Learning to hit in baseball is the most important aspect of the game when it comes to becoming a productive player if you are not a pitcher. Hitting takes hand-eye coordination, quick hands, strength and confidence. In order to hit pitches that may reach 100 mph, you need to build a fast and repeatable swing that allows you to make contact.
Stance
Find a batting stance that you like and stick with it. In order to become a consistent hitter you need a consistent stance. Stand with your feet slightly wider than shoulder width apart. Your left foot should be facing directly at the pitcher if you are a right-handed batter. Your weight should be largely on your back leg so you can easily transfer it to your front side as the pitch comes at you. Your hands should be at shoulder height so you can attack the baseball no matter where it's pitched.
Stride
A small stride forward will help you to be quicker with your swing and will enable you to hit the ball hard. Since your weight is on your back leg as the pitcher begins his windup, the only place you can move is forward. You don't need a long stride to create momentum. A long stride will also likely result in you moving your head as the pitch is coming. You want to keep your head as still as possible in order to have the best chance to have a clear vision of the ball as it comes toward home plate.
Swing
Move your hands away from your body until your arms are fully extended in front of your lead shoulder. Swing your arms towards the pitch. As you make contact with the ball, roll your wrists toward the pitcher and then continue to follow through with your swing. Rolling your wrists will create overspin on the ball and if you meet the ball at its center, this will cause the ball to fly higher and longer.
Pitch Location
Hit the ball hard by going with the pitch as it comes to you. Many players want to pull the ball and become power hitters. However, if you are a right-handed batter and you try to pull a hard fastball that is over the outer portion of the plate, you will likely hit a ground ball to shortstop. The best hitters know they can hit the ball with power to all fields. Drive the outside pitch to right field, hit the pitch over the middle to centerfield and pull the inside pitch to leftfield. Hitting the ball in the direction that it reaches home plate gives you your best chance to consistently hit the ball hard.
