A Solid Mental Approach
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| Introduction A good hitter is one who is multi-dimensional. This means he can change his approach as the situation changes. If you've been around the game enough you will know that the game situation can change every pitch. Therefore, each pitch may require a hitter to make an adjustment. The mental part comes from knowing when to make adjustments and what adjustments to make. The physical part is actually being able to make these adjustments and still have a productive at-bat. |
To many, this would be an at-bat that resulted in a hit and boosted the hitter's
average. Unfortunately, this mentality is indicative of a one-dimensional
attitude. Ask yourself the following question, " Which team wins the ball
game?" Answer: The team who scores the most runs. Without getting too
hitter needs to get on base. There's more than one way to get on base.
Anyways, I like to define a productive at-bat as one that results in your team
being in a better situation than they were when you stepped to the plate. This
can mean a lot of things:
1) You struck out, but the pitcher had to throw seven or more pitches to
strike you out. These pitches add up and eventually take their toll on the
opposing arm.
2) You drew a walk. Even better, it wasn't on four straight pitches. Once
again, pitches add up.
3) You got on base. Doesn't matter how you did it.
4) You moved a runner over. Doesn't matter how.
5) You brought a run in. Doesn't matter how.
6) You hit the ball square on the nose but got out. (This can make a
pitcher question his location and the stuff he has that day.)
Developing a Mental Approach
A good mental approach starts in the on-deck circle. As the count
changes to the hitter in front of you, the closer you should be to
determining what your situation may be. Therefore, when you finally step to
the plate, you are aware of the current game situation.
move him into scoring position. The first pitch to you is a passed ball
and the runner advances to second. You should now be looking to drive
in a run. However,if you get behind in the count, at the very least, you
Let's say that the hitter in front of you walked. You want to somehow .
This is an example of making adjustments during a single at-bat.
A good mental approach starts in the on-deck circle. As the count
changes to the hitter in front of you, the closer you should be to
determining what your situation may be. Therefore, when you finally step to
the plate, you are aware of the current game situation.
move him into scoring position. The first pitch to you is a passed ball
and the runner advances to second. You should now be looking to drive
in a run. However,if you get behind in the count, at the very least, you
Let's say that the hitter in front of you walked. You want to somehow .
This is an example of making adjustments during a single at-bat.
What are the Needed Tools?
This is where the physical element comes into play. It's one thing to
understand the game mentally, but being able to execute is another thing.
Below you will find some tools that will help you become a multi-
dimensional hitter.
All of these skills are obtainable through practice and drills.
This is where the physical element comes into play. It's one thing to
understand the game mentally, but being able to execute is another thing.
Below you will find some tools that will help you become a multi-
dimensional hitter.
- Knowing the strike zone.
- Being able to hit the ball on the ground.
- Knowing how to bunt.
- Hitting the ball the other way.
- Hitting with two-strikes.
All of these skills are obtainable through practice and drills.
| "YES, YES, ______!!!!" This phrase should be going through your mind as you prepare to hit a pitch. As you begin your trigger, begin to mentally state this phrase. The first two YES's confirm that you are in an aggressive mode ready to hit a good pitch. However, the pitch-type and location coupled with the situation at the time will determine whether the third cue will be a YES or a NO. Using this approach will help to conquer the habit of freezing up on good pitches and possibly limit the number of called third strikes as well. |
| Create a TUNNEL Can you think of a hitter who never seems to amaze you on how good of an "eye" he has? Ask yourself the following question, " Why do I swing at the bad pitches and he doesn't? Well, it could be that you are not working from the ground up and instead, jumping at the pitch. However, let's assume that's not the case Well, what's the answer? There is a good chance that your visual tunnel is way too large. Next time you're take batting practice see if you can see the shortstop or second baseman or even a fan along the outfield fence in plain sight. If so, your visual tunnel is way too big !! You are allowing your eyes to wander from place to place instead of locking them in. If anything, those fielders and fan mentioned above should be out of your main scope of vision and just a blur at the most. Your visual tunnel should begin at the top of the pitcher's throwing shoulder and continue to the hitting zone. Why the top of the throwing shoulder? When the pitcher breaks his hands and separates, you will now see the baseball above his throwing shoulder. This is the earliest possible time that you will actually see the ball in the pitcher's hand. The next thing that happens is his arm coming forward and releasing the pitch. It is impossible to pick up the ball any earlier than that. |
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