I'm having trouble with my hitting (in baseball) does anybody have any tips or suggestions?

Question

I'm 14 and in my league it doesn't matter what weight of bat you use,but I'm trying to converge into useing a heavier bat,becasue next year I'll have to use a bat that is drop 3.(a difference of 3 between the height and weight of the bat). I seem to swing very early with a light bat,and late with a heavy bat.Any suggestions to help with my hand/eye coordination?

im currently using a 31/28 nike show bat,and its not too heavy in fact it feels like the right size for me,because im alot taller and just a bit heavier (but not fat) than other guys my age and even older than I.

Answer 1

Several Drills can help:

1. Have some one kneel beside you and toss either marshmallows or practice golf balls to hit, after doing this a baseball will look like a beach ball.

2. Get a plunger and stick it into a batting tee, then use that to set up a basketball to hit. This will teach you to power through the ball and follow through, not only will it increase your hitting power but will help you adjust to the weight of a heavier bat.

3. Have a bucket with different colour balls in it and have a pitcher pitch them to you and say a colour as he/she's throwing it, if the colour they say doesn't match the colour of the ball you don't swing, this will improve your reaction time and eye hand co-ordination.

When you're at the plate, focus on the logo on the pitchers hat and then focus on centrefield and then on the logo again before he pitches, this will prepare your eyes to adjust to the ball.

Finally I would suggest you get an instructional video to help make sure your mechanics are good, a very good but simple one is called how to hit and run, I got it free when I bought a hit-away swing trainer which only cost about $20.

Hope this helps, good luck.

Answer 2

I'd first suggest a 34/31 or a 33/30. I don't know what you use now?
In baseball you want to produce line drives! You need to concemtrate on a fdew things in taking your stance and swinging

1. Hands high. Try thumb on top hand being at or slightly above eye level

2. Back elbow up at shoulder height

3. Front shoulder lower than back shoulder (2 inches)

4. Drive the front shoulder into the ball when swinging and keep the barrell of the bat slightly above the hands during the swing

These tips will produce line drives. Hand eye coordination is somewhat god given however it can be improved. Try soft toss with some old balls hitting against a fence. Soft toss consists of someone kneeling beside you and softly tossing a ball in the air and you timing your swing while concentrating on keeping the eye on the ball.

Answer 3

Ok, so I am a girl and I play softball in Alabama. How far do you swing your bat? Do you half swing or swing all the way around? Try swinging half way, and if it feels comfortable, then it is perfect. Just keep at it and, at your house, practice with a heavier bat every time. Just work your way up to working with a heavier bat. Also, working out more will help you. If you live in the north, then I don't know when you can practice,but if you live in the south, today is a beautiful day.

Answer 4

First, I wouldn't concentrate on the weight of the bat. Tony Gwynn only used a 31 ounce bat most of his career.

Go to the batting cage and see if they offer instructional assistance. If it is too pricey, then try to get some books or videos from your public library.

Watch the pros on TV and try to pick things up. Example, try to find a hitter that is comparable to your skills ( If you are a power hitter, watch David Ortiz or if you are a contact hitter, watch Derek Jeter ). You would be amazed at what you can learn by simply watching.

Last .... practice, practice, practice. In the cage, keep your head down on the ball and have the mentality that you are going to catch the ball with your bat. Roll your wrists through the zone and follow through completely.

Good Luck.

Answer 5

I like the wiffle golf ball idea...either soft toss or have someone pitch them to you. Even if you don't hit any, it will make a baseball seem that much easier to hit. The basketball idea isn't bad either but really, any hitting off a tee is good for you so you can work on your mechanics one step at a time. It allows you to start over or concentrate on one part of your swing without having to try hitting a pitch. Don't over-stride and finally, 3 words...."Sqish The Bug." Basically twist your back leg so the ball of your back foot squishes an imaginary bug. It will help with balance. Good Luck!

Answer 6

Always carry 2 bats,with the heavier bat back up in the batters-box as far as you can to get the most time to swing

Answer 7

Be glad to help you out, and take it from someone who is up there in batting average in a baseball league that i play in. Firstly, choke up on the bat, so that you are able to get around and get good bat speed. Second, do not try and to pull the ball. Rather, hit the ball where the ball is pitched. Third is your batting stance. You should be roughly the distance of 1 bat length away from home plate. Forth, learn what the strike zone is. In this way you will learn to be patient and to take the good pitches in which you are able to handle, and to hit the ball well. Finally, learn how to bunt. You have know idea that by being able how to bunt will help you in your batting average, and more importantly be able to help you to get on base or to advance a base runner in crucial situations. It might also be a good idea for you to try and to get a batting coach as well, so that he could physically show you what I am explaining to you.

Answer 8

Batting is eye hand coordination. You should get one bat and stick with it. When you keep switching up bats your timing get messed up. I would say use the bat you are most comfortable with. If you have to use a bigger bat next year hit the cages after the season is over to prepare your self.

I hope this helps.

Answer 9

I would hit the batting cages, theres nothing to getting better but practice, not to brag or anything but im a 2-time centerfield all-star and i got there by practice, a good technique for getting more contact with the ball is bunting it really gets ur Hand-To-Eye cordination improved

Answer 10

telle boy , just relax and let the bat rest on your shoulder, don't grip the bat tight until you are about to swing at the ball. keep your eyes on the ball at all time. when you are about to swing the bat, grip it tight and swing level with your eyes still on the ball.

you might wanna step toward the pitcher to gain power from your back leg.