TIPS
ON HITTING
Hitting
Tip # 9 (why no seats in
center field)
In
most major league stadiums, the
background directly behind the
pitcher is an expanse of black or
green. This area has no
spectators, signs or cameras and
so gives the hitter the best
possible background to see the
pitched ball.
Also,
to accommodate the hitter's view,
the second base umpire avoids the
area directly behind second base
during the pitch.
See
you in a couple of weeks
Hitting
Tip # 8
The
opportune time for a batter to
drop a bunt for a base hit occurs
when the third baseman is playing
behind the bag or when a pitcher
follows through too far to one
side of the mound.
The
best bunting lanes are very close
to the foul lines or just past
the pitcher and in front of the
second baseman. Bunts of this
type should flirt with the foul
lines instead of challenging an
infielder or pitcher for an easy
out.
Hitting
Tip # 7
In
preparing for a sacrifice bunt, a
batter first turns his body
toward the pitcher and slides his
top hand up to the bat's
trademark for balance and
control. He starts the bat at the
top of the strike zone and tilts
it on a 45-degree angle to
prevent pop-ups.
Finally,
as the ball approaches, he
maintains his eye level on the
same plane as his bat by bending
his knees.
Hitting
Tip # 6
A
good hitter constantly studies
the pitcher to detect certain
pitching patterns like
first-pitch fastballs. A pitcher
may even telegraph his intention
by movements like breathing
deeply before throwing a fast
ball.
Behind
the pitcher, an infielder or
catcher may also tip off a pitch
by shifting during the pitcher's
wind-up. Exploiting these
idiosyncrasies can turn a .250
hitter into a .280 hitter.
Hitting
Tip # 5
On
a 3-0 count a hitter has two
options. If he chooses to draw a
walk, he crowds the plate and
takes the next pitch. Crowding
the plate makes it difficult for
the pitcher to throw strikes.
If
the hitter chooses to hit, he
will mentally shrink his strike
zone and look to hit a pitch only
in his prime hitting area. He
will take any pitches outside
this area. This is always a good
approach until you have two
strikes on you.
Hitting
Tip # 4
In
the early part of the season,
some major-league hitters
struggle at the plate because
they are lunging at the ball. In
a fundamentally sound swing, the
hips and lower body come forward
first, followed by the hands.
When
the hitter lunges, his hips and
hands come forward at the same
time. This improper alignment
shifts all his weight to his
front foot and eliminates most of
his power.
Hitting
Tip # 3
In
an effort to increase the power
of his swing, the hitter will
strive for maximum arm extension.
If properly executed, the hitter
will form "the hitting
triangle" just after
contact.
The
triangle constitutes both arms
fully extended toward the bat and
the hitter's head tucked between
his shoulders.
Hitting
Tip # 2
Hitters
usually have about one-fifth of a
second to decide whether to swing
at a pitch, so it is vital they
"pick up" the ball from
the pitchers' hand as soon as
possible.
Good
hitters focus on the pitchers'
cap emblem because his throwing
arm will come out from behind his
head. With a sidearm pitcher, the
hitter focuses on the pitchers'
belt buckle because his throwing
arm will come out from behind his
hip.
Hitting
Tip # 1
Most
major-league line drive hitters
have one consistent
characteristic in their grips.
At
the instant the bat makes contact
with the ball, they have their
top hand directly behind the bat
and their bottom hand directly in
front of it. Once contact is made
the top hand begins to roll over
the bottom hand. This grip is a
vital part of a good line drive
swing.
These
tips are from the book
BASEBALL
INTELLECT
by
Larry Downes & D. Bruce
Gilbert
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Special
Mash Member Tip
This
comes from "stocky"
If you are
finding it hard keeping up with a
pitchers fastball. Try lifting
your back elbow a little higher,
a bit like Craig Counsel. This
reduces the length of your swing
whilst also gaining a quicker bat
speed and increasing power. I
have gone from a .250 hitter last
year in this grade to still
hitting 1.000 with 5 base hits
after 2 games, and now the first
grade coach is using me in 1st
grade as a pinch hitter. All I
can say is 'dare to dream'.
Mash Bats would
like to thank "stocky"
for his great hitting tips. A
short swing is hard to beat.
"Stocky" also makes a
great point, (DARE TO DREAM). Keep
working hard at what you do and
your dreams will come true.
This
comes from "chipper"
Keep a slight
knee bend and keep your bat
handle facing the opposite sides
batters box this will enable you
to have a level swing. Also don't
make a huge cock step because it
will throw your balance off. Good
luck!
Mash Bats would
like to thank "2bagger"
for his great hitting tips.
Balance is the key!!
This
comes from "2bagger"
Make sure you get
your hands back and your foot
down when the pitcher gets his
foot down. Get your hands inside
the ball and if its middle away
drive it that way. When you make
contact have your palm up.
Mash Bats would
like to thank "2bagger"
for his great hitting tips.
This
comes from "GLE"
You should always
train with a wood bat, by doing
so in a game if you use a metal
bat it will not be a bat any more
but a weapon. The wooden bat
helps you focus on hitting the
sweet spot, you receive faster
bat speed, and you can
effectively hit with a wood
bat(which many college players
trying to go pro cant even do and
must be put in camps to help them
on this aspect).
Mash Bats would
like to thank "GLE" for
his great ideas on using wood as
a training tool even if can use
metal in a game.
This
comes from "X"
When hitting the
ball be sure to keep your weight
back and through your hands
through the ball this will help
you beef-up your on base
percentage.
Mash Bats would
like to thank "X" or
his helpful tips on weight
transfer.
This
comes from "Ryno"
When you are on
second base and the ball is hit
deep in the outfield from left
center to right, looking like it
could be a homer. Don't go
half way. Tag-up because if
the fielder drops it or doesn't
get to it then you are still
going to make it home and if he
does catch it you will be able to
make it to third.
Mash Bats would
like to thank "Ryno"
for his helpful tips on base
running.
This
comes from "JJG13"
One vital tip
that turned my hitting around.
Keep your weight back so not to
lunge at the ball. Lunging
pre-determines where your bat is
going to go through the strike
zone. Keeping your weight back
allows for better control at the
plate and more time to look at
the upcoming pitch. Take my word
for it, 2 dingers in the game
where coach enlightened me.
Mash Bats would
like to thank "JJG13"
for his helpful tips on weight
transfer.
This
comes from "R. Aida"
As a batter I've
always had trouble with the
breaking ball. When I was
young I always waited for the gas
but as years went on I realized
the teams need for a complete
hitter. The technique I
found most manageable for picking
up the curve early is as follows.
( and it is not watching for an
adjustment/fiddling in the glove.
as a former pitcher I know how
smart pitchers work, I always
held the ball for my most
difficult pitch and
adjusted it from there.)
The moment you begin to pick up
the pitch (when the arm begins
forward) you must look for the
palm! at the release point
the pitchers palm will be facing
his target if he is throwing a
fastball or change, think of it
as a light. The bells go
off when you see the palm.
if you do not see the palm it is
because at the release point the
pitchers palm is facing first
base to get the tumbling or
sideways rotation ( sit back
). its easier to make sense
of it when you apply it on the
field. R Aida: If any metro
or coba senior teams are looking
for a firstbaseman/infielder I
was recently released from my
intercounty team and am looking
to catch-on somewhere for the
summer.
Mash Bats would
like to thank "R. Aida"
for his helpful tips on hitting
the curve ball.
This
comes from "DHNYP13"
When hitting for
the clutch, always aim for a spot
in the field where the fielders
aren't, even if it's right
between two infielders.
Preferably, the gaps are a nice
spot to hit it to.
Mash Bats would
like to thank "DHNYP13" for
his focus on ball placement, it's
not how hard you hit it but where
you hit it.
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