Baseball Hitting Fundamentals

While baseball hitting involves a great deal of concentration, it also entails timing, rhythm, patience, and anticipatory skills. Possessing a natural aptitude for placing the bat on the ball is always a plus, yet being a student of the game can also help to turn basic hitting talents into exceptional ones.

For those who prefer softball over baseball, the same principles apply when it comes to softball batting drills.

A number of batting coaches have the necessary experience to pass on their knowledge in terms of getting comfortable in the batter's box, as well as which hitting techniques work the best for individual players. Even though successful baseball hitting requires all of these skills combined, a concentrated effort may produce some surprising results.

Baseball Hitting Starts With Concentrated Practice

A trip to the batting cage is the first of a few steps towards tearing the seams off the ball. Seeing a series of fastballs at about 40 mph should help with rhythm and adjustment; some batters like to place their feet close together and step into the pitch while others use the crouching technique with their knees bent. Both of these styles often produce extra base hits and even base-rounding dingers, which of course depends upon the type of swing and follow-through used in baseball hitting.

Three common swinging techniques are used in situational hitting. When the bases are empty, a short stroke is designed to place the ball up the middle, between first and second, or by the shortstop's glove on the third base side. With a runner on second, the swing should become more fluid. Knowing the tendencies of opposing infielders and outfielders can also help drive a run home. The best place to hit the ball in this case is to right field; the runner on second will see where the ball's going and make a mad dash for the plate.

Control Your Follow Through To Proper Baseball Hitting

Another baseball hitting technique applies to power hitters when the bases are juiced. Being able to drive the ball into the gap areas or over the fence involves leaning on the back foot and thrusting forward with increased bat speed. Using leg and upper body strength is essential when attempting this type of swing; follow-through is also an important part of the process, as opposed to the short stroke.

To get a better grasp of the concept in terms of what it takes to drive the ball, it's a good idea to watch the power hitting pros in action. Even though their individual baseball hitting styles may vary, the basic concepts of using strength properly, quicker bat speed, and precision timing all at once can turn a swing and a miss into a bases-clearing two-bagger.

Employing the use of batting tips such as these is a gradual process, and it may take a while before seeing consistent results. And believe it or not, a vital part of the game also involves to a certain degree—psychological warfare. Stepping up to the plate with a killer instinct can sometimes force opposing pitchers to pause and think twice, which can cause unsteadiness that may lead to a costly mistake.

The art of baseball hitting involves much more than meets the eye, which is why it's important to learn as much as possible from experienced batting coaches who know how to mix the mental and physical aspects together to create a steady balance.

Going up to the plate and thinking home run is a noble concept that often leads to striking out. Making solid contact with the ball is an attainable goal at the onset; getting into a groove at the plate as the season progresses is usually the best way to achieve success. Most baseball hitting coaches will offer the same advice.