| Major league hitters have very advanced swing | | | | Players should be sure to finish their swing to the |
| fundamentals, which explain how they made it to | | | | middle of their back before they reverse the bat |
| the major leagues. However, it is important to | | | | as fast as they can. This drill can also be done |
| note that fundamentals are fundamentals. The | | | | with a partner who flips five balls in a row to the |
| drills that are designed for little league players are | | | | hitter, releasing each ball when hitter returns to |
| the same drills that major league players perform. | | | | hitting position. This drill will also help overall |
| There are numerous baseball hitting drills with the | | | | balance, which is another key ingredient to a good |
| best drills being the ones that address the | | | | baseball swing. (See following drill) |
| particular hitter's needs. Every hitter, from the | | | | 4. Balance beam drill - players stand on a balance |
| major league player to the little league player, has | | | | beam and take swings at game speed, with the |
| a weak part of their swing. When this weakness | | | | goal of completing the swing while staying on the |
| is known, hitting drills can be geared towards | | | | beam. An example of this drill and of making a |
| addressing those areas. Working on correct | | | | usable balance beam can be found in my book, |
| fundamentals is a continual process for major | | | | "The Making of a Hitter." |
| league players as it is for youth ballplayers. | | | | As the season begins, major league baseball |
| When I played major league baseball, the off | | | | players tend to work on timing and vision drills. |
| season was the time where I was more | | | | This is mostly done with correct batting practice |
| concerned with getting in great shape by gaining | | | | habits with flip drills from the coach or regular |
| quickness and strength. I was not as concerned | | | | pitched balls from a batting practice coach. Good |
| with timing the ball as much as in season. With this | | | | hitters will always try to hit the ball where it is |
| in mind, preseason was spent performing drills on | | | | pitched in the strike zone and try to watch the |
| the batting tee and with soft toss drills. The | | | | ball hit the bat at contact. They will not swing at |
| important body parts that major league baseball | | | | pitches outside the strike zone. Following are a |
| players want to get in shape are their hands and | | | | few more major league hitting drills that also help |
| core muscles, including the stomach and hips. With | | | | hitters: |
| this in mind here are a few major league hitting | | | | 5. Back knee pickup drill - hitters swing and pick |
| drills that ballplayers practice to get their hands | | | | up their back knee, allowing it to rotate towards |
| and hips in shape. | | | | the pitcher with the swing. This drill develops |
| 1. One arm drill - hitters will take swings using only | | | | hitters' front side and weight transfer as they will |
| one arm with a lighter bat or by choking up on | | | | have to keep their front shoulder going towards |
| their regular bat. This drill will force them to use | | | | the ball as their weight transfers. Both of these |
| the muscles in their fingers, hands, wrists and | | | | are necessary for good contact and power. |
| forearms so that they develop the strength and | | | | 6. No stride drill - hitters take their regular swing |
| quickness necessary to hit major league pitching. | | | | without the initial stride. Many hitters get in trouble |
| It will also help them develop the correct swing | | | | when they jump at the ball. This major league |
| fundamentals of each hand separately. It is | | | | hitting drill will allow them to stay back and rotate |
| recommended that players take more swings in | | | | instead of lunging at the ball. Doing this drill after |
| this manner with their weaker arm. | | | | the previous drill is a good idea. |
| 2. Another popular major league hitting drill is the | | | | It is important to note that using a batting tee for |
| self-flip drill. With this drill, players will begin by | | | | taking productive swings is a must for all serious |
| holding the bat with their lead arm only and flip a | | | | ballplayers. The batting tee is an important device |
| ball up in the air with their rear hand. The ball | | | | for major league hitting drills as well as for young |
| should be flipped no higher than eye level and in | | | | baseball players. Coaches and hitters should |
| the hitting zone, at which time the hitter grabs | | | | consult instructional manuals or a good hitting |
| the bat with both hands and hits the ball. This drill | | | | coach so they know how to use a batting tee for |
| develops quick, strong hands and requires a good | | | | the best results. All hitting drills can be done on a |
| fundamental swing to hit line drives. | | | | batting tee and will help groove a perfect baseball |
| 3. Fast hips can be developed with the quick | | | | swing. Hitting balls solidly and on the line is always |
| swing drill. Players will swing five times in a row | | | | the hitter's goal, whether hitting in a game or with |
| forward and backward as fast as they can. | | | | hitting drills. |