Trying to get a hit off a pitcher is one of the most difficult things to do in sports. Hitting a hard line drive should be considered a success and something to be celebrated. But consider the home run. Hitting a drive that flies 375 feet or more and disappears over an 8-foot fence can be a shocking feat. Yet there are some players who can hit the long ball with regularity. It takes agility, hand-eye coordination, quick hands, strength and knowledge of the strike zone.
Step 1
Stand deep in the batter's box when your goal is to hit a home run. You want to give yourself the opportunity to get around fully on the baseball and standing near the back line of the batter's box will give you a split second longer to wait before beginning your swing.
Step 2
Load your swing before you stride into the ball. Loading your swing--also called negative movement--is a slight lean back toward the catcher as the pitcher finishes his windup and starts his delivery. The key to hitting for power is timing the ball so that your weight is coming forward as you swing the bat. You ensure that your weight is coming forward if you load all your weight on to your back leg before you start to swing.
Step 3
Place the small finger of your bottom hand around the knob of the bat. If you are a right-handed batter, this will be your left small finger. That makes it a bit more difficult to hit the ball squarely, but it will give you a longer swing, which generates more power. Increased bat head speed at impact is the key factor when it comes to hitting home runs.
Step 4
Hold off until the last instant before starting your swing. The longer you wait, the better the opportunity you will have to recognize the pitch. If you are facing a curve ball, this will give you an opportunity to have your bat in the right position to make full contact. The same holds true for a fast ball, slider or change-up.
Tips and Warnings
- Work on developing a smooth and flawless swing. You will surprise yourself by showing power when you have a mistake-free approach to hitting.
Member Comments