Baseball is regarded as the American pastime. From sandlot games as a kid to softball tournaments as an adult, baseball will always, somehow, be a part of your life. Although tossing a ball around in the yard during a game of catch with a friend or your kid can be satisfying, eventually you will want to step up to the plate and hit a baseball. Hitting is the fun part of baseball, but if you can't seem to make contact between the ball and the bat it can quickly become frustrating and even embarrassing. Yet, with a little studying of the fundamentals and a whole lot of practice, you'll soon be well on your way to hitting baseballs over the fence, or at least hitting them somewhere.
1. PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE
As much as you may hate to admit it, there really is no better way to hit a baseball then by going out to the field and practicing it. After all, practice really does make perfect. Whether you opt to practice by taking swings with a friend or heading to a batting cage, the more swings you take means the better you'll get. When you're out taking practicing, be sure to keep these fundamentals in mind:
Grip: Always hold the bat like you would hold an axe. If you are right handed, put your left hand near the knob found at the bottom of the bat and your right hand directly above that. Left-handers should do exactly the opposite. The curve of the lower barrel should rest in the middle of your fingers. Too many novice players put this part of the bat in their palms, which doesn't allow for a firm grip. If you have soft hands, consider wearing batting gloves to protect yourself from blisters and to hold onto the bat with a better grip.Stance: The batter stands in the batter's box, which surrounds home plate. Find a place where you feel comfortable, keeping in mind that the farther back you stand the more time you'll have to react to the pitch. Your stance should be comfortable and somewhat relaxed. Your feet should be angled and your knees slightly bent, with your legs spread about to shoulders length apart in order to maintain balance.Bat Position: The bottom of your bat should be at approximately the same level as your armpits. Your arms should be slightly off your torso, but not extended.Take Aim: As the pitch is released and the ball is coming at you, take a step towards the pitcher's mound. When moving, keep your head and torso steady and never let your eyes stray from the ball. Focus is the key to making contact. As you stride towards the ball, your entire lower body should follow but your hands and shoulders should remain still.Swing Away: When the ball reaches the batter's box, it's time to swing. As you swing, try to keep the bat behind the ball. As the swing reaches the ball, you should pivot forward and shift your weight from the back foot to the front foot. At all times during the swing your elbows should remain close to your body. Keep your head steady and your eye on the ball. You should actually be able to see the ball hit the bat. Once you have made contact, follow through with your upper torso, never stopping your swing short.2. OTHER OPTIONS:
Start from scratch: Maybe the best thing for you to do is return to the fundamentals. Buy a tee and a ball and practice hitting. It may sound silly, and make you look ridiculous, but it will establish the basics in your mind and body.
Slow Pitch: After hitting off a tee, have someone pitch a ball to you underhand. Just have them lob it on in while you take a swing at it.
Tether ball: Some hitters like to hang a tennis ball or other soft ball from a hook and string in their garage. This is almost like hitting off a tee, but you can make the ball move slowly back and forth before whacking it!
Batting Cages: There are many batting cages across the country. Spend a few bucks visiting one, and take pointers from some of the experts there.
Go to a Fantasy Camp: Pro-sports fantasy camps are all the rage. Many legendary players from today and yesterday, will hold camps to teach you how to play baseball. For a complete list of fantasy camps, visit: hihard.com.
3. CHECK THESE FINE SITES:
The Internet is full of helpful information and instructional tips on how to hit a baseball. From message boards to coach's pages, how-to articles, or simulation modules, with the right site you can have a batting practice without ever leaving your computer monitor. A few great sites to be sure to check out are:
www.webball.com: A fundamentals site covering drills and basic learning methods. This site will cover everything and anything you ever wanted to know about learning how to hit a ball.
www.baseball-fundamentals.com. At Baseball Fundamentals, under the Players link, you can sign up for a personal tutorial on all the fundamentals of the game, including hitting. The training program may seem a bit basic, even childish, but it provides you the needed instruction to allow you to make contact with the ball.
4. HIT THE BOOKS AND WATCH THE TAPES
The best way to learn the fundamentals of any athletic skill, including hitting a baseball, is to read books and watch instructional videos on the topic. Your local library or bookstore will be full of baseball-skills related books and videos. Take a look through the sports section and see what you can find. When choosing books on the topic, look for volumes with many of illustrations and photographs. Reading about the fundamentals is one thing, but seeing how the skill actually looks when performed will often make things clearer. A good book should cover all the intricacies of batting, including feet position, hand grip, size of bat, the swing and keeping your eye on the ball. The book should also provide you with drills to do on your own. Videos are another great option for learning how to hit a baseball. Often, videos are hosted by some of the top hitters in professional baseball or some of the best hitting coaches. Watching a video specifically on hitting a baseball is like having your own personal coach right in your living room.
Here are some popular books and videos on Hitting a Baseball:
Remember that this will all move rather quickly, so don't be disappointed if you don't hit the ball the first time. Timing is a big part of hitting a ball, and by focusing and practicing, you'll eventually get that timing down. By following these simple steps and taking lots and lots of practice swings, you'll be well on your way to the Big Leagues, or at least to hitting that baseball.
