Batting

Alot of new players have trouble with batting and even the more experienced player have difficulty with it too. Here are five simple steps to batting.

1: Get Ready: This is when the pitcher is getting ready to pitch the ball. You want to have your focus on the ball in the pitchers hand. Your knees should be slightly bent and the bat should be relaxed in your hands and pointed toward third base. Your hands should be at your ear.

2: Load: Alot of players try to overload thinking that they will get more power. This is not true: if you overload all you will accomplish is messing up your balance. The load should be a slight movement. Bring the bat from the starting position back so that it is over your back leg.

3: Stride: The stride is when you pick up your lead foot and step toward the pitcher. Make sure that you do not stride out of the box. This could cause you to miss the outside pitch.

4: Swing: The swing just might be the most important part of hitting. If you swing under the ball will pop up. If you chop at the ball you will get a dinky hit. You want to swing level. Make sure that when you swing that your elbow is connected to your hip and that your weight is over your back leg.

5: Follow through: After you make contact with the ball, bring the bat all the way to your shoulder. You want your hips open and toward the pitcher. Your front leg should be firm and straight. Your back leg should be bent and you should be turned on the ball of your foot.

The center of gravity is very important when it comes to hitting. When you begin your center of gravity should be over your back foot. When you load it should be over your back leg. When you stride it should remain at your back leg. When you swing the center of gravity will shift forward. When you follow through it should be back over your back leg again.

The grip is also important. You want the bat relaxed in your hands. your door knocking knuckles should be aligned.

Your hips are very important. Your hips create all the power in your hit. Open your hips when you swing.

WHERE YOU SHOULD BE IN THE BOX: Your position in the batters box should be close to the plate but not on the plate. Make sure that you can reach the outside corner and that you are not too close to the plate.

Good Luck : )