Hips lead the hands, match the plane of the swing with the plane of the pitch, and stay inside the ball (we will discuss in another blog post) are the three things that Ted Williams regarded as the universal technique used by 95% of baseballs Hall of Famers. In order to be able to utilize these three things properly within your swing you will need to have a proper plan in place. I would say one of the most overlooked pieces to the hitting puzzle is an approach. Most young hitters do not have an approach and most coaches do not train their hitters to have one.
Why is this? I can certainly speak from experience that most of the time I spent with my hitters in the past was dedicated to movement and mechanics, when in some cases the hitter may have needed an understanding of how to implement a good plan. Having a plan enables hitters to execute sound technique and therefore allow for good timing.
A simple plan to execute is to cover one side of the plate until you have two strikes. The idea is to simplify and not confuse our hitters. A hitter can only cover one side of the plate effectively on a given pitch. When hitters try and do too much they run into problems. A less is more approach is simple and easy to execute. Trying to use the whole field on every pitch is an extremely difficult task. By using the whole field hitters must hit the inside pitch out in front of the plate, and at the same time hit the outside pitch which they have to let get deep. The difference can be as much as five feet from one contact point to another. Therefore the timing for both of these pitches presents a challenge. This should be your approach only when having two strikes.
Until a hitter has two strikes on them, they should be in control of their at bat. They should look for their pitch and/ or location by anticipating properly. Anticipating pitches means making a decision based on information gathered from watching the pitcher pitch to other hitters and/ or previous at bats the pitcher has pitched you. Did the pitcher pitch you in or out? Up or down? Fastballs or offspeed? Does the pitcher pitch against the count? Once a hitter gathers this information they are on their way to a successful at bat with a proper plan.
We must think long the lines with the pitcher. The ability to store good information helps take away the suprise element from the pitcher and improves timing. We can now increase our dead red zone and shrink the size of the plate that needs to be covered.
Using the whole field is a very important piece of the puzzle. Hitters should be able to use the whole field, but only by anticipating pitches properly with less than two strikes. Look for the pitch in the anticipated area and if you get it put a good swing on it. This basic approach can dramatically improve production.
Formulating plan when going to the plate is extremely important. Hitters without a plan have issues with movement, mechanics, and timing. Most big leaguers want to know location, whether inside or outside, and not what pitch type. This is because hitters have more time away than they do for a pitch inside. Make no mistake a hitter can hit a ball in any location if they get their pitch in their location. Timing is certainly more important than location.
We need to know what the pitcher can get over for strikes and where they want to pitch us. Once we understand this we can formulate a proper plan. Remember, until a pitcher has two strikes on us we are in control. When we have two strikes on us we are forced to cover both sides of the plate. Hitting with two strikes is the most difficult situation for a hitter to be successful because we are now trying to get ready for every pitch in the pitchers arsenal.
Timing goes hand in hand with posture. Hitters without a plan can put themselves in bad positions and have a difficult time putting a good swing on the ball. If we can anticipate correctly we can adjust our body to cover the part of the plate where we are expecting the pitch to arrive.
Most pitches are thrown to the outside corner because a pitcher is less likely to get hurt with the long ball. If a pitcher is consistently throwing to the outside corner a hitter can slow down their movements. If the pitcher typically throws the pitch up a hitter will have to get their hands on top of the ball more up until two strikes. Anticipation works and gives the hitter the edge they need against a pitcher.
Good movement and mechanics should be the first thing a hitter masters before learning how to anticipate. If a hitter can anticipate correctly but does not have sound movement and mechanics they won't be able to out a good swing on the ball. Proper movement and mechanics allow for a hitter to hit in all four corners of the strike zone.
All in all good movement and mechanics plus a good hitting plan allow hitters to hit in certain contact locations. If the hitter is anticipating the ball away they should be slowing down their movments, and in the case of a ball inside the hitter should quicken up. If the pitcher is throwing up the hitter should be thinking about getting their hands above the ball, flattening out that lead elbow, and staying taller. If the hitter is anticipating the ball down they must work the lead elbow up and sit more on the back leg. The key is having a plan. Without it we are the pitchers best friend.
For example:
A pitcher can't work inside, so most of their pitches are away. Up until two strikes the hitter should be anticipating the ball away. If the pitch is away and the hitter is anticipating the pitch it in that location they should be able to hit the ball hard.
When facing a pitcher who throws a curveball, most hitters aren't fooled by a curveball's spin or trajectory, but the change of speeds. If a hitter is anticipating a curveball, they will stay in good balance and posture longer instead of lunging forward. Pitchers continually change speeds and locations to keep hitters off-balance.
Facing a tough pitcher is identified in the following ways:
A pitcher who is able to throw consistent strikes to all four corners of the strike zone
A pitcher who is unpredictable and capable of pitching backwards or against the count
A pitcher who is on that day and making his pitches
A pitcher who tends to give you trouble
A pitchers job is to keep you off-balance. Pitchers can look to intimidate you to make you feel uncomfortable at the plate.
COUNTERACT WHAT THE PITCHER IS TRYING TO DO TO YOU
Attacking you inside with a fastball to find out if you can handle it:
Anticipate the fastball in
Make sure you clear your hips to ensure you can have a clean path to the ball
Showing you off-speed stuff early in the game:
If pitcher can get his off-speed pitch over, and you are a good fastball hitter, then anticipate the off-speed and play to your strengths strengths up to 2 strikes. Be selective, make it be a strike in your red zone
If you are facing a pitcher who can get his off-speed pitch over and your a fastball hitter, concede location on the fastball up to two strikes and look for it only. Don't be selective. If it's anywhere in your strike zone, take a swing at it; you don't want the pitcher to get to two strikes on you
Can the pitcher throw his off-speed pitch for a strike? They may want to show you their off-speed stuff early, but it does them no good if they can't throw it for strikes
Is the pitcher trying to "eye wash" you with a fastball (knock you off the plate or speed up your bat) to set up his curve ball? If he is, disregard it, and look for the curve
Doubling up on curve balls (two in a row):
Pitchers that can control their breaking pitches will tend to use them twice on 0-2, 1-2 or 2-2 counts. Look for this distinct pattern
Changing up on any count:
There's a good reason why "against-the-count" pitchers who pitch backwards are big winners
If you're facing this type of pitcher look for pitches other than what you would normally look for in certain count situations. Look fast or slow depending on his pattern
Not letting you sit on fastballs with runners in scoring position:
Good pitchers will not give in here, but if they fall behind in the count and have no alternative, look for the fastball
Changing your eye level:
As your competition gets better you'll face pitchers who not only work in and out, but north-south (up and down), changing your eye level. Look for a pattern, usually fastball up and curveball down, or curveball down and fastball up
Changing your eye focus:
Skilled pitcher will also use the east-west tactic (in and out). Look for patterns here, as they almost always have one: usually fastball in and breaking pitch away, or a breaking ball away and fastball in. At times, they may form a pattern we call in "Texas Two-Step" in-in-out or out-out-in
Throwing you two-seam fastballs in predictable hitter's count:
In fastball counts
On the first pitch
When the count is 1-0, 2-0, 2-2, or 3-2
Moving your feet and head:
Nothing makes you feel more uncomfortable than a high and tight pitch, which is usually done with the purpose of speeding up your bat and/ or setting you up for something off-speed away
HITTING IN CERTAIN COUNTS
Fastball Counts:
3-0, 3-1, 2-0, 2-1, 1-0, 0-0
Pitchers need to throw a strike
Expect a predictable pitch
Don't be late
3-2
If the pitcher's struggling with off-speed pitches
If you're not perceived is a hitting threat
If the next hitter is perceived as a hitting threat
the game's a blow out
Even Counts:
0-0, 1-1, 2-2
These counts are critical
Pitchers need to get ahead (if 0-0)
Pitchers need to get you out (if 2-2)
Expect two-seam fastballs down and away or changeups
Pitchers must be able to locate two pitches for strikes in the crucial counts
3-2
Consider this an even count because the pitcher knows he must throw a strike. He can throw anything, but if you've studied the pitcher well, you will know which way he is leaning
Set your pre-swing movements and timing mechanics for the mid-velocity pitch in two strike counts
Off-Speed Counts:
0-2, 1-2, 2-2, 3-2
These are chase counts
You're on the defensive and you must open up your strike zone
You can't be choosy or anticipate pitches
Don't try to do too much, just put the ball in play
1-1, 2-2, 3-2
Pitchers must be able to locate two pitches for strikes in the crucial counts
Pitchers have the advantage and will try to make you chase off-speed and breaking balls. Look for them when he needs a strikeout
Set your pre-swing movements and timing mechanics for the mid-velocity pitch in two strike counts
3-2
Can also be a chase count, especially with a runner on second base and first base open
Set your pre-swing movements and timing mechanics for the mid-velocity pitch in two strike counts
I can't tell you how many times I hear of youth and High School coaches telling their pitchers to pitch ground balls and in the next breath telling their hitters to hit ground balls. It makes absolutely no sense at all to accommodate what the pitcher is trying to get you to do. We need to counteract what the pitcher is trying to do. I hope this blog entry helps you formulate a proper plan. Please feel free to reach out with any questions you may have.
Thanks!!
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