The basics of a hitting stride

Curve ball adjustment – another option

I’m watching a game on TV the other night and the announcers are discussing one of the pitcher’s curveball and how he gets a lot of batters to swing and miss by throwing it in the dirt.  The discussion led to a common adjustment that batters are told to make in order to combat this […]

The safety squeeze

A little while back I did a five part series of posts on the suicide squeeze.  As I stated, I’m a big fan of the play but I do realize that the play can be risky.  Many things on the offensive side have to be timed and executed correctly.  Of course, anything that happens on […]

Be on time in fastball counts!

If you have coached for any length of time, there are probably a couple of things that really annoy you.  Enough to drive you nuts.  Usually they are things you say to your players over and over yet still see players do. Albert Pujols, right on time!Never be late on a fastball in a fastball […]

The suicide squeeze – Part 4: The mechanics

Squaring your feet up to the pitcher isan option for a normal sacrifice bunt … Although the squeeze play is hard to defend against once it has been properly put into motion, the batter still has to get the bunt down and the runner still has to travel 90 feet to score.  Easier said than […]

The Suicide Squeeze – Part 3: The timing

I mentioned in Part 1 that I believe the suicide squeeze to be a great weapon for an offense because it is almost impossible to defend against once the play is in motion.  The biggest reason for this is the timing involved.  If both the runner and the batter time their actions properly, all the […]

The Suicide Squeeze – Part 2: Giving & receiving the sign

In Part 2 of the suicide squeeze, I begin to present many of the “how’s” so that players and coaches can execute the play more successfully.  Initially, I had planned on a two part post on the squeeze play but to be completely thorough I decided to divide it up into several separate posts.  Today, […]

The suicide squeeze – Part 1: The why’s and when’s

At the college and professional levels, you don’t see many squeeze plays.  However, I have noticed more of them on MLB highlight shows so maybe it’s returning to fashion.  Tampa Bay Rays manager Joe Madden recently put on two squeeze plays on back-to-back batters!  I love it!  I have found the squeeze play to be […]

Which eye is dominant?

Which of your eyes is dominant? When you watch MLB games on TV, you probably will notice that it’s not uncommon for many of the hitters to have somewhat of an open stance in the batter’s box.  Of course, some are more pronounced than others.  Young hitters are rarely taught to have an open stance […]

Talking hitting

I think it’s safe to say that Adrian Gonzalez has worked out well for the Boston Red Sox.  He may have been able to fly under the radar in San Diego but he certainly is not going to sneak up on any American League team now.Before the MLB All Star break, Peter Gammons was interviewed […]

Bat label up and bat label down

This time of year, it’s not unusual to hear a player say that his bat is feeling a bit heavier.  The drain of the long season is kicking in.  The heat and humidity take its toll as well.  Many hitters, even at the major league level, will experience this and may choose to change to […]

Hitting behind a runner at first base (Part 2)

In Part 1, I explained the “why?” when it comes to hitting behind a runner at first base with no outs.  Now we’ll focus on the “how.”Left-Handed Batters.Obviously, for a left handed batter, this strategy is much simpler because all the batter must try to do is pull a ball through the right side.  Although […]

Hitting behind a runner at first base (Part 1)

A runner is on first base with no outs.  The next batter swings at the first strike and smokes a pitch into left field for a base hit.  The crowd and his teammates cheer, the batter is happy that his average went up a couple points, and some old timers in the stands shake their […]

Practice vs "Deliberate" Practice

Batter #1: 100 swings off a tee (1 hour total)60 swings on a ball set up down the middle, waist high20 swings with the ball set up thigh-high inside20 swings with the ball set up thigh-high outside. Josh Hamilton and a batting tee. Batter #2: 60 swings off a tee (40 minutes total)5 free swings […]

Long-Tee Drill

Like most coaches, I’m a big fan of the batting tee.  I think it is by far the best invention known to baseball. Unfortunately, it’s probably the most underused invention as well, particularly for younger players who sometimes feel that if it’s not live pitching, it’s not worth doing.  What a shame. Access to a […]

When does the stride foot land?

I recently got a question from a reader asking about when the stride foot should be landing in order to be ready to hit a hard fastball.  It’s a good question because many young hitters have trouble with this aspect of hitting.  Some just don’t seem to be getting the front foot down in time […]

Staying within your stance

Chipper Jones:  Staying within his stancefrom start to finish with little head movement Greg Gross, the hitting coach for the Philadelphia Phillies, had a short clip on a pre-game Phillies show about a basic hitting tip he gives to players of all ages.  He called it “staying within your framework” but I’ll call it “staying […]

Bunt delay

  Being a little slower out of the batter’s box mightjust keep the catcher back long enough to move a runner on a bad bunt.(Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)  A  batter squares to sacrifice bunt.  The ball is bunted about a foot or two in front of the plate.  The catcher pounces on it […]

The push-bunt (Part 2)

In Part 1 of the push-bunt, I talked about the value of a push-bunt for right handed hitters over a traditional base hit bunt down towards third base.  Today I list and explain the mechanics of the push-bunt so that players can do it more effectively. Before getting into any of the specifics of how […]

The push-bunt (Part 1)

When a right handed batter bunts for a base hit, you’ll usually see him direct the bunt down the third base line.  There are a number of situations that call for this kind of bunt and a variety of little things associated with doing it correctly.  What you don’t see much of at any level […]

Putting runners in motion

Aggressive base running is a valuable weapon for any offense.  Putting runners in motion in all its forms puts a lot of pressure on a defense because they are forced to deal with multiple things at the same time – throwing, covering bases, chasing and fielding grounders, pop-ups, etc.  The more things you make a […]

The mini tee

The Schutt Tee In yesterday’s post called hitting the low pitch, I mentioned that exaggerating the low pitch when you train is a great way to improve.  Practicing getting to a pitch correctly at your shins makes a pitch at the knees not look so difficult anymore.  The problem with this is, how does a hitter practice […]

Hitting the low pitch

If you want to keep moving up, youbetter learn how to handle this pitch. Every now and then I get a laugh from a TV baseball announcer when he says “this guy is a good low-ball hitter.”  Although some guys are certainly better at it than others, there is more to that story.  As you […]

"Puppet" or the "Puppeteer?"

One of my posts was included in a recent newsletter by the Clell Wade Coaches Directory.  Along with my article was an piece written by a former teammate of mine in the minor leagues who is now coaching at Mississippi State University.  In his article which you can access HERE, Coach Cohen mentioned that he […]

Batting order roles

Below is a chart that indicates the ideal roles, expectations, and priorities for each batter in the line-up.  Of course, a manager is going to be limited to the talent he has on the team and most likely will not have a hitter in each spot who is capable of achieving all that is expected. […]

Tips for gripping a bat

Ichiro Suzuki.  Knuckles aligned. How a batter holds the bat is one thing that a lot of players overlook when addressing problems with hitting.  I think that it is assumed that hitters just know how to do it.  Sometimes a minor adjustment in the grip can go a long way to improve contact and overall […]

Two strike adjustments (Part 2)

Yesterday’s post dealt with the physical adjustments a batter should make when he is in a two strike situation.  Today, I list the mental adjustments all hitters should consider making. Mental adjustments: Expand your strike zone.  This adjustment goes back to the saying “never allow the umpire to take the bat out of your hands.”  A hitter […]

Two strike adjustments (Part 1)

In my post called Cardinal Sins of Baseball: Offense, I mentioned a number of times something that drives me nuts.  Called third strikes.  I was raised to believe that under no circumstances should a hitter take a called third strike.  Period.  End of story.  No exceptions.   Of course, hitting is not easy and sometimes the umpire will just […]

Point of contact: Procedure v Technique

If you are an avid baseball fan you can probably tell who the players are in the photos below if you look carefully.  Check and see. Photo #1 Photo #2 Photo #3 Even if you had no idea who was in the photos, would you be able to tell which one was the world’s best […]

Hitting: Power and Grace

Twins catcher, Joe Mauer Think of some swings that are/were just beautiful to watch.  For me, I think of Ken Griffey Jr., Adrian Gonzalez, Ted Williams, Albert Pujols, and Joe Mauer.   I also think of Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson in golf.  What makes them beautiful is that all their swings have the combination of power and grace.  […]

Track the ball to the catcher

In a previous post called Off-season Hitting: An overlooked Drill I talked about the advantages of standing in when pitchers are throwing indoors or in the bullpen.  One tip I recommended while doing it was to follow the ball all the way back to the catcher’s mitt.  This allows the hitter the ability to see any late […]

The Stubborn Hitter – a short story

Once upon a time on a field far, far away there was a hitter who was very stubborn.  The boy hit mile-high pop-ups.  One after another. They soared high up into the clouds … and always landed for outs. The coaches all tried to intervene.  The boy wanted nothing of it. They searched far and […]

How to hit (take!) a curve ball

I get a lot of questions related to hitting asking for tips on how to hit a curve ball.  As players get older, pitchers certainly are going to throw more than just a fastball so all hitters have to be prepared – physically and mentally – to handle curve balls and other breaking pitches. That […]

Hitting: "Looking" vs "Guessing"

After a big home run, you have probably heard a Major League hitter interviewed and say “I was looking for a fastball and got one.”  You may have also heard an announcer say after a bad swing/miss or a called third strike, “it appeared the batter was guessing on that pitch.”    Good hitters occasionally will “look” […]

The importance of repeating yourself

White Sox pitcher Chris Sale(Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) The other day I am watching the MLB Network (surprise!) and they are doing an analysis of the Chicago White Sox during their 30 Teams in 30 Days Tour.  They spent a bit of time on a young pitcher named Chris Sale who was drafted in […]

Indoor Hitting Drills

Yesterday’s post dealt with some indoor practice tips.  Below are some drills specific for those hitting stations that allow you to maximize the time and space available.  Of course, these tips and drills are also great for individual players who are looking for ways to improve their hitting when they are stuck indoors at home.Hitting drills for […]

Hitting: Five stages of focus

In a couple posts this week titled “Don’t think, you’ll hurt the ballclub!” (Part 1 and Part 2) I wrote about the fact that many players think about the wrong things at the wrong time for the wrong amount of time.  I then offered some tips or strategies to allow players to improve in these […]

The power of a routine

Most players at the major league level have rituals or some sort of routine they go through prior to games.  Some might put on their uniform the same way everyday.  Others might eat at the same times on game days.  Hall of Famer Wade Boggs was famous for his pre-game rituals.  Although some might scoff […]

Hitting and making adjustments

Yesterday (Feb. 18) in the Philadelphia Inquirer, Phillies second baseman Chase Utley was interviewed and asked a number of questions about last season as well as the one that’s approaching.  A few things he said can be very informative to hitters.  In my opinion, what he said especially applies to those who work with private instructors.  […]

Cardinal Sins of Baseball (Part 2) – Offense

Yesterday it was Cardinal Sins on defense.  Today it’s offense! Click HERE to go to a site thatsells t-shirts with this design! Taking a called third strike, especially with runners in scoring position.  Probably the thing that aggravates me the most as a coach. Missing a sign from a coach. Swinging at the first pitch […]

Hitting: Watch the middle infielders

Paying attention to these two guys cansometimes pay off big for hitters.(Photo by Post406) In a couple previous posts, one for shortstops and one for third basemen, I mentioned the need to adjust positioning based on the batter and what pitch was being thrown.  As a hitter though, sometimes you can notice these adjustments if […]

Sacrifice bunting – square up for success

Spring training is right around the corner for pitchers and catchers in the Major Leagues.  There are many things I love about this and one of them is you start to see photos and video clips of baseball again.  Since the pitchers arrive first, many of the pictures show bullpen sessions, drills like covering first […]

Off-season hitting – an overlooked drill

This time of year, hitters are gearing up for the upcoming season probably by focusing on their hitting mechanics and taking a ton of swings.  One valuable drill that tends to be overlooked is standing-in on pitchers.  “Standing-in” involves a hitter standing in the batters box and doing everything they normally would do during an at-bat except […]

Batting stance – the importance of a good base

**Sorry, I believe some of the pictures did not appear correctly.  Hopefully it works now. ** When teaching hitting, I’m a believer in taking a ground up approach.  That is, start with the feet and gradually move up.  It really won’t matter how strong the player is or how quick his hands are unless his […]

Batting tee drills … that don’t involve hitting!

The batting tee is my pick for the Worlds Greatest Baseball Training Invention Award.   …and not just for hitting!  Here are some other uses: Shortstop – Across the Bag Drill: One of the mistakes that I mentioned in the shortstop mistakes post was that many shortstops unnecessarily catch a double play feed directly over the […]

My favorite bunting drill

I mentioned in a post about hitting mistakes that many good high school and college hitters fail to set aside time to practice with the future in mind.  I noted that players that keep moving up beyond high school and college tend to hit in the 3, 4, or 5 spot in the batting order.  Because […]

Hitting Mistakes

A wide, strong foundationby Albert Pujols. The 10th of 12 posts related to common mistakes players make by position. Poor foundation. When instructing hitters, many coaches take a “ground up” approach.  This means nothing is worked on until a batter has created a good, strong foundation with his feet.  In sports, the “athletic position” is […]

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