Hitting a baseball is one of the hardest things to do in sports - and one of the most fun. Technique and mental focus are equally important when it comes to getting good contact with the ball. When you learn how, train as much as possible to become a better hitter. Here's how to get started.
Steps
Method 1 of 4: Assume the Position
Step 1. Position yourself in the batting box
If you are right handed, place yourself on the right side of the plate, vice versa if you are left handed. Face the plate and stand approximately 30 cm from it, so that the left side of your body (or the right side if you are left handed) is facing the pitcher's mound.
- Don't stand too close or too far from the plate. If the pitcher throws an inside pass, being too close to the plate will prevent you from hitting the ball easily. Being too far from the pot will also give you less chance of hitting some throws. Find the right medium.
- Do not stand too close to the front or rear edge of the box. Standing directly behind the plate puts you in the best position to hit the ball. When you have practiced a lot, you can experiment with different positions depending on the type of throw you need to hit.
Step 2. Put your feet in position
Stand with your feet approximately shoulder width apart so your body is balanced. Point your feet towards the plate so you can hit the ball with maximum force.
Step 3. Bend your knees slightly
Keep a ready position, from which you can strike with ease and force, comfortably bending the knees. If you kept your legs straight you would not be able to strike as hard. If you bend your legs too much, on the other hand, you will have a hard time hitting high throws.
Method 2 of 4: Hold the Club
Step 1. Hold the club with both hands
If you are right handed, hold the club a few inches above the base with your left hand, and hold it with your right hand immediately above (reverse grip if you are left handed). Your hands should touch lightly. Keep a firm but flexible grip; if you hold the club too tightly, you will not be able to move it properly.
- Do not hold the club too high or too low. Your hands should be a few inches above the base of the club.
- Make sure the club is the right weight for you. You should be able to comfortably hold it in the right place. If you find that you have a tendency to choke (moving your hands higher on the club) in order to spin the club, you probably need a lighter club.
Step 2. Raise the club
Keep your front elbow bent and your hands at chest level about 6 inches from your body. Raise your back elbow to bring it in a straight line with your shoulders or so that it points slightly downward.
Step 3. Set up the club at an angle
Do not rest the club on your shoulder and do not hold it completely vertical. It should be tilted at a slight angle behind the head.
Method 3 of 4: Spin the Club
Step 1. Shift your weight and take a step
As the ball approaches, start shifting your weight forward and step towards the pitcher with your front foot. You should typically start the weight shift a few seconds before hitting the ball, in order to move your body in one smooth motion. Practice makes perfect when it comes to the timing of this movement. Eventually, you will learn the exact moment to shift your weight to be able to hit the ball when it crosses the plate.
- Some baseball players lift the front knee and bring it towards the chest before taking the step; this is not strictly necessary unless you can put more power into the ball.
- As you hit the ball and complete the movement, shift your weight all the way onto your front foot. The rear foot should rotate and touch the ground with the toes only.
Step 2. Slide your hands towards the ball
As you begin to shift your weight, begin spinning the club by moving your hands towards the ball with a quick slide, almost as if your intent was to hit the ball with the bottom tip of the club. Straighten your arms and position the club to hit the ball as it crosses the plate.
- When the club hits the ball, the palm of your dominant hand should be facing up, and that of your non-dominant hand towards the ground.
- Keep your elbows close to your body as you swing the club for maximum power.
Step 3. Don't forget to finish the movement well
Let the inertia of the club overtake the ball and make it almost complete a full circle around your body. When you come into contact, give your wrist a whip and turn the club aiming its end towards the pitcher and finish the movement with the club on the shoulder. As you turn the club your body should rotate towards the pitcher, and when you finish the move you should be facing the court, with your feet still in place.
Method 4 of 4: See the Ball and Hit it
Step 1. Keep your eyes on the ball
Your eyes should stay on the ball from the moment you release the pitcher's hand until the moment you hit it with the club. It is in this moment that mental concentration is essential; if you lose sight of the ball, even for a moment, it will be very difficult to hit it. It is also important to be able to understand if the launch is suitable for being hit. If it looks like the ball is coming directly over the plate and into your strike zone - the area between your knees and chest - this is a ball to hit. If the ball isn't inside your strike zone, you won't be able to hit it hard.
Step 2. Try to hit the ball with the right point of the club
The club should hit the ball a few inches before the tip. You will need to hit it with the center of the club so it doesn't get deflected by the edges. Turn the club parallel to the ground to be more likely to hit the ball correctly.
- Don't hit the ball from the bottom up. Your arms and club should extend more or less straight out of your body (at the right angle to hit the throw) to make the most of your stronger shoulder muscles. This will give you more thrust and speed.
- Don't slash the ball forward. The ideal is to hit the ball in such a way that it rotates backwards, because this way it will fly much farther. Keep the thumb of your non-dominant hand along the club if you are a beginner and cannot keep the club straight.
Step 3. Drop the club and run
When you hit the ball, you simply have to drop the club to the ground. Don't throw it. You could affect the final part of the movement and cause injury to another player. Now run with all your might towards first base.
Advice
- Relax and stay calm, or the tension will cause you to hit the ball too soon.
- When you spot a curve, in some cases it will feel like the launch might hit you. Do not retract, hold the position and rotate towards the ball while staying low, so as to be able to hit it with more precision and power.
- Don't be afraid of fast pitchers - the faster the ball is, the farther you can fly it.
- Watch the club hit the ball. Watching the ball as it is hit by the club will improve the likelihood of a great impact.
- Some baseball players ruin their careers by always trying to hit home runs. Hit the ball trying to get a line and get to base. A fly ball on an outside is almost always a guaranteed elimination.
- On inside throws, you should hit the ball in front of the body, while on outside throws you should let the ball enter the strike zone and hit it behind the body or at body level. You should hit a center throw exactly at body level with your arms straight.
- Before entering the batter's box, you will need to warm up. Enter the on-deck circle and spin the club as if you were really going to hit the ball. There is nothing worse in baseball than facing a pitcher with cold muscles. Your club rounds will not be effective and you will almost certainly be eliminated.
- If you find that the ball will hit you in the center of your body, don't raise your arms and don't let it hit you in the ribs, but lower your arm to protect your body.
- If you have a reputation for being a hitter who shoots the ball into the wingers, it can be effective in some cases to try a bunt. This will confuse the other team and may be able to get to base without resorting to a sacrificial sprint.
- It is physically impossible to observe the ball all its way, so follow it as long as you can and try to hit it.
Warnings
- Always wear protective gear and especially a helmet, you never know when the pitcher will miss a pitch.
- If your upper hand (right hand if you are right handed) will not be pointing up when you hit the ball, you will get a ground ball or bouncy.
