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 the broader picture of the skills of baseball. This is for them - and, we hope, you.


And at the first sign of failure - even a single swing and miss - the rest of the at-bat was doomed. It didn't matter if the miss was on a too-high fastball, or a nasty breaking pitch on which the bottom dropped out. He reacted as if it was a perfect pitch down the middle that was missed. You could see it in his slumped shoulders and his eyes - he just knew he couldn't hit. And that just made the results of the next pitch even worse. He would either try even harder - overstriding, bad timing, another miss - or he would make a half-hearted, lazy swing - the swing of someone just flailing at the ball knowing he wouldn't hit it anyway. Nobody else got down on him - we didn't have to; he was his own biggest critic, his own worst enemy. Making it even tougher for the team and for himself, he's a bigger than average player - you knew there was power potential there, if only...


Working on his negativity is much the same as working with any batter in a slump. The problem is as much mental as physical, perhaps more so. It's all about expectation of a big powereful hit and combating the disappointment of a missed opportunity.

Because of that, we worked on small cues that might improve his plate appearances - getting him to focus on a narrower range of vision, looking for the ball from half way in, and simply trying to make contact. In other words, the objective or task was not hitting the long ball but simply hitting.

We also worked with him on stepping out of the box after a miss, taking a practice swing, getting a fresh start, putting the last pitch out of his mind and getting ready for the next pitch. In effect, trying to establish a routine at the plate.

We also tried to develop a pre-game ritual (partly his own doing) in which he would work on soft toss with rubber balls, and straighten in throws with wiffle balls - all designed to make the act of swinging routine, predictable, no big deal. This was partly to improve his hitting mechanics (without any overt adjustment) but also to make sure he was comfortable and confident when stepping up to the plate.


We have not yet turned him into the best hitter on the team. But his power has proven itself more than once - generating long doubles and, more importantly RBIs. He has even laid down bunts effectively - making him a more rounded hitter who can contribute to the team in many ways.

If there is an area that still needs work it is, surprisingly, the next game after a good outting. Having done well in one game, there is a danger of heightened expectations for the next game - and that can lead to another attempt at over-achievement with negative results.

As coaches when faced with a player who has had one good outting with gappers and RBIs, we need to show patience and not rush him into a more demanding spot in the line-up. Better to let him stay in the #8 secondary power slot than move him too soon to the 4 or 5 slot.