| The eyes of the batter are his greatest asset. | | | | can increase the effectiveness and sharpness of |
| The batter must "see and think" with the eyes. A | | | | eyesight during the batting process. |
| batter can know the count, know the situation, | | | | Batters should use two types of eye focus when |
| know the pitcher, and know how to swing, but if | | | | batting. Batters should start with a "soft eye |
| their eyes are weak or fail them, they will more | | | | focus" to ease tension on the eyes, and then go |
| than like suffer defeat at the plate. How many | | | | to a hard eye focus when the pitcher starts the |
| times have we heard a successful batter say that | | | | pitching motion. The batter begins the soft focus |
| "I am really seeing the ball right now" or an | | | | by looking at an area around the pitchers head |
| unsuccessful batter say "I am not picking the ball | | | | and shoulders. The batters may soft focus on the |
| up. I am not seeing the ball". There are many | | | | pitchers cap. As the pitcher begins the pitching |
| factors that affect the ability of the batter ability | | | | motion, the batter when then converts to a hard |
| to see the baseball. | | | | eye focus on the pitching arm shoulder area and |
| Factors and conditions such as the pitchers | | | | the pitchers release point. During this crucial |
| motion, the amount of sunlight or field lighting, the | | | | segment of the swing, the batter uses an |
| angle of the sunlight as to the time of day and | | | | extreme hard eye focus technique to pick up the |
| the background in center field all can hamper or | | | | ball. Using the soft to hard focus technique, |
| affect the ability of the batter to see the baseball. | | | | batters tend to not lose concentration, suffer eye |
| These factors we have little ability to change. | | | | strain, and get too up-tight. |
| However, we can minimize their affects by | | | | Coaching point: good teams and players read and |
| improving the ability of the batter to focus or see | | | | identify certain tendencies by pitchers. The |
| the baseball. | | | | opposing pitcher should be observed and studied |
| How should a batter use the eyes during the | | | | to determine his "arm slot" and "ball release point". |
| batting process? Does a batter simply step in the | | | | Players should be doing this "observation" from |
| batters box, tap the plate with the bat, and start | | | | the dugout and in the on-deck circle. Knowing the |
| looking for the ball? Or is there a recommended | | | | delivery motion, timing, and release point of the |
| process or procedure of using the eyes during | | | | opposing pitcher allows batters to "pick up" or see |
| the batting process? What should the batter | | | | the ball much quicker out of the hand of the |
| focus the eyes on prior to the pitch? If you ask | | | | pitcher. The ability to see the ball earlier increases |
| 10 batters, most likely, you will receive 5 different | | | | the chances for a successful at-bat. |
| answers. Batters can be taught a technique that | | | | |