Hitting a home run is one of the most difficult tasks in baseball. Hall of Famer Ted Williams called hitting a baseball the most difficult thing to do in sports. Any way you slice it, hitting a home run is challenging. The key characteristic of hitting the ball hard on a consistent basis is making solid contact with the barrel of the bat on the center of the baseball. You must also generate significant bat head speed when you make that contact.
Step 1
Take a comfortable stance in the batter's box. To hit the ball hard, you must feel comfortable when you step up to the plate. Make sure your feet are about shoulder width apart and bend your knees slightly. Hold the bat about 6 to 8 inches above your back shoulder. Concentrate your vision on the baseball in the pitcher's hand.
Step 2
Load your swing. The way to hit the ball hard and generate enough power to hit a home run is to get all your momentum moving forward when you make contact with the ball. To get your momentum moving forward when the pitch comes in, you have to have your weight on your back leg before the pitch comes in. This process is called negative movement and is also known as loading your swing.
Step 3
Drive your hands through the baseball. Your bottom hand is your lead hand. If you are right handed, your left hand will pull your bat to the ball. To hit the ball for distance, make sure the knob of the bat is pointing directly at the pitcher until you are ready to bring the bat across the plate. At that point, drive the barrel end of the bat into the ball with as much bat head speed as you can generate without losing control of the bat.
Step 4
Follow through fully after making contact. Many batters tend to stop or slow down after the bat head hits the ball. This has a negative impact on your power and distance. Continue to swing the bat after contact. If you can finish with a slight uppercut to your swing, you will get the ball up higher in the air, which will give you the added distance you need to hit a home run.
Tips and Warnings
- Concentrate on hitting the ball hard. If you are thinking about hitting a home run, you will most likely pop the ball up in the air. You want to drive the ball hard, and that needs to be your mindset.
References
- "The Science of Hitting"; Ted Williams and John Underwood; 1986
- Baseball Corner: Batting Tips and Drills
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