| How one faces the pitcher is a very important | | | | arrive near the "meat end" of the bat. |
| part of a base ball game. Generally speaking, the | | | | For example: If the pitch comes directly over the |
| back end of the plate should be about even with | | | | center of the plate, the hitter can step along a line |
| the middle of the hitter's body. The big end of the | | | | parallel to one running between the pitcher and |
| bat should extend to one or two inches beyond | | | | the plate. (He has already made certain, with his |
| the outside edge of the plate when the arms are | | | | practice swing, that the heavy end of the bat |
| fully extended. The type of pitcher and the | | | | would come over the heart of the plate). If the |
| situation tells the batter how to adjust. If the | | | | ball is wide, he should adjust the direction of his |
| pitcher is very fast and relies on his fast ball most | | | | step accordingly. He cannot possibly hit the ball |
| of the time, the batter should stand as far back | | | | well if he steps the same way on an inside and |
| as possible. | | | | outside pitch-he must adjust the step. |
| If the pitcher uses a curve most of the time, the | | | | In addition, he must adjust the level of his swing if |
| batter ought to move to the front of the box | | | | the ball is low. If the batter holds his hands in the |
| and try to hit the curve before it breaks. If a | | | | position I advocate-just below the level of the |
| runner is on base and the "Steal" sign is flashed, | | | | Power Shoulder -he need only adjust the hands |
| the batter should stand back as far as he can so | | | | for pitches in the strike zone that are above the |
| the catcher will be forced back a few steps, | | | | belt line. The Power Shoulder is the one opposite |
| adding to the length of his throw. If the count is | | | | to the shoulder above the arm that guides the |
| three balls and no strikes, the batter should crowd | | | | bat. |
| the plate and make as tough a target as he can | | | | Below the belt line, he should bend his knees so |
| for the pitcher. | | | | that the bat still remains level with the ground as |
| Hit It Where It's Pitched! | | | | it goes around. Except when trying to place-hit, |
| Once the pitcher starts his move, the batter | | | | always hit the ball in front, or to the pitcher's side |
| wants to stand absolutely still, but relaxed, never | | | | of the plate. |
| taking his eyes off the pitcher. He concentrates | | | | Ball players talk a great deal about "pulling" the ball |
| most when the pitcher is about to release the ball. | | | | and "hitting to right", or "hitting to left". For a |
| It's not a good practice to try to follow the ball all | | | | young hitter, he should : "hit the ball where it is |
| through the pitcher's windup. As the ball comes | | | | pitched." That means this to a right hand hitter |
| whistling toward the plate, the batter must get | | | | (the opposite to a left-hander): If the ball is |
| into the habit of watching it all the way-until it | | | | "outside", hit directly into right field. If it's inside, hit |
| actually meets the bat. He must not pull his head | | | | into left field. If it's over the center of the plate, |
| away from the plate until after the ball has been | | | | hit into center field. |
| hit. | | | | By doing this you can hit with full power and have |
| The batter must start the weight forward early! | | | | a better chance of getting solid wood on the ball. |
| Take your stride as the pitcher's striding foot hits | | | | You also keep the defense from "ganging" up on |
| the ground. | | | | you. |
| When learning to hit the ball in base ball, starting | | | | A boy who always hits to the same base ball field |
| the forward stride and striding in the right | | | | is not as valuable to his team as the boy who hits |
| direction are equally important. Always step | | | | to all fields. Practise hard to be that boy! |
| toward the ball, but move so that the ball will | | | | |