Baseball AcademicsTHE STEP
BY RICHARD PACE
The actual planting of the front foot is delayed until the location of the pitch is determined. This determination is made in a split second whether stepping toward or away (in or out) from the plate for specific pitches thrown. Making this split second determination of pitch location increases the likelihood of perfect timing and making it possible for players to hit the ball where the ball is pitched. In special cases the front foot may be committed earlier than usual, as a defensive hitting maneuver. Let’s say the batter is anticipating a fastball and is fooled or caught by an off speed pitch, the batter can compensate when he shifts his weight prematurely forward by continuing to keep his bat back. Depending on the batting count (2 strikes), the batter can foul off the pitch or put the ball in play rather than taking a called 3 strike. The batter who avoids premature weight transfer can normally hit to all fields consistently. In a well-coordinated swing the weight is transferred from the back foot to the front foot. This allows free movement of hip rotation, which is necessary for perfect timing.
Let me quickly highlight key components of the weight shift in your swing:
- Shift your weight back on the balls of your back foot to a degree of personal comfort.
- A helpful way to distribute weight back is slightly turn your front leg inward.
- Develop a coordinated weight shift. First back, then forward, leading with the lower half of your body.
- Allow yourself “some” movement in your stance and in your batting grip. Stay loose and stride. A good stride with proper timing and coordination puts you in the best position to hit the baseball.
There is a widely held belief in which I subscribe to, is that batters don’t actually begin their stride until the ball leaves the pitcher’s hand. The forward stride actually begins while the pitcher’s arm is descending- but before the pitch is thrown. You cannot step and hit at the same time; you have to step and then hit. This is an absolute.
Many of old and young players alike who have hit off the newer pitching machines where the ball pops out of a hole has invariably created stride problems for us. Our strides are too early or too late. This hitting practice can actually be counter- productive. The better hitting machines have the arm that allows the hitter to time the release. The better machines go one step better. There is a projection of a pitcher on the screen. The pitcher’s wind up and delivery is captured and is coordinated with the pitching machines release of the ball. Your stride reaction is therefore “in time” with the delivery of the ball.
There are no rules about the correct length of the stride. I have noticed smaller ball players have longer strides, because they need to generate more momentum to power the ball. The bigger stronger players have shorter strides, because they predominately use their upper body to drive the ball. Take the stride that is most comfortable for you and make sure it’s directed toward the pitcher and adjust as necessary to where the ball is pitched. Things to remember; begin the stride before the pitcher releases the ball, take the stride that is most comfortable for you, maintain your balance, lead with your legs then rotate, begin with the stride closed and allow the foot when it is planted, to open up slightly on the completion of the swing.
THE SWING
Many hitters have unknowingly developed bad batting techniques or habits and have compounded them over many years. I have spent the majority of my baseball career hitting incorrectly! I continue to battle those bad habits today. I do not think I am alone in this club. It’s not a matter of instructing players how to swing, but helping them unlearn or “untangle” what they are already doing.
THE FUNCTION OF THE HANDS
The top hand provides stability and support of the bat. The better hitters are aware to keep that top hand underneath at the point of contact with the ball, not over. When that bat hits the ball, the top hand should be underneath the bat. This may seem at odds with what would be logical to many hitters. The thought would be the top hand should stay on top at the point of contact- yes if you want to beat the ball into the ground all the time. Also, the right-handed hitter would expect their right hand, top hand when holding the bat, to be the dominant one. This is not correct. The bottom hand is the power hand and the top hand is let’s say, the “tour guide”.The shorter and faster the swing, the more time a hitter can wait in committing to a pitch. This type of swing can be easily controlled. A big looping swing is slower and is difficult to manage. The shorter the batters swing the better the bat control and bat speed. By starting down with the bottom hand, you are essentially dropping the head of the bat out front with a quick stroke making contact - and that’s the key! This key moment in the swing is not only when the ball gets hit, but because it’s the point at which the motion of the swing is no longer “down”, but starts it’s semi circle upward. This is the correct and most efficient way of hitting the ball.
I have a problem at times where my swing is late coming through the strike zone and I am making contact in the downward motion phase of the swing. The result is a ground ball to the short stop. I want to hit the ball in front of me. At that point of contact my swing should be level and going up slightly. During the process of making contact with the ball, my eyes are following the baseball’s path - and as it makes contact with the bat. When contact of the ball is made I keep (hold) my eyes at the point of contact for a second then I look up and track the flight of the ball off the bat. This is a very important habit to develop. I cannot stress this enough. If you do not keep your head down and your eyes fixed at the anticipated point of contact, you are most likely losing the track of the ball the last two feet prior to the “point” of contact. Many hitters hit this way for their entire careers. They think they are seeing the ball perfectly. But that last couple of feet they’re not seeing the ball. This batter is actually guessing or extrapolating the location of the ball’s path at the time of their swing.
Little Leaguers have always been taught to keep their eyes on the ball. But they were never told the rest of the story. I have always instructed ball players to keep both eyes on the ball with their head positioned accordingly - “down”. If a pitch is taken, the batter should always “eyeball” the baseball all the way into the catcher’s glove – in a deliberate fashion. Placing emphasis in following the ball into the catcher’s glove reinforces this good habit you are trying to establish and maintain. Following the ball into the catcher’s glove should be a habit for every batter. What this action also does is help you keep your head down on the ball. It still amazes me how many batters do not do this. It is either the hitter is not aware of the importance or it is simply being lazy. It’s easier not to follow the ball into the catcher’s glove. Avoiding this step compromises your batting average, guaranteed. Have someone take your picture while you are batting. Have them capture the instant you make contact or swing at the ball. You will be able to observe in these pictures whether you have your eyes “down" on the ball at the point of contact or not. If your head is not positioned to eye that ball into the bat your swing is being compromised.
The position of the head affects not only the sight of the ball, but the swing as well. If your head moves up too early, the whole rhythm of the swing is off. Your shoulders and hips will be out of proper position and therefore the start of the swing is beginning at the incorrect point. So keeping your head down on the ball is the most essential component of the entire swing. Being habitual when it comes to keeping your head down on the ball and being very deliberate keeping your head down after the point of contact will increase your chances of making proper contact with the ball.
