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Batting Average Is EVIL, We Will Focus on QAB Maintain Balance Throughout the Swing

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Batting Average Is EVIL, We Will Focus on QAB Maintain Balance Throughout the Swing Baseball U Maryland Hitting Philosophy Most important concepts: At the plate, we will be aggressive, unselfish and execute Batting Average is EVIL, We will focus on QAB Maintain balance throughout the swing Aptitude Capability: Eye and hand dominance Bat size: 32’-34’ Hitters have more control of the bat when it is in the fingers of the hand, not the palms of the hand. 3 Grips are acceptable 1. Knocking knuckles together 2. Quarter turn of knuckles 3. Knocking knuckle to middle knuckle A looser top finger = more bat control Weight balance: 1. 50/50 distribution in starting phase 2. 60/40 in phase one (weight transfer is back to gain momentum and balance) 3. Weight goes transfers in stages 3-5 Triggering of the hands -Trigger involves hands slightly moving back during phase one -Slight stride towards plate when triggering The jobs of a hitter: 1. Know the situation-DO YOUR JOB 2. Situations: a. Get on Base b. Move the runner over c. Score the runner 3. Hit the ball hard 4. Get your best cut (Don’t get cheated) 5. Maintain short swing through contact APPROACH a. Know the situation…Do your job (get on, get over, get in) b. Drive the ball (0-0, 1-0, 2-0, 3-1), spray the ball (0-1, 1-1, 2-1, 3-2), move the ball (0-2, 1-2, 2-2) c. Hunt FB early and often, look away…react in, simplify and compete i. 2 STRIKE APPROACH get up on plate, choke up, widen up Anthony Rizzo…Again…Joey Votto ***Hitting is a Conversation*** Swinging to wait rather that waiting to swing DEFINITION: Be ready to swing at all times. Be ready for any pitch and adjust. Always think fastball and adjust to offspeed pitches. Performance is better than result Everyone wants to get a hit every time, this is impossible. The best hitters in the Major Leagues get a hit 3/10 times. Be able to accept failure because it is going to happen. Try to hit every ball hard, rather than trying to hit 1.000. Most important stat: “A Quality At Bat” A “Quality At Bat” is defined as a hitter doing his job in the situation he arrives at. If he is asked to bunt and successfully bunts, this is a quality at bat. If a runner is on third, his job is to score him. If he is a leadoff hitter, he needs to get on base any way possible. A hitters On Base Percentage is often more valuable than his Batting Average. Focus on hitting every ball hard and if the fielder catches it let it be. NEVER BE DISSATISFIED WITH A LINE DRIVE THAT IS CAUGHT. Components of a Quality At Bat There are nine things that a player can do to get credit for QAB: 1) Hard Hit Ball 2) Walk 3) Hit By Pitch 4) Move Runner(s) with No Outs 5) Score Runner From 3rd with Fewer Than Two Outs 6) Base Hit 7) Six Pitch At-Bat Not Ending in a Strikeout 8) Nine Pitch At-Bat Even Ending in a Strikeout 9) Catcher’s Interference A Player’s best hitting coach is: HIMSELF Once a player can learn the basic fundamentals of hitting, he can teach himself. If the coach teaches proper techniques, the player can determine his faults through his results. Each player should know his strengths/weaknesses when he is hitting. GOING THROUGH THE LINE-UP HITTER BY HITTER #1 Hitter Usually a fast runner with a good eye. His job is to get on base. Hitter walks often. He sets the tone of every inning/game. By leading off the game, he lets his players see the pitcher. Can put the ball on the ground and beat it out. A contact hitter is a necessity. Once he arrives at first base, he needs to get a throw from the pitcher to show his teammates the move. Works deep into the count. #2 Hitter A playmaker: has great bat control. His job is often to bunt, hit & run or advance the runner otherwise. Outstanding contact hitter. Hitter has good eye and knows the strike zone. Hits line drives and makes things happen, often has some speed. A necessity is good bunting skills. Cannot be selfish and needs to be a team player. #3 Hitter The team’s best hitter. Can hit line drives at any count. The job of driving runners in is often left on his shoulders. Strikes out sometimes, but has power to all fields. Has to be aggressive and have confidence in himself. Knows the strike zone, can take the ball out of the park, or drive the ball to the gaps. Needs to know how to bunt, even though he is not often called on to do so. #4 Hitter The team’s most powerful hitter. Can take the ball out of the park at any count. Strikes out, but is capable of tying the score in one swing. Has much “POP” in his bat. Very Aggressive at the plate. #5 Hitter Similar to a number 4 hitter, but less consistent. Has much pop/drives the ball. Comes up with big hits. Strikes out but is very aggressive. Needs to know his role and not try to hit “BOMBS”. Can be inter-changed with the #4 hitter if one is struggling. Team leader. #6 Hitter A typical second #2 hitter. Has good bat control. Can run, a great bunter. Is less consistent than #2 hitter. Often his job is to advance runners. Can hit line drives and hit balls in the gaps. #7 Hitter A hitter who can help the team with his bat, but probably not his strong point. Is often called upon to bunt or hit/run. #8 Hitter Can be compared to the #7 hitter. Probably a strong fielder. Knows his ability and accepts his role. A positive player can bunt or hit/run. Often has speed and can bunt for a hit. #9 Hitter A second leadoff hitter. Hitters look at this position in the line-up as the place for a non hitter. I look at as a person who has wheels and gets on base. MUST be a good bunter. A base stealing threat. Through the course of the game, a hitter may bat in any order of the line-up Good players work hard at practice and play during the game Plate coverage and location in the box: The location in the box where the batter stands is the hitters choice. As long as he is comfortable. As a general rule of thumb: faster runners move up closer to the pitcher in case a bunting situation arises. Power hitters like to be in the back of the box. Most important though is to be consistent. Feet and Rhythm: The player should have feet slightly wider than shoulder width which allows for a stable base. The knees should be slightly bent. Starting in an neutral, open or closed stance is a matter of comfort. The player should arrive with the feet close to parallel as the stride foot lands. A rhythm needs to be established while in the box before each pitch. An example could be slightly moving the hands in a circular motion or tapping the bat softly on the back shoulder. Rhythm allows the hitter to gain momentum. Knowing your rhythm will allow you to be on time. Head: The positioning of the head is a matter of comfort. The player MUST be able to see the pitcher with both eyes before starting. Some players establish a “Pillow Head” where the head tilts. The head weighs 25-28 lbs. One key to hitting is balance. By tilting your head, the body will compensate in another area to maintain balance. “The Box” The box is referred to as the starting point of the swing. The box is formed by the forearm, upper arm, chest and bat. This box can be slightly stretched, but needs to be present during the hitting stage. The “BOX” does not open until the hands go down to contact. -Take the fastball away from the pitcher, ATTACK IT. -CARDINAL SIN OF HIGH SCHOOL BASEBALL: Swinging at a first pitch CB. -The philosophy is for a base foundation, but hitting styles differ with individuals. Pre-Ready: -Prior to entering the box, the hitter must know the situation: How many outs are there? Where are the baserunners? What is my job (Get on, Get ‘em over, Get ‘em in)? What sign might my coach give me? What type of pitcher am I facing? -Each time a hitter steps into the box, he must have a plan -While entering the box, the hitter should feel comfortable and confident so here is an example of how to enter: Foot-The hitter will start with entering the back foot first into the box to establish weight on the back side. From this, the hitter can still receive the sign without being in the box. Grip-The hitter will place the bat across the plate to check his grip. In the grip, the knocking knuckles will be lined up because this puts the hitter in a much stronger position when he gets to contact Head-The hitter will now pick up the pitcher with level eyesight. We are trying to avoid a “pillow head” approach. Hands and Front side-The hitter will now bring his hands and front side into the batters box, signifying he is now ready to hit. At this point, the arms/bat create “a box”.
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