Hitting with Andy By: Andy Hudson

[Admin]

Hitting the baseball comes easier to some than others. Every athlete is different when they step up to the plate. Some players have the ability to naturally step in the box and just grip it and rip it, while others must be trained from the ground up. Whichever player you may be, there are some basic but very important guidelines that must be followed.


The first thing that every player must address is a comfortable balanced stance. When approaching the plate, you must first find a comfort zone with your stance. A good place to start is the feet. You need to have your feet an even distance from the plate and a little bit wider than shoulder length apart. You want your weight balanced in the middle of your stance and on the balls of your feet. You must be in an athletic position because hitting the baseball is one of the most athletic and explosive movements in sports today.

The next piece of the swing to look at is the position of your hands and upper body. The hands should be relaxed on the bat holding the bat loosely in the fingers with the knuckles lined up. A tight grip in the palms of the hand is a killer to your bat speed. One of my favorite phrases when it comes to hitting is, “a loose swing is a fast swing.” Bat speed is the most important factor for being a power hitter. Let’s face it, who wouldn’t want to have more power in their swing?


Once you find a comfortable stance, the next step is where the real training comes into play. The swing is something that is learned. Every movement in your body causes a reaction by other parts of the body. That’s why having a hitting coach or professional instructor is so important. I like to compare the swing to a math formula: if you put the right numbers in the right place, you come up with the correct answer. That’s why professional baseball players spend hours, months, and even years practicing and perfecting the swing. If you train the body correctly and create the proper muscle memory, you end up with the reaction that you want when it’s game time.


This starts with a trigger or load. It is very important to come up with some kind of rhythm to get yourself ready to hit. I like to stride and load the hands all in one step. The best time to do this is when the pitcher separates his hands in his delivery. Every hitter has their own style when it comes to this step, but it is crucial that two things happen in this step. First, the hands must be completely ready to swing the bat before the pitcher releases the baseball. This way there is nothing to focus on except the baseball. If the hands aren’t set, then you are trying to get your hands ready and react to the pitch all at the same time. You must also make sure that the front foot is planted on the ground before the release of the pitch. A good firm stance is very important. If the foot is in the air, then the body will move forward taking your entire body out of the hitting position.


The rest of the swing is a little too much to try to explain on paper. Getting yourself ready for the pitch is just half the battle. Once you get in position, there are still many technical things that have to happen. Waiting on the ball and learning to throw your hands and hips correctly are very important, but that is something that takes thousands and thousands of repetitions. The swing is something that is perfected in the batting cage and off of the tee. Like I said, if you are willing to put in the hours of training and preparation, then you can become a great hitter. Learning the proper technique and putting in the time and effort will allow you to gain the confidence, mechanics, and success that you are looking for as a hitter. There is no substitute for one on one instruction with someone who has been in your shoes and put in thousands of hours learning the proper technique and hitting philosophy. I have studied the game of baseball with some of the best coaches in the game and played with many professional athletes. One of my best attributes as an instructor is that I have made these adjustments, and I can relate very closely with hitters. It would be very helpful for a player at any level to take advantage of the knowledge of others who share the same passion. When you stop learning and studying the game is when you quit getting better. Remember, there is always someone out there who is working harder and wants it more than you.


If you want to take your game to the next level, there is no better place to do it. There is no substitute for being prepared. Keep your weight back, trust your hands, and hit the ball deep in the zone. If there is anything else you would like to hear, come in and see what I am all about. Thanks for taking the time to read this article. This can be your first step to reaching you full potential.