Hitting Tips – Baseball Swing Advice & How to Play Baseball by Jack Perconte

Remember, parents do not have to be a trained professional to advise baseball hitters. They actually need to know just some simple suggestions to be of help. Often times, the less things said, the better. I have mentioned 5 important baseball hitting lessons below. This helpful advice should be reinforced in a positive manner and applies for players of all ages, even major leaguers.

 Necessary Hitting Tips

 1. Good balance is a key for everything in baseball, so reinforce the term “balance” to the baseball hitter whenever they seem to be off balance, out of control or taking their eye off ball.

  2. As often as possible, perform quality batting tee work, or flip drill work, before batting practice begins. Quality is apparent when the hitter hits line drives on the sweet spot of the bat in the direction of where the ball is pitched, or located on the tee. A pitched ball will help the hitter’s timing but drill practice, done correctly, will improve the hitter’s fundamentals. In the long run, cutting back on regular batting practice and doing more good drill work will pay off. Using a lighter bat than normal or using aluminum instead of wood will allow the hitter to save strength, and be able to work longer at their fundamentals.

3. When a batter is in the on deck circle and swinging to loosen up, teach them to practice swinging the bat to different locations. Most hitters take their practice swings in the exact same groove, time after time and then have trouble hitting balls that are not in their groove. Many hitters also swing a heavy bat when on-deck, which tends to slow the swing and tire the muscles. A few swings with the heavy bat are ok, but using the on deck circle to observe the pitcher and practice swinging to different pitch locations would be better use of the time.

4. The hands of the hitter should be the first area of the body to get tired when swinging. When the player’s hands begin to weaken, have the hitter take a break or wait for another day to work on their hitting. If another area of the hitter’s body gets tired first, then the hitter’s swing probably need adjusting.

5. The following are great baseball swing advice that anyone can use and tips that will make you sound like you know what you are talking about. “See the ball”,” stay back”, “use your hands”, “track the ball to contact”, and ”stay balanced.”

  Finally, the common saying “if it ain’t broke, there’s nothing to fix” is important to remember. When a player is having success, and in a good groove, let them ride it out, practicing just enough to stay sharp. Often I have seen where players practice themselves out of a good groove. Hitters should save their heavy work for the times when they are struggling with their swing or confidence.