Hitting Pitches in Different Locations

One of the biggest misconceptions in all of hitting is that we have to change our swing based on the location of the pitch. You’ll hear many coaches or instructors talk about pulling the hands in on an inside pitch or you may hear them discuss “going with” the outside pitch. What we have to keep in mind is what happens to the barrel when we do this and how that is going to effect your ability to maintain a proper bat path and repeat your mechanics.

As hitters our goal is to repeat proper mechanics as much as possible. However, if we continuously alter our mechanics based on pitch location then we won’t be consistent with our mechanics and won’t be able to have consistent success. Plus, any time we “pull the hands in” or try to “go with” the outside pitch our bat path is greatly effected. Both cause the barrel to drop and force us to drag the bat head through the hitting zone. Ironically our intent might be to shorten our path to the ball so that we don’t get jammed on the inside pitch but we are actually lengthening out our swing and creating that which we don’t want.

It’s important to understand that if you have good, sound swing mechanics and a sound bat path then you are capable of covering both the inside and outside parts of the plate by simply repeating your swing. The only change is where you make contact with the ball in relationship to your body. I always tell my hitters that all you want to do is recognize where the pitch is and then stay disciplined enough to maintain proper swing mechanics. When you recognize where a pitch is that just let’s you know where the hitting zone is going to be. On ann inside pitch the hitting zone will be farther out in front of your body then an outside pitch. Once you recognize where the pitch is you simply wait for the ball to get into the hitting zone and then you execute proper mechanics on the pitch. It really is that simple.

During your next BP round take your focus off of hitting the ball hard and focus on repeating your mechanics as often as you can. Recognize where the pitch is and then once it’s in the hitting zone focus on executing proper mechanics. Watch how consistently you drive the ball. If you can take this same approach into your game, not only will you hit the ball harder and farther but you will do so with greater consistency.