Four reasons for taking your time when getting into the batter’s box

“If you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.” 

– Dr. Wayne Dyer

I think most (if not all!) baseball people would agree that the finer points of the game are too often neglected in player development.  Today’s post involves several game-like situations where greater awareness is necessary.  Even though each situation is slightly different, they all require the same response by a batter who finds himself at the plate. 

Most young hitters cannot wait to step into the box.  Some literally run to get there. Coaches and fans may love the hustle but I would contend that there are situations where that is the wrong thing to do.  Here are four of them.

Four reasons for taking your time when getting into the batter’s box.

When runners get the steal sign. 

I did a video a little bit ago where I explained how to take a proper lead at first base.  Click HERE for the video.  In the video I explained that far too many runners make one or both of the following mistakes – 1) they don’t take a big enough lead and/or 2) they don’t get their lead fast enough.  Although this is primarily seen as the runner’s responsibility, that doesn’t mean the batter is not involved at all.  If a runner gets the steal sign, the batter can/should take a little more time getting set in the box.  He can adjust his helmet and batting gloves.  He can do a little landscaping in the box.  He can do several other things too but the point is to allow the runner a bit more time to get a full lead and to get there in time.  I’ve seen many hitters not even wait to see all the signs from the coach and proceed to get right into the box to hit even when his teammate on base is still standing on the base watching the signs.  The pitcher starts his delivery and the runner has barely been able to take a lead and gets thrown out by 10 feet at second base.  The runner may ultimately get the blame but the hitter certainly didn’t help him much.  Slow down and give your runner a chance.

Foul ball on a 3-2 count with two outs. 

In this situation, runners may be automatically stealing on the pitch depending on what base(s) they are on.  They take off on a sprint only to see the batter foul off the pitch.  Runners, of course, will have to return to the base before the next pitch.  Some hitters completely lack the awareness to realize that runners on base in this situation will need some time to return and get a breather.  Many hitters just get right back in the box, completely unaware of the needs of the runner(s).  In this situation, hitters should get out of the box and take the time needed so that runners can return to their base AND have a moment to breathe and properly reset.

Your pitcher comes off the bases. 

One of the advantages of the designated hitter rule is that pitchers do not have to run the bases.  They won’t get hurt sliding and they can conserve their energy for pitching.  At the younger levels, however, pitchers are often some of the best hitters so they will almost always find their way into the batting order and on the basepaths.  This is where hitters need to help their pitchers out.  If a hitter finds himself batting sometime after the current pitcher, he must look for opportunities to give the pitcher a breather.  If your pitcher flies out to deep center and sprints almost all the way to 2nd base, take your good ‘ole sweet time getting up to the batter’s box.  Better yet, don’t leave the on-deck circle until he is back in the dugout.  This is the procedure if the pitcher has been on base as a runner for an extended period of time as well.  If he comes off before the third out, give him time to get off the field so he can relax for a moment before he has to go out and pitch again.

The other pitcher is in a quick rhythm. 

Pitch long enough and you will experience what it’s like being in a smooth rhythm on the mound.  It’s a thing of beauty.  Your pace and delivery go on auto-pilot and you stop thinking.  That is great for the pitcher.  Not so great for the hitters.  If a hitter notices that the opposing pitcher has gotten himself into a comfortable, consistent rhythm then he needs to do something to get him out of it.  Several things can be done but one of them is to alter the time it takes you to step into the batter’s box.  If the pitcher is benefiting from working quickly then take your time to slow him down.  (Note: This can work the other way too.  If he is benefiting from working slowly, get in the box more quickly.  The umpire will then probably tell the pitcher to speed it up.  If the pitcher is struggling because he is caught up in the moment and rushing, get in the box quickly and let him self-implode.  In general, pay attention to what the pitcher likes/needs and do the opposite.)

A player’s Baseball IQ will start to improve as soon as they realize that there is a lot more going on around them than they think.  Teach them the things listed above and they may never look at the game the same way again.  

And that probably would be a good thing.

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