| One of the most repeated comments from | | | | the fundamental drill work that they did in |
| parents of my students was, "They kill the ball in | | | | preseason. Tee work and soft toss work keep |
| practice, but not in games." There are a lot of "5 | | | | players focused on contact points and mechanics |
| o'clock" (batting practice) hitters, as opposed to | | | | and should be continues throughout the season. |
| "7:30 " (game) hitters. This is one of the most | | | | They are essential for hitters to stay sharp. |
| perplexing situations of baseball for parents, | | | | 2. Coaches should have a trained hitting coach |
| players and coaches. Hitters, who absolutely | | | | observe the struggling hitters and make |
| pound the ball in batting practice and then fail to | | | | suggestions how to help their fundamentals. |
| hit during games, create much frustration and | | | | Often, just one little fundamental tip can lead to |
| even drive some to give up playing baseball. | | | | much more success. |
| There are a number of reasons why hitters hit in | | | | 3. Putting hitters in game like situations as often |
| batting practice but not in games including the lack | | | | as possible in practice is good. Hitters will begin to |
| of fear or nervousness that may exist in games. | | | | develop game confidence and the feeling like they |
| Players often tense up in a game, which throws | | | | "have been there before" when in actual games. |
| their focus off. | | | | 4. Coaches should challenge hitters in batting |
| Usually however, there are two main reasons | | | | practice with game like speeds and with changing |
| why hitters hit in practice but not in games. | | | | speeds (age appropriate, of course). Hitters often |
| 1. Their swing fundamentals are not as good as | | | | adjust on their own, without fundamental help, |
| they appear. Often, it appears to the untrained | | | | when they are challenged enough. Coaches should |
| eye that hitters have great swings but in reality | | | | not allow total frustration to appear in hitters by |
| their swings have some fundamental flaws. | | | | over-challenging them, though. |
| 2. The hitters are not being challenged enough in | | | | 5. Of course, patience and encouragement with |
| practice. Coaches have good intentions in batting | | | | struggling game hitters is always necessary. |
| practice of building their hitters' confidence by | | | | Coaching statements like "you can do it" and "I |
| laying the ball in the strike zone at hittable speeds. | | | | believe in you" are great confidence builders and |
| However, if the batting practice is not game like | | | | confidence is very important for hitters. |
| with different speeds and different pitches, it | | | | Finally, coaches should not give up on struggling |
| does not necessarily benefit hitters and they only | | | | players because "any hitter willing to listen, learn |
| gain false confidence. | | | | and practice is not beyond hope." I have known |
| What can be done to help hitters become good | | | | many hitters who became very good game |
| game hitters? | | | | hitters after years of struggle because players |
| 1. Coaches should continue to give players hitting | | | | stayed committed to practice and coaches |
| drills that address their fundamental, problem | | | | remained positive and encouraging towards them. |
| areas. Once the season starts, hitters often stop | | | | |