HITTING IMPROVEMENT
SITUATIONS: Emphasize hitting fast ball.
1. COUNTS
(0-0, 1-0, 1-1): hit only fast ball you like (in your "zone")
(2-0, 3-1): zone fast ball you hit best
(2-1): most cases .... zone fast ball
HOWEVER ... take into account pitcher's ability and previous 3 pitch selections; may have to look curve or change
(3-0): take unless in your zone (the pitch you came to the park to hit) if swinging .... don't jump on just any pitch but rather look for a pitch in your zone
(0-1): no change in attitude .... get a fast ball
(2 strikes): attitude changes .... always look fast ball but react to curve and change
WAIT, WAIT, WAIT!!! strike zone is widened to black of the plate THE FURTHER AHEAD IN THE COUNT YOU GET, THE SMALLER YOUR STRIKE ZONE BECOMES; THE FURTHER BEHIND IN THE COUNT YOU GET, THE BIGGER YOUR STRIKE ZONE BECOMES.

DRILLS (do at every practice with Hitting Vest!!!)

  1. Tees (100): 33 high, 34 middle, 33 low --- alternate hitting to left, center, right
  2. Toss (100): alternate hitting to left, center, right
  3. Backside flips (25): reverse toss drills, emphasis on waiting to hit curve and change
  4. Weak-side swings (25): hitting one-handed with non-throwing hand
  5. Turns (25): bat behind back, emphasis on hitting with hips


GAME-DAY DRILLS (do before every game!!!)

  1. Tees (50)
  2. Toss (50)
  3. Backside flips (15)
  4. Turns (15)
  5. Short toss (10-10-5): pitcher throws from 30-40 feet with tennis balls or IncrediBalls (20 swings, 5 bunts)


VISION

  1. Watch front shoulder of pitcher.
  2. Move vision to release point just as ball is released.
  3. Study pitcher to find release point.
  4. Read pitcher's arm release to see where ball is going.
  5. Track ball into your hitting zone.
  6. Hand release shows where ball is going (high/low, in/out).
  7. If at release point ball is level with hand --- fast ball.
  8. If at release point ball is above hand --- curve or change.


Submitted by: Peter DiGaudio