Hitting Timing
Video Highlights
0:10 How timing affects where the ball is hit.
0:18 How hand position detemines where the ball will go.
0:46 How pitch speed affects hitting.
1:19 How allowing the hand to get outside or in front of the ball leads to pulling the ball.
2:15 How moving up in the batter's box helps hitter stay inside the ball.
2:48 How making adjustments to when the batter contacts the ball allows them to hit where they want.
VIDEO TRANSCRIPT
HOw timing affects where the ball is hit
Video describes how timing affects hitting and how hitting inside allows batter to pull the ball, drive it to the middle or going to the off field.
HOw hand position determines where the ball will go
Staying inside allows batter to drive the ball up the middle or to the off field. When the barrel gets in front of the hands and goes around the ball, that's when the batter develops a pull. Adjusting the hands allows the batter to go to the off field.
how pitch speed affects hitting
It's easier to speed up the bat to adjust to the pitcher than to have to slow down. That's why hitters will often struggle with a slow pitcher since it's harder to slow the swing down. It's easier to adjust to a faster pitcher.
How allowing the hand to get outside or in front of the ball leads to pulling the ball
It's common to pull the baseball when the hands get in front of the body since the hands start rolling over too soon.
How moving up in the batter's box helps hitter stay inside the ball
Moving up in the box forces the batter to stay inside the baseball since the contact point is further back. It is very hard to get around the baseball as long as the contact point stays behind the hitter. The focus should be on keeping the hands inside and driving the ball straight.
How making adjustments to when the batter contacts the ball allows them to hit where they want
By extending the hands even farther out, the hitter can drive the ball more to the off field. The batter is not changing his swing, just the position of his hands on the bat. Remind the player to be in control of what he is doing.