Baseball AcademicsBAT SELECTION
BY RICHARD PACE
The first thing a batter should do is select a bat of the proper weight, length and shape. Naturally this varies with the individual. It is possible that the selection of an improper bat may have a detrimental effect on the batting of a player, but is impossible to insist that a certain bat should be used or that the hands must be placed at a specific position on the bat. Nor can a batter be instructed to stand near or far from the plate, in the front or back of the batter’s box, or with the feet close together or spread. Individual players in their execution of batting must determine these choices because everyone differs physically. I for instance select a bat that feels good in my hands – a thin handle rather than a wider or thicker handle. Find your grip and stance that is most comfortable.
THE STANCE
The stance is the foundation for everything that follows. In some ways, it is the important key to hitting well. If the stance isn’t competent, what follows can’t be competent. The efficiency of the swing and stance becomes compromised and balance is lost. The swing falls apart. The stance with regard to the front and back of the batter’s box: a position toward the front of the box being favored when batting against pitchers who throw slow breaking curve balls and one toward the back of the box if batting against pitchers who rely chiefly on overhand fast pitches. Most pitchers do rely chiefly on their fastball. Typically you find yourself predominately toward the back of the batter’s box.
THE HITTING POSITION
The swing I prefer the most; my feet are parallel, neither closed nor open, and my knees are slightly bent. I wait for the pitch with my weight back (slight lean) – front foot on the balls of my foot more so on my lead foot than back foot, not on my heels. My hands are positioned so that my bat is at a 45-degree angle to the ground, and my head fully faces the pitcher - over my shoulder in so that I have a clear view of the pitcher with “both eyes”. For most hitters, I recommend a balanced, manageable stance. A balanced stance helps assure that the swing will progress from the feet, through the legs through the hips, to the shoulders, to the arms, until it finally works its way up to the head - which remains motionless.
The bat is held back and above the shoulders with the arms away from the body when the ball is ready to be thrown by the pitcher. Most batters hold the forward arm parallel to the ground. I have mine at a slight angle. The forward arm functions as the guiding arm, where as the rear or back arm provides the power. The forward arm can also produce a degree of power but not compared to the rear arm’s potential of generating power. The majority of ball players hold their elbow of their rear arm slightly below the shoulder. The muscles remain relaxed in this position but not “loose”.
