I don't know about you, but when I played baseball I always heard coaches encouraging players to hit the baseball hard somewhere. Have you heard the same thing?
As time has gone by I now realize game to game you need to have all of your hitters do everything they can to hit the ball hard each at bat. Hitting the baseball hard gives your team the best chance to win. If you barely hit the ball it's quite easy for the opposing team to field it cleanly and throw you out.
Who wants innings like those? Three barely hit balls and three easy outs. That's not how we want to play the game. Even if you hit the ball hard at someone there's always the possibility that they'll make an error or not get to it in time, resulting in a base hit.
The Twins’ Tony Oliva once said that he was most successful when he hit the ball hard to all fields. That is exactly what you want to do. It doesn't matter where the ball is pitched. You must get solid contact no matter what. This will give you the best chance to get more hits and help your team win.
If hitting the baseball hard is what Major League players claim help them become successful, then I think we should try it too.
Friday, December 31, 2010
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I agree youth baseball coaches should encourage hitting the ball hard on the barrel of the bat. That is a really good feeling to hit the ball solid. The harder you hit the ball the less time infielders and outfielders have to go get it. And it maybe a real hard play to field and throw you out. Hitting instructors, coaches, teachers and mentors should always intruct players to hit the ball where it is pitched.
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