| One of the most common hitting problems | | | | hitter is required to read the number before |
| involves hitters taking their eye off the ball before | | | | looking for the hit ball. |
| making contact. Solving this problem is rarely as | | | | 3. Behind the hitter flips are great for keeping a |
| simple as just telling a hitter to "Keep your eye | | | | hitters head in on the ball. The coach kneels a |
| on the ball" or saying, "See the ball hit the bat." | | | | safe distance behind the hitter where the catcher |
| Usually, hitters pull their head and subsequently | | | | usually is and the coach flips balls forward into the |
| their eyes off the ball because of an incorrect hip | | | | hitting zone. Hitters watch the ball being released |
| turn or having a long arm swing, failing to use | | | | from the coach's hand and swings when the ball |
| their hands and forearms. | | | | reaches the hitting zone. With this ball coming |
| Having said that, there are some good hitting drills | | | | from behind, it will force the hitter to keep their |
| that baseball coaches can have their players do | | | | head and eyes on the ball. |
| that will help ballplayers keep their eye on the ball. | | | | 4. Writing a decent size number on a few |
| Also, by controlling their head throughout the | | | | baseballs during batting practice and having hitters |
| swing, it will help all the other hitting fundamentals, | | | | try to read the numbers when hitting is also a |
| which is an added bonus of these drills. | | | | good drill. This can be extremely challenging, of |
| Head Control Drills that will help hitters keep their | | | | course, but will make the point of how well hitter's |
| eyes on the ball: | | | | need to watch the ball. |
| 1. During batting practice, place an object to the | | | | 5. It is important to realize that balance comes |
| opposite side of home plate from where the | | | | from the hitter's head. Practicing hitting on a |
| hitter stands and a few feet in front of home | | | | balance beam or similar balancing object, can |
| plate. This object (player's glove, pop can, etc...) | | | | greatly help hitters keep their eye on the ball, as |
| should be in line with hitter's eyes at contact with | | | | well as helping all swing fundamentals. |
| the ball. The object of drill is to have batters keep | | | | Finally, a habit that I use to incorporate in major |
| their eyes on this object after contact is made | | | | league baseball was to watch the ball all the way |
| and until the completion of their swing. | | | | to the catcher's glove on pitches that I did not |
| 2. Along the same lines and when performing tee, | | | | swing at. Baseball coaches should teach young |
| flips or dropped ball drills have the coach, who is | | | | hitters to do that also. It will help them keep their |
| standing off to the side, flash a number down | | | | eye on the ball when they do swing as well, which |
| with his fingers immediately after contact. The | | | | is the obvious goal. |