Hitter's Responsibilities While in the Dugout

The hitter should be preparing for his AB by gathering the following information while in the dugout waiting his turn at the plate. The more info you can gather prior to your AB, the more productive you will be as a hitter and base runner: 1. Check the pitcher's arm slot - is he over the top, side arm, 3/4 or submarine? 2. What pitch does the pitcher usually throw on his first pitch to the hitter? Is it usually a FB, breaking ball, slider or off-speed? 3. What does the pitcher usually throw when he's ahead in the count? 4. What does he throw when he's behind in the count? 5. How strong are the outfielder's arms? Can you run on them? 6. How well does the catcher throw? What's his POP time to second base? 7. What's the pitcher's release time from the stretch? 8. How good is the pitcher's move to first base? 9. Does the pitcher finish in a balanced position or does he fall off to the side? Is he susceptible to a bunt? 10. Do the middle infielders protect the second base bag with a runner on first base? If not, a delayed steal may be a possibility. 11. Does the catcher stay on his feet on throw backs to the pitcher or does he drop to his knees? Another opportunity for a delayed steal?

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Hitting Tip - 13

Bat speed can be increased by slightly turning the toe of the stride or front foot toward the back foot in a "pigeon toe" fashion. This action will encourage the heel of the stride foot to drop and thus assist the rotation of the hips. Make sure shoulders are still closed at stride foot strike.

Hitting Tip - 12

The back elbow should stay close to the body during the rotation phase of the swing. The hands should not prematurely move away from the body otherwise the hitter is "casting" causing a long swing, a hooking of the ball and an early rollover of the hands usually resulting in a weak ground ball to the pull side or a weak fly ball to the outfield.

Hitting Tip - 11

With the great hitters the back elbow, back hip and back knee stay connected and work together as if they were one. The hitter's hands lead the knob of the bat toward the inside of the baseball as the barrel follows creating a whipping action. See video of Albert Pujols above.

Hitting Tip - 10

If a batter intentionally or unintentionally opens or closes when he strides and prepares to hit, he is changing directions of his stride as he steps with his front foot. This will take him away from a direct line to the pitcher and will make it difficult for the hitter to square up the ball with the barrel of the bat. It is OK, however, to start with an open or closed stance as long as the stride takes the hitter directly toward the pitcher.

Hitting Tip - 9

The hitter must keep his head and eyes as still as possible during his stride so as to effectively see the ball and to be ready to hit. The front or stride foot should stay closed at foot strike and must land softly and on the ball of the stride foot. The heel of the stride foot should be driven into the ground at foot plant. The batter's stride should be short, straight, soft amd slow, but the stride foot must be down before starting the swing.

Hitting Tip - 8

When the hitter's stride foot lands, his hands should be in the slot or position his hands would be in ih was going to deliver a punch. The hands should be approximately 4 to 6 inches off the back shoulder or directly over the batter's back foot.

Hitting Tip - 7

You must go back before you can go forward and is often referred to as the "load". The object is to create momentum so you can attach the baseball. From your relaxed, balance stance shift your weight back toward the catcher, but keep your back knee inside your ankle. There are different ways that hitters create the load; Chipper Jones and Prince Fielder does a step back or "toe-tap"; Alex Rodriguez loads by exaggerating his leg lift; Albert Pujuls merely coils his front knee. You have to do something to get your weight to go back before you start your stride and move forward. Check the following YouTube video of the 2012 MLB Homerun Derby that's in slow motion and notice how these super stars get ready to hit.

Hitting Tip - 6

Get a good pitch to hit and hit it hard. Swing at a strike and crush it. You can't control if you hit a rocket directly at the shortstop or if the center fielder lays out and catches the ball you just smoked in the gap. All you can do is look for a quality pitch that you can handle and make solid contact. Do that and you've had a successful AB.

Hitting Tip - 5

Ideally,the hitter should stride directly toward the pitcher. If you start with either a closed or open stance, you must stride so your body becomes square to the plate and both cleats are parallel to home plate at toe touch.

Hitting Tip - 4

Good hitters grip the bat in their fingers next to the palm of the hand, not deep in the palm. The fingers allow the most powerfule grip and provide the most quickness, power and bat control. The middle or door knocking knuckles should be close to alignment.