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Tuesday, April 1, 2008
How To Use Your Head at the Plate.
Western Arkansas, AR
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By: John Luedtke
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Photo(s) By: Tom Ewart
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The Mental Aspects of Hitting, Part II.
Hitting is one of the most over coached and undertrained skills in sports. It seems that almost every hitting coach has his preferred method of hitting; some insist that theirs is the only way to hit. While there are certain fundamental skills that every hitter has to develop, each hitter is unique. Coaches (and parents) need to understand that there is no one size fits all approach to hitting. The grip, stance/set up, swing, and even the mental approach to hitting have to be tailored to the individual hitter’s physical and mental make-up. In addition, no one is a “born hitter.” To be proficient takes thousands of swings, plus finding that signature swing that fits your body type.
HITTING THE BALL UP THE MIDDLE
If I had to pick one swing thought to make you a better hitter, it would be to stress the importance of trying to hit the ball up more consistently up the middle. The biggest “hitter’s hole” in the playing field goes right past the pitcher’s mound and through second base into centerfield. Line drives and ground balls driven up the middle usually guarantee the hitter will end up at least on first base.
Hitting mechanics are very important, but if young hitters would concentrate more on “going with the pitch” to hit the ball up the middle their batting averages and hitting fundamentals (particularly keeping the front hip and shoulder from flying open) would improve significantly.
However, there are certain pitches that just can’t be easily hit up the middle – notably those pitches on the corners. With an outside pitch, the hitter has to take the pitch farther back across the plate and then hit the ball to the opposite field. With an inside pitch, the hitter’s hands have to be more quickly brought to the ball, hitting the ball out in front of the plate, thereby pulling the ball. Like almost everything else in baseball, these skills are developed only with plenty of repetitions.
GETTING INTO THE UMPIRES HIP POCKET – PLATE PSYCHOLOGY 101
This is an invaluable aid to every hitter, pitcher and coach. The dynamics of the umpire-player or umpire-coach relationship can favorably or adversely affect calls – even the outcome of a game. Umpires are human beings who occasionally make mistakes, just like the rest of us. Still, they deserve and expect to be treated with respect and class. Rule one: control your emotions, and understand that you cannot control the umpire’s decisions by inappropriate comments or unacceptable body language and other demonstrations. Try changing your approach and attitude toward the umpires. Be respectful and humble toward the men in blue. You’ll enjoy the game more, lower your stress level, and – perhaps – get a few more calls to go your way.
RECOGNIZING AND REACTING TO THE SPIN OF THE BALL
Every good hitter sets himself up especially to hit a fast ball, but also has to be able to adjust for the spin of a breaking pitch. With good vision tied to experience, a hitter should be able to recognize a fastball, as well as a curve ball’s and a slider’s rotation from twenty to twenty-five feet in front of the plate. Spin recognition is an acquired skill and can be improved with a high number of quality at bats, especially in competitive intra-squad as well as in real game situations.
OWNING THE PLATE
The fear of getting hit by a baseball is one of the key factors in a hitter’s success or lack thereof. At every level, from little league to the pros, the good hitter has the attitude that the pitcher has to hit me to move me off of the plate. Very few .200 average hitters get hit by pitchers, but batters with higher averages do. Why? Because the better hitter digs in at the plate, stays there longer, and is willing to be hit by a pitch rather than give the pitcher the advantage. Generally, that intimidates the pitcher and gets you better pitches to hit.
SITUATIONAL HITTING
Finally, a major part of offensive run production is the hitter’s ability to drive in runs when runners are in scoring position. Good hitters are always aware of the count in situations like this, especially when hitting with two strikes. Four keys to good hitting with a two strike count are: choke up slightly on the bat (for better bat control), widen your stance (for better balance and to keep your weight back), close up your front side (to better hit a probable breaking pitch) and get tighter to the plate (for better plate coverage).
Coach John Luedtke is the direct of the Health, Physical Education, and Intramural Sports Programs and NorthWest Arkansas Community College. An experienced “baseball man,” having coached at the University of Arkansas, Mississippi State, and Lamar University, as well as having been a scouting supervisor for the Cincinnati Reds baseball team. For more information about private or small group/team hitting and pitching lessons, you can contact John at www.jflpitch.netfirms.net or jflpitch@hotmail.com.
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| krhern - 7:59 am CDT on Thu, Apr 3 | report profanity/abuse |
|  | This is an excellent article on hitting. More younger players need to read this and implement the techniques. |
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