Batting Weaknesses and Cures

Overstriding - difficult to overcome, have the hitter assume a wide stance and suggest keeping the weight back. Have the hitter point the front foot at the pitcher. Practice off the tee without stepping until the hitter gets comfortable then move to live or soft tossed balls. The key is to learn a subtle weight shift shift from the back foot to the front foot. An over strider has trouble shifting their weight properly and staying back.

Hitching - occurs when the batter moves the hands in a downward movement instead of back when the pitch is delivered. Try to have the hitter rest the bat on their shoulder and lift the hands up slightly as the pitch it delivered. Also, try to have the hitter raise the back elbow as the pitch is delivered. Hitching when not corrected creates a lot of early movement by the hitter and therefore it can be difficult to catch up to pitches. Again tee work should be utilized with a 50-60 percent swing.

Uppercutting - occurs when the batter swings the bat with an upward plane. It can be corrected by placing more weight on the front foot and trying to drive the ball out front and down slightly. Try to get on top of the ball. Try lowering the front shoulder to a neutral position and finish the swing with the barrell of the bat in the middle of the back. Tee work should focus on hitting the ball slightly down utilizing varying tee heights.

Head Turning or Pulling off the ball - usually occurs with a pulling off the pitch or flying open with the front shoulder. Practice by having the batter drive pitches to right field and keeping the head down. Pick a spot down the right field line in front of the plate for a right handed hitter (vica versa for a left handed hitter) that their nose should be pointed to after contact. It helps keep the head on the ball and forces the batter to focus on keeping their head on the ball. With the tee focus on hitting balls with the head down and pointing to a spot after contact. Think chin shoulder to shoulder during the swing

Stepping in the Bucket - occurs when the batter steps toward the third baseline for a right handed hitter (vica versa for a left handed hitter). Teach the hitter to step to the pitcher and keep their head in there. Practice by having the hitter drive balls to right field on the outside part of the plate. Make sure the hitter is set up with a proper distance off the plate. If possible move this hitter away from the plate to have them step into each pitch. Explain they just need to be quicker on the inside pitch and hit the pitch out front.

Cannot hit Curve Balls - occurs usually when the batter reacts to quickly without recognizing the pitch. When hitting the curveball the hitter needs to wait longer and keep the facing shoulder facing the pitcher as long as possible. Curveballs should be driven to right field unless they are inside. Keep the hands back, do not over stride, wait as long as possible an drive the ball to right field as a general rule.

Cannot hit Change of Speeds - change of speed is recognized as the pitch is en route to the plate. Again as with the curveball which is a change of speed pitch for the most part, think hitting this pitch to right unless it is inside. Practice by mixing pitches up in batting practice. Focus on pitch recognition and driving the ball to right.