Comments on: How to Hit a Baseball

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.

on 8/8/2006 When you swing, step forward with your front foot and imagine you are crushing a bug with your back foot.

on 8/8/2006 Stay on your tip-toes and always have most of your weight on your back foot. Take this tip out for a spin and see how it works for you.

on 2/16/2007 When you step into the batters box, you should be picturing what you're going to do. Place your feet shoulder width apart. The middle of the bat should be over the middle of the plate. When the ball is about to leave the pitchers hand, start transferring your weight from the back to the front. Always watch the ball and swing right through. Don't always swing for power, but for contact. It's a lot better to hit the ball and get on base than to swing so hard you pull something or miss the ball.

on 7/19/2006 To hit line drives, make sure you keep your front arm down (like you are trying to keep a tennis ball under your armpit). This makes it so you will hit hard line drives instead of ground balls.

on 6/30/2006 The most important tip is to keep your elbow down! By raising your elbow you are influencing an upper-cut, which you don't want. And remember, include a full swing and keep your head down until the bat follows around your whole body. What I mean by your whole body is keep following through until you feel a stretch in your side. I would recommend Hit-A-Way to practice with and learn these steps I have told you.

on 6/30/2006 Get a grip on the bat with the handle of the bat in your fingers and not in the palm of your hand. Get in a balanced position, with your knees bent (this can be done if you stand outside of the batters box and then jump in and hold that position). Then place your hands a few inches from your body, with the bat a few inches from your back shoulder (or on your shoulder if you prefer). Then as the pitcher goes into his motion, take a small stride toward the pitcher and rotate your upper body back toward the catcher (this is called loading) and then swing the bat. Keep your head level with the least amount of movement. Keep the barrel level and finish with one or two hands (making sure when you make contact to have two hands on the bat), then after contact you can let your back hand off and finish with your front hand.

on 3/14/2006 First you need to get into the batters box and set yourself up. When you are in your stance, slightly turn your back foot in toward homeplate (this will help you because your body does not need to do as much work). Next, bring the bat up and slightly tilt it behind your head. Bring your elbow up and bend slightly at the waist. Bending at the waist over the plate keeps your head from moving during your swing. Make sure when you swing to turn your top half first and bottom half second, and swing hard. Swing down at the ball instead of dipping your back shoulder up. Swinging down at the ball will hit line drives, and dipping your shoulder will produce pop ups. The most effective hit is a line drive up the middle or to opposite field.

on 3/8/2006 Basically, when you see the ball coming and you're about to swing, pivot from your waist down first, then follow through with your upper body. Take your normal stride, but instead of spinning your entire body at once, spin from your waist down then whip your upper body around, but in a controlled whip. You don't want to be out of control in your swing.
Doing this a couple times, just standing at the side and practicing this, you'll feel yourself shift more power through your swing. It'll help you get a more powerful swing and, when you get used to it, you'll feel more control over you swing. Remember, waist first, then follow through with your upper body.

on 2/25/2006 The most important thing to do is see the ball; keep your head still and your eyes on the ball the whole time. Wait as long as possible before you swing, because the longer you wait - the less chance you will be fooled. Swing with a controlled and smooth motion, but swing hard and quick. See the ball, wait, swing through it aggressively and always keep your head still.

on 2/2/2006 Great hitters are often better at seeing the ball. It is imperative that you pick the ball up as close to the release point (when it leaves the pitchers hand) as possible. And watch it until you see the bat hit the ball. Ted Williams said that he could actually see the ball flatten with contact on his bat. Practice this by taking a pitch and following it into the catchers mitt.