Knowing some basic keys of hitting a baseball in games can help coaches turn games around for the better.
At the highest level of baseball, numerous hitting, pitching, and defensive charts exist that help coaches analyze tendencies about everything, even before games start. At the lower levels of baseball, the so-called "book" on hitters and pitchers are less known, so in game observationsare more important.
The good news is that coaches, who stay observant of their teams' game hitting tendencies, can help change the course of games, especially against dominant pitchers. Of course, they must know what the hitting tendencies mean and what adjustments are necessary. Generally, after one time through the order, tendencies develop and observant coaches should be able to have a clue as to what adjustments may be necessary.
Hitting a Baseball Adjustments
Of course, one time through the order is not always a great sample for hitting a baseball, but it often gives coaches enough information. When the same tendency occurs, at least five or six times, adjustment suggestions are good.
Negative Tendency Hitting Adjustment
Many ground balls Focus on hitting balls through middle and opposite fieldto negate sinker ball pitchers' effectiveness
Many Fly Balls Focus on staying on top of ball to point of trying to hit ground balls, leading to squaring ball up better
Many strike outs Choke up on bats and cut down on swings for contact just putting balls in play leads to confidence and runs
Late on pitches Set up as deep in box as allowed and choke up on bats
Early on pitches Move up in batter's box and attempt to go other way more
A big key to hitting success is recognizing pitchers' control of off speed pitches, as many hitters get themselves out by swinging at off-speed pitches that are not strikes.
I am not a believer in having young hitters take pitches to work the count, but having a game hitting plan for being more or less aggressive, depending on the pitchers control, may be necessary at the travel level of baseball and above.
Observant coaches also notice pitching changes, as rarely do pitchers have the same speeds and pitches, as the pitcher they replaced.
Finally, as hitters gain experience, they should learn to make these hitting adjustments themselves and those that do, usually have the most hitting a baseball success.
After playing major league baseball, Jack Perconte has taught baseball and softball since 1988 and offered valuable coaching training too. He has helped numerous youth players reach their potential, as well as having helped parents and coaches navigate their way through the challenging world of youth sports. Jack is one of the leading authorities in the areas of youth baseball training and coaching training advice.
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