How to Bat In Baseball

Take a boy to the ball field and guess what he willbatter) is closer to the plate.
pick up for the first time... a glove or a bat? Right.In the parallel stance both feet are the same
Just about everybody who plays baseball, or whodistance from the inside batter's box line closest
ever thought of playing baseball, loves to bat.to the plate.
Some players have the gift of being "born"Spread - The spread of the feet is also a matter
hitters; that is, they are blessed with excellentof individual taste. Some batters prefer to keep
eyesight, quick reflexes, strong wrists and huskytheir feet close together thus making for a longer
shoulders. These players usually become thestride when swinging at the pitch. Others will take
better batters, but that does not mean thea medium spread, thus shortening the stride; and
average player with normal build and strengththere are some batters who will take a wide
cannot become a moderately successful batter.spread and therefore cut down their stride to a
Selecting a Bat - Take a bat and swing it. If itminimum.
feels "good" and is not too heavy or not too light,The average hitter normally spreads his feet
try it out. Do not use a bat that is too long, stayabout seventeen to nineteen inches and many
away from a bat that is too short. To help youcoaches recommend this spread distance. The
select the right type of bat, remember that thepower hitter, however, will use a shorter spread
average school player uses one that is aboutsince he gets most of his strength from a longer
thirty-four inches long. Also, the weight of the batstride. Joe DiMaggio had just about the widest of
is equal to one ounce for each inch. Thus a 34-34all spreads and his stride was one of the shortest.
bat, in length and weight, is just about average.But the average batter should not attempt to
Stance - Many batters approach the plate and doimitate great batters in spread and stride unless
not know how close, or how far, to stand fromhe feels comfortable doing it.
the plate. Some batters wonder whether theyIt is not good for the beginning player to take too
should stand in front of the batter's box, othersclose a spread because it may cause a lunge in
cannot decide whether it is best to place theirthe stride. The stride should be smooth and quick,
feet to the rear of the batter's box. None of thistherefore the proper spread is most important.
is important in the learning stage of batting, butGrip - Just as in choosing a bat, taking a stance
what is important is that the batter makesand assuming a spread, comfort dictates, for the
himself comfortable at the plate.most part, just how to grip the bat. Some
When a batter takes his stance, he is taking onebatters keep their hands together; others may
of three stances: the parallel stance, the closedleave a bit of space between the hands when
stance, the open stance. Each stance has itsgripping the bat. No matter what type of grip,
advantages, but the batter who feels mosthands together or apart, the bat is not to be
comfortable in any of the three should use thatgripped too tightly.
particular stance.By keeping the fingers securely, but not tightly,
Again, just which stance to assume is strictly aaround the bat and the fingers aligned on the bat,
matter of choice and comfort. However, thethe batter can get a better snap of the wrists
more advanced player may, on occasion, switchwhen meeting the ball. Grip a bat too tightly and
stances according to the type of pitcher he isthe arm muscles automatically tighten up thus
facing, or the situation in the game.permitting no wrist action.
In the closed stance only the front foot (the leftGrasp these basics of baseball batting, and you will
if a right-handed batter, the right if a left-handedbe off to a great start.