| There's more to baseball hitting than it might | | | | before you swing. This refers both to bat position |
| seem at first. In fact, hitting a baseball has been | | | | and to your stride. Do it right, and you'll hit more |
| called one of the hardest things in sports! Why is | | | | solidly and more consistently. |
| it so hard? Some say it's the curvature of the | | | | Striding refers to the way you move your front |
| ball, plus the curvature of the bat. Others say it's | | | | foot during loading. About the time the pitcher lifts |
| all in our reaction to the ball, and our tendency to | | | | his or her knee; your front knee should come up |
| swing too soon or too late. If you're working on | | | | and then back, toward the catcher. How high you |
| your baseball training and want to improve your | | | | lift your knee will vary according to what you |
| hitting, this article will help. | | | | prefer, but after that, you need to shift your |
| To get better results, your body and mind have | | | | weight to the back leg. |
| to be working together. That's a lot harder than it | | | | This is so that when the pitcher releases the ball, |
| sounds, however. Even if your mind knows | | | | you're striding towards the pitcher, bringing your |
| exactly what to do, you have to train your body | | | | body weight forward again. Make sure you use a |
| to respond correctly. That means being in the | | | | short stride for the front foot - about six inches, |
| right stance and position, having the right grip, and | | | | and that this foot is down long before the ball |
| knowing when to swing. You'll also need good | | | | reaches home. Keep the handle of the bat near |
| form during the swing and follow through if you | | | | your back shoulder when the front foot lands, |
| want to succeed as a hitter. | | | | with the barrel above and behind your head. |
| Baseball Hitting Stance | | | | Swing and Follow Through |
| One of the things you should learn as part of | | | | Swinging, also called firing, is also important, as is |
| your baseball training is the correct stance. This | | | | your follow through. Swing the barrel directly |
| refers to the position of the bat and your body | | | | towards the ball, making sure you hit the ball with |
| while you're waiting for the pitch. You'll need to | | | | the bat's sweet spot - about two to six inches |
| have your feet about shoulder-width apart, and | | | | from the top end. Extend your arms right before |
| the foot that's closest to the pitcher must be | | | | the ball makes contact, keeping the bat on the |
| lined up close to the home plate's front edge. | | | | same plane as the ball. |
| Not sure if you're in the right position? You can | | | | To maximize bat speed and lower body strength, |
| check it by seeing if you can tap the outside of | | | | turn your hips during the swing, pivoting on the |
| the home plate with the end of your bat. | | | | ball of your rear foot. Keep your eyes on the ball |
| Remember to keep your feet parallel and pointing | | | | at all times, and don't turn your head with your |
| towards home. Knees should be bent slightly - | | | | body. After you've contacted the ball, keep the |
| how much depends on what you prefer. Bend | | | | bat on a smooth path. It should be heading slightly |
| slightly at your waist, too, keeping the handle of | | | | upward, and you'll finish the swing by rolling your |
| the bat near your back shoulder and the barrel | | | | hands over. The handle of the bat will stop around |
| behind and above your head. | | | | your opposite shoulder, with the barrel wrapping |
| Gripping the Bat Correctly | | | | around your upper back. |
| Bat grip is important, too. You should line up the | | | | Tips to Help Your Baseball Training |
| middle knuckles of both hands, though some | | | | Of course, there are some things beyond proper |
| people prefer not to make a perfect line. They | | | | form that will help your baseball hitting. For one, |
| should be close, though. Hold the bat comfortably | | | | look for a fast bat that's not too clumsy or |
| - never squeeze it. | | | | heavy for you to handle. While a heavy bat will |
| Loading in Baseball Hitting | | | | end up going more quickly, it won't help you if it's |
| Many inexperienced hitters find that they're | | | | too heavy for you to use. Look for good pitches |
| swinging after the ball has already passed. A lot of | | | | - after a while, you'll know which ones will end up |
| the time, this happens because they haven't | | | | with a strike, and which ones are worth trying for. |
| reached the load position early enough. This is the | | | | Learn your strengths and weaknesses - every |
| position that your bat and body must be in right | | | | hitter has them - and play to them. |