As Red Sox legend Ted Williams often said, the hardest thing to do in sports is hit a round ball with a round bat. But there is no one right way to do it, as there are almost as many batting stances as Hall of Famers who used them. Finding the right stance for you is the key to successful hitting.
Balance
To take a proper swing at the ball, the batter's feet should be shoulder-width apart, giving the hitter a proper base from which to rotate the upper body through the swing. The knees should also be slightly bent, to evenly distribute body weight. If the batter is leaning too far in any one direction, it will cause the swing to lose power as the bat meets the ball. Ideally, there should be a slight bounce in the step as the batter waits for the ball, allowing the hitter to drive through the pitch in a swift motion.
Weight Shift
As the pitch is released, the batter should initiate his swing. To get the maximum bat speed through the hitting zone, the batter should raise his front leg as the pitch is released, then put it back down as he begins to swing the bat. The forward motion created by placing the foot back down builds extra momentum for the hips and arms as the swing comes through the zone, increasing the bat speed and power against the ball as it is struck.
Location
Being able to cover the plate with the bat is critical, according to QCBaseball.com, You must be able to protect the outside of the plate, while not standing too close and making yourself vulnerable to the inside strike. Before getting into a set position, practice your swing to see if you can comfortably cover the width of the plate. Also, if you are concerned about the speed of the pitcher, place your back foot as far back in the batter's box as possible, giving you the maximum distance away from the pitcher as he releases the ball.
Comfort
Tension and anxiety in the batter's box is a hitter's worst enemy. The batter should be loose and comfortable as he waits for the pitch to be delivered. The most-common way of maintaining that feeling of freedom is by taking short, smooth practice swings through the zone while awaiting the pitch. While not full swings, the motion of moving the bat into the hitting zone and back keeps the hands and wrists loose, and increases muscle memory for the actual pitch. If the pitcher is taking too long, do not hesitate to back out of the box and re-start the approach.
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