Feature Story

Basic Fundamentals of Hitting

By Scott Grove, Camp Coordinator

• Ability to cover the plate to hit strikes on both the inside and outside corners
• Relaxed grip aligning the “knocking knuckles” close together
• Elbows relaxed and down/comfortable
• Bat comes off the back shoulder “up and back” as the pitcher begins to wind-up
• Slight wrap of the bat will take the end (top) of the barrel above the top of the hitters head – creates torque in the hands
• Head remains still and both eyes are on the pitcher – nose on the ball
• Slight flex in the knees
• Power comes from the ground up – hitter should be “plugged in”…both feet should be on the ground at the time of the pitch
• Back heel will go up on the swing and the hitter will pivot on the back foot as far as necessary to rotate the torso into the correct hitting position
• Hitter’s shoulders are square to the plate until the bat is swung through the hitting zone
• Front hip of the hitter should be pulled out (away from the hands) creating separation or a twisting (torque) effect of the torso
• Hitter should establish a stance at least as long as the length of the bat…wide stance, but comfortable
• Stride (if taken)…should be short, soft and direct to the pitcher…Emphasize the use of no-stride especially for the hitting drills
• Swing involves synchronizing the back side of the body…shoulder, elbow, hip and knee
• Back elbow is “tucked” to start the swing and the back hip rotates to the location of the pitch – tuck and turn to the ball
• Shoulders remain closed as long as possible
• Hitter “turns” to the pitch using the back foot and knee…instead of saying “squish the bug” use “rotate the heel” as much as needed
• Front elbow lifts slightly as the hands turn over to start the swing – emphasize swinging the handle of the bat to get maximum bat speed
• Keep knees inside the feet and the weight back
• Firm front leg…slightly bent
• The swing path of the bat must match the plane of the pitch…the swing will be slightly upward – barrel of the bat is below the hands at contact
• Hands stay “inside” the baseball – extension is toward the pitcher – watch for hitters that “cast” or throw their hands away from their body
• Keep the bat moving through the hitting zone and follow through with a high finish

Get more great coaching tips and drills at LittleLeagueCoach.org.