How to Be a Left-Handed Power Hitter

Left handers generally hit right-handed pitching better.

There are two elements to being a left-handed power hitter in baseball. The first is being a left-handed hitter, the second being a power hitter. You may be able to bat right- or left-handed, but being comfortable in a left-handed stance is essential to left-handed power hitting. Many famous hitters have been left-handed, including Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig and Ted Williams.

Things You'll Need

• baseball
• baseball bat
• protective equipment

Instructions

Preparation

1. Make sure you have the correct equipment. Right- and left-handed hitters can use any baseball bat, but you should wear left-handed batting gloves and a left-hander's helmet which provides protection to the right side of the temple, the side facing the pitcher.

2. 

   Practice helps develop patience at the plate, as well as technique.

   Although the objective is to be a power hitter, left-handers should also practice situational hitting and bunting. The left-hander stands on the first base side of the batting plate and his swing turns him naturally towards first base. This gives him an advantage in hitting short singles and bunting.

3. Practice hitting against left-handed pitching. Left-handers have an advantage in baseball because the majority of pitchers are right-handed, and a ball thrown by a right-hander is easier for a left-handed hitter to see early and hit. To be a well-rounded lefty power hitter, it is important to hit left-handed pitching consistently, too.

4. Whether right- or left-handed, strength and fitness are important for any hitter, especially a power hitter. In addition to taking batting practice, you should find a suitable, season-long weight training program to develop muscle strength, as well as a speed training program which not only improves running speed but also reaction times and ability to switch direction when running.

Hitting with Power

1. Tips for power hitting apply to both left- and right-handed hitters. The key to power is bat speed. One way to increase bat speed is through focused strength training programs. Repeatedly rotating shoulders and hips while using weights or an overhead pulley for resistance reproduces the effect of swinging a bat that is heavier than a regular baseball bat. Training in this way will make the bat seem light when you actually come to the plate to hit, allowing you to swing through the ball with greater speed.

2. 

   Many great power hitters have been left-handed.

   Another important element of power hitting is wrist and forearm strength. Rather than focus on weight training for wrist and forearm in isolation (e.g. forearm curls), some experts recommend compound weight exercises which involve the whole body. These include straightforward weight lifting exercises like dead lifts and power snatches. To improve grip, use towels or padding around the bar of the weights, forcing wrists and hands to exert themselves to get a good grip.

3. Speed and strength are only part of the equation for power hitters. You must also become adept at picking the right pitch to hit. Use batting practice to build concentration and patience at the plate. Fast, powerful swings at change-ups or balls too far outside the strike zone cleanly are a waste of strikes and energy. Part of the art of power hitting is forcing the pitcher to throw a middle-of-the-plate strike, ideal for crushing.

References

• "Baseball Skills and Drills"; John Winkin; 2001
• "The Ultimate Guide to Weight Training for Baseball"; Robert G. Price; 2006