A hitting stick is a simple training device commonly used to replicate soft-toss with either a baseball or softball. Designed to improve hand-eye coordination, directional hitting, and timing, a hitting stick can be used in an open area with enough space for a player to safely swing a bat.
To use a hitting stick, the person not hitting uses the right hand (or both hands) to firmly hold the hit stick for a right-handed batter and left-hand (or both hands) for a left-handed batter, and standing in the opposite-side batter’s box directly facing the hitter.
The Little Leaguer® assumes a normal hitting stance, and using a normal step-and-stride swing, attempts to strike the knob of the hitting stick with the barrel of the bat. The person holding the hit stick should allow their arm to swing freely as the batter contacts the hitting stick.
Here are three positions to help develop your Little Leaguer’s batting skills with a hitting stick. Repeat for 10 swings before adjusting the hitting stick to the next position. The batter should wear a batting helmet, and related batting gear (gloves, protective padding, etc.) as to simulate a game situation, including using his or her game-day bat.
Inside Pitch
- Extend the hitting stick in front of the batter so that the knob of the hitting stick is thigh-high to the batter and directly above the front-inside corner of home plate.
- The position of the hitting stick knob will practice a player’s ability to adjust their stride and placement of the front foot, open the hips, adjust the swing angle, maintain clear vision at the point of contact, and “pull” an inside pitch.
Down the Middle
- Extend the hit stick in front of the batter so that the knob of the hitting stick is thigh-high to the batter and directly above the center of home plate.
- The position of the hitting stick knob will practice a player’s ability to adjust their stride and placement of the front foot, adjust the swing angle, maintain clear vision at the point of contact, stay on top of the ball, and drive it toward the center of the diamond.
Outside Pitch
- Extend the hitting stick in front of the batter so that the knob of the hitting stick is thigh-high to the batter and directly above the back-outside corner of home plate.
- The position of the hitting stick knob will practice a player’s ability to step toward the front foot the pitch, adjust the swing angle, maintain clear vision at the point of contact, and drive a ball toward the opposite field.