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Baseball Quick Tip
#1 - The 3 Keys to Hitting
The 3 Keys to Hitting the ball well in baseball are:
Balance
Timing
Swinging Technique
Balance means having your body weight distributed properly
so that it is centered. Timing means knowing when to start
your swing, and Technique means using the right mechanics to
connect with the pitch. When all three work together
properly, you're sure to get a hit.
Balance
The first step to achieving central balance is to relax.
Start at the top with your head and neck, down to the
shoulders, arms, torso, legs and feet.
Next, place your feet shoulder width apart. Too close or too
far will cause muscles in your legs and torso to be too
tense. Flex your knees a bit to take out the tension.
Now, turn your left foot slightly to the right, and your
right foot slightly to the left. This will allow you to stay
centered as your body weight shifts through the swing.
Remember to keep your hips centered over your feet. You are
now balanced. Remember to stay relaxed and keep your lower
half centered as you raise the bat and turn your head toward
the pitcher.
Timing
Knowing when to swing is perhaps the most important part of
hitting. When a batter swings and misses, 9 times out of 10
it's because the swing was not properly timed with the speed
of the incoming pitch. Pitches will range in speed from
about 65 mph to 100 mph. The key to connecting with the ball
is timing practice – get to that batting cage and get
to know what a 65 mph and 100 mph pitches look like coming
in! And by all means, do what your parents have told you
from the time you could walk – keep your eye on the ball.
Switching your field of vision from the pitch to something
else – even for a fraction of a second – is a sure way to
achieve a swing-and-a-miss.
Timing Tips
Practice! Hit the batting cage frequently and develop a feel
for what pitches look like coming in at different speeds.
Pay attention! During a game, watch the opposing pitcher.
Does he like throwing fast balls, curve balls…does he tend
to pitch inside, high, low? Have an idea before you face him
for the first time.
Swinging
Technique
Now that you
are balanced and have an idea of what might be coming your
way with the pitch, you are ready to put good technique into
action. As the pitcher commits to the pitch (he comes across
the rubber and moves toward the plate) watch the ball as it
comes toward you and follow these steps as you swing:
Turn the
shoulder that is facing the pitcher in slightly.
Shift your
body weight from the side farthest from the pitcher to
directly toward the pitcher – you can even pick up the foot
closest to the pitcher as you shift, then stride toward him
softly. Keep your hands back during the shift – you have not
started to swing yet.
Keep your
back foot firmly planted, pressing down firmly. Remember not
shift any weight over your ankle or you will throw off your
balance.
Relax and follow through
fluidly with your swing. Remember not to tense your neck and
shoulders as you swing.
Swinging Tips:
Relax,
relax, relax! Keeping your top hand loose on the bat will
help you stay relaxed. You will automatically tighten up
when you swing.
There it is – Baseball Quick
Tip #1! Next, our Baseball Quick Tip will focus on a
few good batting drills that will help you sharpen your
Batting Balance, Timing and Technique!
For
information on having a kids baseball camp held in your area,
call 301-639-0031, or
717-451-8513, or
click here
to send us an e-mail.
You can also
see our listing on
www.heavyhitter.com. |
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