Good hitting is essential to a baseball team's success. Without good hitting, there is no offense and no scoring. One of the main ways coaches teach hitting fundamentals to players is through hitting drills. These drills teach players the proper technique and motion needed to hit the ball a variety of different ways and places on the field.
Power Bat Drill
One of the keys to good hitting, and especially good power hitting, is to make sure the bat maintains proper speed through the hit. Many hitters hesitate upon impact and don't have a proper follow through, which decreases the power on the ball, causing it to fly shorter. The power bat drill is a good drill to teach this technique to players. For this drill, set up a tee with a soccer ball on top of it instead of a baseball. Have the players practice their power swing, focusing on powering through the ball and making sure the bat maintains proper speed all the way through the swing. Using a heavier ball makes it easier for players to learn and maintain the proper speed when later hitting the lighter baseball.
Hip Rotation Drill
One of the keys to properly hitting the ball is making sure your hips are properly rotating, which can have an impact of the trajectory of the baseball. Opening up the hips wrong can cause the ball to go somewhere you don't want it to. In the hip rotation drill, have the batter stand in his normal batting stance, with the bat behind his back, holding it with his arms, hands at his side. The coach or pitcher stands on the mound and calls out "inside pitch" or "outside pitch" and simulates the pitching motion but does not throw a ball. The player takes his normal stride and then practices rotating his body, starting with the hips. The placement of the bat will help emphasize proper hip rotation. The player should open up his hips more on an inside pitch in order to get the bat in proper position to make solid contact.
Fence Drill
The fence drill simulates the proper hand action needed to hit the ball properly. Many times, players "sweep" their hands through the hitting zone, causing unnecessary and improper bat action. To eliminate this, have the player stand facing a tall fence. The player extends his back hitting arm so the fingers are just barely touching the fence. Have him drop his hand, then hand him a bat. Instruct him to practice several swings, making sure not to hit the fence with the bat. This will prevent the "sweeping" motion and keep the path of the bat is on the proper plane.
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