hand-eye coordination and power. Form is the most crucial aspect to hitting a ball far, as the slightest misstep can result in a pop fly or a weak ground ball. By taking the swing back to the basics and focusing on explosive bat speed, a player can increase his chances of hitting a ball far.
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Instructions
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Grip
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Set your feet at about shoulder width apart.
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Place your hands outward, as if you were going to shake someone's hand. Grip the bat lightly (but with secure control) in your fingers. The front knuckles of your hand should roughly line up.
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Place your hands around your shoulder. A right-handed hitter will have his hands above his right shoulder; a left-handed hitter will have them above his left shoulder. Your back elbow can be up or down, just as long as it doesn't cause your hands to drop when you start your swing.
Contact
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Time your swing to make contact with the ball when it's in the center of your stance. Everybody's rhythm is different, but there needs to be an internal motion that prepares you for the incoming ball. This can be through a slight bouncing on the lead food or rhythmically moving your fingers on the bat.
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Twist your hips quickly toward the pitcher. This needs to be a violent, explosive twist to ensure more power. The more power in your swing, the further the ball will go.
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Move your hands directly toward the ball. The bat will follow on the same path as your hands. To ensure contact, keep the bat level on the same plane as the ball for as long as possible. If your hands or bat are not on the same plane as the ball, you will hit a smaller piece, and the ball won't go as far as you'd like.
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Watch the ball make contact with the sweet spot (middle of the barrel) of the bat. Your arms should be in "V" at contact. This is the most powerful point in your swing, and will increase the distance of the ball.
Follow Through
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Flick your wrists violently during and after contact. Your power is generated through the initial twisting of the hips and channeled to your hands. The quicker you get the bat to the ball, the further the ball will go.
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Keep your elbows close to the body throughout the swing. The tighter your keep your hands to your body before and after contact will increase your bat speed. The quicker you get your bat to and through the ball, the harder you will hit the ball.
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Allow the force of your swing to carry your hands, arms, and bat to your left side (for right handed hitters).
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Tips & Warnings
At the end of your swing, your lead foot should be straight and your pivot foot should be at an angle. Your hips should be facing the pitcher and your back foot should be on its toes.
Strong forearms are the key to power. When you are training, focus heavily on flicking the bat with your wrists to increase the strength in your forearms. This will add power to your swing and make the ball go further.
References
- Photo Credit Siri Stafford/Digital Vision/Getty Images
