whats your approach when your at the plate

[baseball2234]

you just get up to the plate, pitchers getting the catchers signs...what do you think about? for me i just say Line drive and hit the ball up the middle, which i think works because anything a little outside or inside my body will go with it and around the middle just take it right back...prevents pulling out on outside pitches and that stuff. What do you guys think about?

[Williamsburg2599]

Mine is different every time. During scrimmages or practice, I'm usually just thinking about a particular mechanic I've been working or just up there thinking about having fun. During a game, I'm usually thinking about what pitch is coming or what I need to do with the ball, or again, mechanics. During pressure situations, I'm usually doing all of the above times 3, but right before the pitch comes, my mind quiets down, sorta of like that
"Tiger Woods commerical" (http://http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2PjpL-u68MI)(Of course it doesn't sound so cool in my head;))

[natsnsoxfan]

dont swing at a bad pitch

[Richmond Hill Phoenix]

Generally, I'll try to clear my head. I'll think about what I have to do with the ball while on-deck and while walking up to the plate. Once I'm there, I'll try to clear my mind and focus on the ball and just hitting it.

I'll swing my bat back and forth and focus on my breathing to get relaxed, and then focus on my timing while the pitcher is winding up.

[cubsphill]

it depends on the pitcher
if the pitcher is one who mixes speed with control, i look for the first fastball i see in the zone and jump on it...hard
if the pitcher throws quite a bit of fastballs or isnt too accurate, ill just wait for my pitch

as for what i try to do with the ball, i try to hit it hard into the gaps unless i have a certain assignment given by the coach. usually if a guy is onbase, and hes gotten the steal sign, we can hit the ball if its a good pitch so ill hit it on the ground, maybe it gets through a hole and the guy scores...

[TG Coach]

you just get up to the plate, pitchers getting the catchers signs...what do you think about? for me i just say Line drive and hit the ball up the middle, which i think works because anything a little outside or inside my body will go with it and around the middle just take it right back...prevents pulling out on outside pitches and that stuff. What do you guys think about?

Your approach should be completely dependent on the game situation, your knowledge of the pitcher, your skills, what you saw of the skills in the field (because you paid attention when they took fielding) and where the corners positions themselves. It should all be determined before you step in the box. Then stop thinking, react.

[Richmond Hill Phoenix]

It should all be determined before you step in the box. Then stop thinking, react.That's exactly what I try to do. Just relax and hit what's given to you.

[Braves Fan 24]

During practice I try and fix the little things in my swing, always tweak to make it better. During the games I sometimes try and guess what pitch is coming, usually in situations that it's predictable, other than that I think about just putting the ball in play.

[wogdoggy]

all you should think is....Give me a good one sucker!If your thinking about mechanics and stuff you worked on in practice your dead walking into the box in my opinion:twocents:

[turnin2]

as a hitter, i tried to keep things simple. here's something i found i like that i use with my kids now...

Plan on being aggressive. Aggressiveness is a key element to hitting successfully, and it can cover up apparent weaknesses. Besides, the aggressive hitter simply has to decide one thing only at the plate: not to swing. What I mean by that is when you're thinking "swing" as the pitcher delivers the ball, if the pitch isn’t hittable, then all you have to decide is not to swing.
2) Plan on hitting the ball up the middle of the field. Consistent hitters with high batting averages always tend to use the middle of the field. You can be successful being strictly a push- or a pull-hitter, but you give away some of the advantage to the pitcher, because they can simply pitch to your weaker side.
3) Plan on controlling the outside half of the plate. Studies have shown that nearly three quarters of all pitches in the strike zone are over the outside half of the plate, especially in youth baseball. Take advantage of that information and control the outer half of the plate. Then, if you need to, gradually work from an area of the strike zone that you can control to an area where you have less control.
4) Plan on pulling the inside pitch, pushing the outside pitch, and hitting the down-the-middle pitch back up the middle. Take the pitch where it comes and go with it. If you're thinking "pull" and the pitch is delivered outside, you're going to have a much harder time getting that hit, and you'll probably ground out to a middle infielder. So, pull the inside pitch, push the outside pitch, and crush the down-the-middle pitch back up the middle.
5) Plan on the next pitch being over the middle of the plate and up in the strike zone. Then, make adjustments from that basic pitch. It's easier to adjust down than it is up, and you'll hit fewer pop-ups when you adjust down. If you're looking for a ball over the middle of the plate, you won't have as far to adjust if the pitch is inside or outside. However, if you're looking in, then you've got a larger adjustment to make if the pitch is outside.
6) Plan on hitting the fastball. Make every effort to hit the fastball, because it's easier to hit than the curveball, and you'll hit it better than you will the curveball anyway.


also,is understanding situations, if you know what needs to get done in each situation it makes your job easier. know the situation with runners on and the outs, where the MI are, who's holding, etc. have a nice piece i'll share.

[cosmo34]

Good swings.
Good pitch to hit.

That is it. Don't think about results. If you take a good swing on a good pitch, the results will speak for themselves.

I had a long talk with Orsino Hill about approach at the plate, and that is something that we both agreed upon..

[ja7369]

i tell my guys to always think outside and be ready to drill the inside pitch,,, you have to have quick hnds

[wogdoggy]

Good swings.
Good pitch to hit.

That is it. Don't think about results. If you take a good swing on a good pitch, the results will speak for themselves.

I had a long talk with Orsino Hill about approach at the plate, and that is something that we both agreed upon..



I'm with you! goods swings on a good pitch..Perfect for any age group!:highfive: