Unfortunately we have all been conditioned to focus on our batting average or how many hits we got in a particular game to determine our level of success for that day or that particular season. The problem is that there are so many variables that go into the getting or not of hits that basing your success on simply getting hits could get frustrating. It’s important that we focus on the bigger picture. That our goals are bigger then just getting hits. So what are some of these variables and how do they impact our ability to get hits?You Are Facing a Pitcher
Many times my hitters will take and “0 for” and immediately want to change something or think that since they didn’t get a hit that something must be wrong and they must work harder or find the “flaw” before the next game. Many times this way of thinking actually creates the flaws we believe are there. You need to keep in mind that just because you didn’t get a hit doesn’t necessarily mean there is something wrong. Why? Because there is another player standing 60 feet away that is doing everything he can to not allow you to get a hit. Sometimes we forget that we are competing, we forget that we are playing in a game where there is an opponent and not just hitting off the tee or in the batting cage. There is a pitcher out there who is in complete control. He knows what he is going to throw you and where. He has the luxury of knowing what pitch is about to be thrown. You don’t! Sometimes the pitcher pitches you great, sometimes he throws you a great pitch. Whatever the case maybe this doesn’t mean there is something wrong. It just means the pitcher did his job and got you out. We need to understand that this is part of the game and focus on the next at-bat so we put ourselves in a situation that gives us the best opportunity to succeed.
You May Have Not Faced Live Pitching in a While
Inevitably every year when a new season rolls around I get a bunch of frustrated players who are upset that they are not getting hits from day 1. We need to remember that it is very difficult to take time off and still be in peak form when you come back to playing games. It is counter productive to be upset over the fact that you aren’t getting hits early on in a season or in your first couple of games. This is one big reason why MLB has spring training. Hitters need to be able to get acclimated to seeing live pitching again. Most of the hitters that are all over 95 mph fastballs during the season are way behind 85 mph fastballs in spring training. Plus you really don’t see them get too upset or frustrated when they make an out or strike out during spring training. They understand that it takes at-bats and time to be able to get into peak condition. Some of them aren’t even ready at the start of the season and they probably already had 100-150 at-bats during spring training. So how can you expect to be at the top of your game at at-bat number 1?
Where You Hit in the Line Up or in a Game Situation
One of the things I hear all the time is parents and players making arguments for why their son should be starting over another player because their batting average is a lot higher or they got a couple of hits while the other guy struck out. Keep in mind that where you bat in the line up or where you bat during the course of a game makes a difference in the pitches you see. Your number 3 hitter is pitched differently then your number 9 hitter. If you come into a blow out game or pinch hit in a 2 outs bases empty situation chances are you are going to get easier pitches to hit. Maybe you lucked out and faced an easier pitcher or maybe you faced the league’s best pitcher while your back up faced some joker. The point is coaches look at other things to determine who the best player is and not just stats. They see body language, your approach, the soundness of your swing, your plate discipline, the pitches you swung at, the pitches you took, etc., etc., etc. If you’re in a situation where you are battling for a spot don’t do the math. Don’t watch the other guy and assume that since he is getting more hits than you or that you are getting more hits then him then that means he or you is going to win the spot. Instead, focus on what you can control. Put yourself in the best position possible to succeed by eliminating anything that would detract you from your success.
So What Should Determine Your Level of Success
As I am sure you know by now (if you’ve read any of my other blogs) I believe that the best thing to focus on is having a “Quality At-bat”. But more than that you should focus on achieving mastery over yourself as a baseball player. Mastery over your physical mechanics, mastery over you mind, mastery over your approach, and mastery over your emotions. Look at each at-bat as an opportunity to improve both as a hitter and as a baseball player. See your opponent as a needed piece of the puzzle that is constantly pushing you to be better. Focus on what you can control, your preparation, your approach, and taking good mechanically sound swings at hittable pitches. Anything beyond that is beyond your control and worrying about it only takes you away from your development.
There are many reasons for getting or not getting hits. Sometimes you get lucky. You take a terrible swing at a poor pitch and it finds a hole. Sometimes you do everything correctly and hit the ball right at somebody. In either scenario basing your success on whether or not you got a hit would be counter productive. The athlete who got the hit would think everything is okay and even though it wasn’t. His belief that he’s fine because he got the hit stifles his development. Similarly the athlete who got out will stifle his development by searching for “what’s wrong”. Do yourself a favor and don’t base your success on whether or not you got a hit. Focus on improving and seeing everything we do on the field as a learning opportunity.
