HIT WITH YOUR HEAD SOME MENTAL ASPECTS OF HITTING

PART IV

I. MOVE AWAY FROM THE PLATE:

Many hitters are afraid that they cannot reach pitches that are thrown on the outside part of home plate and as a consequence, they "crowd the plate" by standing "too close" to home plate. By moving away from home plate the hitter gains many advantages.

• The hitter has more time to react to the pitch by hitting the ball when it is over home plate�60 feet from the mound.
• Less critical bat angle � The majority of pitches are hit when the ball is over the plate and the bat is roughly at a right angle to the ball. This exposes the maximum hitting surface of the bat to the baseball.
• The point of contact is greater and more forgiving. The ball can be hit solidly from a larger arc. As a result, timing is less critical.
• It is more difficult for the pitcher to "jam" the hitter as the inside pitch is a ball.
• Helps hitters who have a slower bat.
• Enhances hitter's chances of hitting to all fields�using the entire field to hit on is the hallmark of all high average batters.
• Remember that regardless where the hitter stands the pitcher must throw to the plate.
• Also, the hitter must have plate coverage. He cannot stand so far away that he loses outside plate coverage.

II. WHERE TO STAND?

These are general statements rules of thumb, and will vary depending upon an individual's physical makeup.

• Forward or Deep in the Box?

  Belt Buckle Theory�An excellent starting point is to have the hitter align his belt buckle with the center of home plate�with experience he may adjust from this initial position. Professional players are deeper in the box.

• Distance from Home Plate:

  1. Ted Williams says, "Approximately 10 inches to a foot."
  2. A standard method is to have the hitter tap the outside corner of the plate with his bat. If he can do this, outside coverage is guaranteed.
  3. Have the hitter assume his stance in the batter's box and then extend his bat, at arms length, belt high out over the plate. Then drop the bat over the plate to check its coverage�or, have the coach hold the club head of the bat while the hitter walks behind home plate and checks his plate coverage.
  4. Have the hitter place his bat on the ground with the club head on the outside edge of home plate and the handle of the bat extending into the batter's box. Where the end of the bat lies is an indicator as to how far the hitter should be from home plate.

• Remember:

  The hitter must be able to protect his outside!

III. GET A GOOD PITCH TO HIT:

• Learn the strike zone!
• Don't chase bad pitches, thus enlarging the strike zone and increasing the pitcher's advantage.

IV. THE STRIKE ZONE IS THE AREA FROM THE HITTER'S ARMPITS TO THE TOP OF HIS KNEES AND IS THE WIDTH OF THE PLATE, 17 INCHES WIDE

The strike zone will vary from age group to age group and according to the individual umpires ability, but for the most part a pitch in this area is a strike.

V. HOW CAN A HITTER LEARN THE "STRIKE ZONE?"

• During batting practice swing only at strikes.
• Ask the umpire if he would have called the pitch you just swung at a strike. This will help define your strike zone...and his.
• During practice stand in the batter's box in the bullpen, while a pitcher is warming up and without swinging watch the pitches. Try to identify balls, strikes and those pitches that are "your pitch." Ask the bullpen catcher for his opinion (ball or strike) on borderline pitches.

VI. KNOW YOUR PITCH

� That is, the pitch you can hit solidly. Look only for it on your first strike and "jump on it" whenever it comes.

VII. DON'T SWING IF YOU ARE FOOLED.

Changeup or curveball�or the pitcher throws a perfect strike on your first strike, or when your are ahead in the count

VIII. YOUR PITCH OR NOTHING ON THE FIRST STRIKE!

Look for your pitch only.

IX. TWO STRIKE PHILOSOPHY:

• Concede power for contact! Gain bat control by choking up slightly on the bat and using a compact swing.

• PROTECT THE PLATE! Swing at anything close!

CONCLUSION:

There is an old baseball adage that says, "Don't think you'll hurt the team!" This may be true in certain instances but when it comes to hitting, "hitting with your head" can greatly enhance the hitter's chances for success.

As my old coach said, "Use your head�It's the little things that count!"

Good Luck!