Hitting can be taught.
This page is based on the recent on-field experience of two of WebBall's coaches. It's not the typical quick tips page which we offer elsewhere on the site. But based on recent surveys and feedback, there is a segment of our visitors that appreciates both the broader picture and greater detail on the skills of baseball. This is for them - and, we hope, you.


We've seen more than one batter we could put in this category. This goes beyond the selective hitter. This is the batter who's hoping for a walk; who hates the idea of a swing and miss; who would rather watch a pitch go by and complain about a bad call by the ump than strike out swinging. This fear of failure is all-consuming and unfortunately self-fulfilling. The sure indication that this is what we're dealing with is when he actually watches the pitch cross the plate into the catcher's mitt and nods as if to agree that 'yes that was a good pitch'. Worse, when he does swing, it's so careful and cautious that he barely makes contact - just enough to ground out.


We may never turn this watcher into a free swinger (probably just as well). But we can instill some confidence in him, a willingness to swing more, be willing to fail sometimes, but also to be rewarded sometimes with a good hit.

We can't be upset when he looks at a third strike. Why not? Because he will then imagine how much angrier the coaches will be when he swings and misses (remember: that's his expectation of failure response, whether it's yours or not).

Also, we can't take away whatever hitting capability he may have by telling him to "choke up and protect the plate" on 2 strikes. Why not, doesn't everyone say that? Maybe, but it's wrong. After all, you don't practice choke swings, so what makes you think he can do it in a tense game situation - his grip is not comfortable, he's even more likely to swing and miss (self-fulfillment again). Even the 'protect' is wrong because it reinforces the weak, fearful swing that he always makes.

The best approach with this guy is to help him model pitches - get him focused on the pitch itself and where it goes - learn the size of the strike zone from each called strike and react to the next pitch in that location. Overtime he will learn which pitches will be strikes and therefore which pitches he needs to swing at.

The next phase is to get him to be a low-count hitter. Every decent pitcher probably has a good set-up pitch and a good out pitch. They are seldom used on less than a 1-1 count. So part of the process is to make sure he swings on the third or second pitch - even the first pitch - don't wait to get in trouble.

One of the ways to remind him of this is our "hit-hit-hit-hold" mantra. In other words, on each pitch step in prepared to hit, thinking hit, starting the lower half in motion, then hold up only if the pitch isn't where you want it. Much better than waiting to see a good pitch but starting to swing too late. And just in case you think that's just a mental cue, it's not. Think about how we teach fielding grounders - get the glove below the ball and come up. Why? Because flexing the biceps is easier than extending them down. Same thing for hitting - pulling the bat back is quicker than extending the arms.


The results are best measured in the number of batters who get on base and the runs that score. Putting the ball in play effectively is always better than an at-bat wasted on a called third strike. However, this is not a quick fix, nor a one-dose remedy. Some batters need regular (but not constant) reminders to hit-hit-hit-(hold). Others just need a sign to look for a pitch early in the count. But remember, like all case histories this advice is not for everyone. If you have a hitter who always swings at poor pitches early in the count, he needs to learn how to be more selective. (It's all about knowing your players.)