Anyone that has ever played the game understands the feeling of struggling at the plate.  It is amazing how big the ball looks when you are hitting the ball well and how it looks like an aspirin when you are struggling.  Well, unfortunately every player will get a chance to experience one of those “temporary setbacks”.  You notice that I am very careful about using the word “slump”.  It just does not sound good and as a coach - I try to never use it!  It is like any negative thought - the more you think about it, the worse it gets.  I would like to suggest some ideas on how to return our mind set to a confident, productive approach to hitting.

            Many players feel that when they are struggling at the plate, it has to be a mechanical problem.  Most young hitters are very quick to hit the panic button.  I personally feel it usually is a lack of physical and mental balance.  Any good hitter would agree that there are some key elements in the physical mechanics of the swing that must be in place to achieve success at the plate.  I also believe that the mental approach to hitting can also become a factor if our self-talk becomes negative and we lack confidence.  The best solution in dealing with those “temporary setbacks” is to address both elements to assure balance and to have an understanding of the built in barriers of the game.

            Young hitters must remind themselves that hitting a round object with another round object is not always easy.  The best hitters in the game today are successful 3 out of 10 times.  This means that you are unsuccessful 7 out of 10 times.  I would hate to have our best brain surgeon be considered good if they were successful 3 out of 10 surgeries.  The point I am trying to make is the sooner you realize the complexity of the skill, the better you can tolerate those 7 unsuccessful at bats mentally.  As a hitter, you have a choice of what you think about - I hope you would chose to think about the successful at bats!       

            There are no quick fixes in this game and you must remember that it is a game of averages.  Having the awareness and proper mind set can allow you to perform much more consistently and keep those “temporary setbacks” to the minimum.  Learn to deal with this aspect of hitting because as long as you put a uniform on, you will have an opportunity to face this challenge! The following are some guidelines and suggestions to help you deal with your next challenge:

Physical Factors:

1.       Mechanics

2.       Timing

3.       Visual

1.         Mechanics:

• Is your stance comfortable, allowing you a good two-eye look at the pitcher?
• Are you arriving to a good hitting position (Toe Touch) easily and with consistency?
• Are you able to stay inside the ball and hit through a long zone?
• Are your hands in a strong and efficient position as you arrive at toe touch?
• Are you able to release the barrel vs. pushing the barrel?

2.         Timing:

• Are you arriving to a good hitting position on time?  Are you early or late?
• Are you in rhythm with the delivery of the pitcher?  When the pitcher starts, you must start- when the pitcher is ready to pitch – you must be ready to hit!
• Are your movements smooth and continuous?

3.         Vision

• Assure proper head position – “two eye look”
• See the ball out of the pitchers hand - follow to the

                  hitting zone. “nose to the ball”

• Track the ball with both your eyes and head to the contact point.
• Judge your At Bat on how well you are seeing the ball!
• Do not over swing! Stay Smooth and effortless!

                        “See it - Track it- Smash it”

Mental Factors:

1.       Relaxation

2.       Positive Self-talk

3.       Proper Preparation to Hit

4.       Aggressive Approach

5.       Constructive Evaluation

• Muscular tightness and poor breathing patterns result from feelings of fear, anxiety and tension.  Concentration is also affected which can result in visual problems.  Softball is a game of relaxed skills!
• The “I gotta/I’m gonna” self-talk can produce a state of tightened muscles and interferes with the message sent to the hitters visual system.

• Preparation begins in the dugout:
• What type of pitches does she throw?
• Does she have a good off speed pitch?
• What does she throw to get ahead?
• How did she pitch me in my last at bat?
• What is her out pitch

• Pitchers can sometimes become a creature of habit! Look for patterns!

• An aggressive approach can begin with not looking for a good pitch to hit, instead anticipate that every pitch will be a good pitch.  This approach will allow you to stay in a ready state and as I always say “find a reason why not to swing at a pitch!” 

• When evaluating your at bats, build success upon hitting the ball hard, seeing the ball well vs. getting a base hit.  If you become consistent at hitting the ball hard, you will get your share of hits!

Other Suggestions:

1.         Go back to the basics to get a good feeling!

            -           Batting Tee

            -           Head on Toss

            -           Throwing drills!

 Most hitters have one or two drills that help them get the proper    

              feel and rhythm of their swing.

2.         Correct Poor Timing

            -           Live Batting Practice

            -           Head on Toss

            -           Bounce Toss

3.         See the Ball  (Tracking)

            -           Make hitters hit to opposite field

            -           Off centered B.P.

            -           Tracking pitches against live pitching.

4.         Trust your swing!

Until next month,

Coach Candrea