Hitting a baseball consistently is one of the hardest things to accomplish in sports. Pitchers throw the ball at speeds approaching 95 mph and higher, and they curve it, sink and change speeds. Putting the biggest part of your bat barrel on the center part of the ball takes skill, timing, practice and a bit of luck. Taking it a step further and hitting the ball well enough so that it goes over the fence for a home run requires nearly perfect technique, athleticism, strength and confidence.
Step 1
Take a comfortable stance in the batter's box. There is no right or wrong way to stand. However, you want to be able to see the pitcher clearly and focus on the baseball. Have your feet set shoulder-width apart and have your hands about six to 10 inches away from your rear shoulder. Bend your knees and look at the baseball in the pitcher's hand.
Step 2
Get the majority of your weight on your rear leg just before the pitcher delivers the pitch. This is called "loading your bat" or "negative movement." Transfer your weight from your rear leg to your front leg as you swing the bat.
Step 3
Take a small step toward the pitcher to begin the swing process. Don't take a big step because this will change the level of your head and affect how you see the ball. A small step will get your weight going forward and will not impact your concentration or your vision.
Step 4
Fire your hands forward at the level the ball is coming in. As you bring your hands forward, bring the front foot down on the ground and use it as a pivot point for your swing. The more solid that front side is and the straighter your left arm is, the more bat head speed you will have when the bat impacts the ball.
Step 5
Finish your swing with a slight uppercut in order to get the ball up in the air and have it travel its maximum distance. This last tip is for a consistent hitter who is confident that he can hit the ball hard. If you are not an accomplished hitter, finishing with an upper cut will likely result in a popup.
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