Why Can't You Hit the Ball When Batting? Tips and Recommended Practice Methods!
If you have experience playing baseball, you've probably struggled with not improving your batting. When you watch professional baseball, it looks easy to hit singles and home runs, but that's only achieved through effort and skill.
This time, we'll explain why you might not be hitting the ball and introduce tips and practice methods to help you make contact. Let's practice to improve your skills and aim to become a player who can perform well in games.
[About the Author of this Blog]
Minoru Hirohata, CEO of Amazing Co., Ltd., commonly known as Minolman
Played for Hirakata Boys - Osaka Toin High School - Asia University - and the strong team JR Tokai.
Won the Giants Cup and served as captain at Osaka Toin, also experienced winning the Meiji Jingu Tournament.
As a pioneer in baseball instruction, he boasts over 200,000 followers on YouTube and Instagram.
Reasons for Not Hitting the Ball in Batting
Many people think that not hitting the ball is due to poor timing. However, timing is not the only cause.
Below, we will explain the reasons for not hitting the ball in batting. Objectively analyze your swing and find solutions for improvement.
Hands and feet moving simultaneously
When swinging, it's crucial to be aware of the "sequence" of body movement.
Generally, the swing is performed in the following sequence:
- Lift the foot opposite the pivot foot
- Place the foot on the ground
- Swing the bat
However, it is believed that people who cannot hit the ball swing in the following sequence:
- Lift the foot opposite the pivot foot
- Swing the bat simultaneously as the foot lands
The big difference between the two is whether the foot is "on the ground when swinging."
Those who don't hit the ball may be starting their swing at the same time they lower their raised foot. If you start swinging before your foot is fully on the ground, your head position will shift, and your eye level will be off by a few millimeters. As a result, your eye level at the stance will become unstable, leading to misjudging the ball's arrival point and consequently not hitting the ball.
Head moves after stepping forward
To hit a ball coming towards the batter, it is necessary to grasp the ball's arrival point. If your eye line doesn't waver, the ball will appear the same as when you were in your stance, making it easier to grasp the arrival point. Therefore, to hit the ball with the bat, it's important not to move your head (don't let your eye line waver).
However, when lifting your foot and stepping forward, your head will inevitably move to some extent. That's why you must maintain a state where your head doesn't move "after" you've stepped forward.
If you can prevent your head from moving when you step forward, you'll be able to clearly track the ball's trajectory as it approaches the batter. This will increase your contact rate with the ball.
Incorrect "cocking" technique
In baseball batting, "cocking" refers to slightly bending the wrist during the preparatory phase before swinging. If this cocking technique is incorrect, the bat head's trajectory will be roundabout when swinging. As a result, the distance for the bat to hit the ball becomes longer, leading to a slight delay in the swing.
When cocking, it's good to imagine the wrist shape right before swinging down a bamboo sword in kendo. Additionally, moving the bottom hand as if chopping the ball will make the bat's trajectory almost parallel to the ground.
Front hip moving too much
In batting, the condition of your feet when they hit the ground is also a crucial point. At this time, it's important that your weight is on the adductor muscle (inner thigh) of your front foot. If your weight isn't on it, your upper body and hips will thrust forward, weakening the impact on the ball.
To understand the sensation of having your weight on the adductor muscle of your front foot, imagine hitting a ball on the ground. At that moment, your hips are facing the center, which is the state of having your weight on the adductor muscle. By having your weight on the adductor muscle, your center of gravity remains stable during the swing, making it easier to transfer power to the ball.
Face too far from the ball
Many people probably can't imagine what it means for their head to be close to the ball. To understand this, it's important to imagine "how you look when bunting." To successfully bunt, you need to look closely at the ball with your eyes close to it.
Just like bunting, bringing your bat and face closer together increases the probability of hitting the ball. People who don't hit the ball or have a low contact rate tend to have their hands too far from their body when swinging.
However, if you bring your face too close, like in bunting, your swing will feel cramped. The ideal swing image is to swing with your hands passing close to your face, which brings the bat and your face closer.
The points introduced above are explained in detail in the video below. If you're interested, please watch it.
Tips for Hitting the Ball in Batting
When you first start playing baseball, you might find it difficult to hit the ball with the bat.
Below are tips for hitting the ball in batting.
Take your timing early
First, focus on getting your timing right early. If you lift your foot before hitting, try to start earlier than usual.
When first starting baseball, many people swing late and miss the ball due to poor timing. This happens because lifting the foot too late delays the next action. By lifting the foot earlier, you prepare for the next action, allowing you to watch the ball longer.
Predict the ball's arrival point
One reason for not hitting the ball could be a fundamental difficulty in making solid contact. In such cases, practice tracking the ball's trajectory. Specifically, it's important to get your eyes accustomed to the ball's path through batting practice with a pitching machine or tee batting.
Furthermore, strengthening your lower body is crucial. As explained above, a wavering gaze can lead to misjudging the ball's arrival point, making solid contact difficult. By strengthening your lower body, your batting form will stabilize, allowing you to swing without your gaze wavering.
Recommended Practice Methods for Those Who Can't Hit the Ball in Batting
Here, we introduce efficient practice methods for those who can't hit the ball. Put the practice methods introduced below into practice and aim to become an excellent batter with a high batting average.
Practice swinging with your hands close to your face
As mentioned earlier, one reason for not hitting the ball with the bat is being too far from the ball. To get closer to the ball, you should reduce the distance between your hands and your face. Specifically, it's important to practice swinging with your hands passing close to your face.
By doing so, you'll be able to better understand the bat's trajectory. Once you understand the bat's trajectory, you can develop the ability to make solid contact with the ball. This method is explained in detail in the video below. If you're interested, please watch it.
Control the batted ball with tee batting
Improving your contact skills through tee batting and toss batting is also effective. Generally, when you hear "tee batting" or "toss batting," you probably imagine two people practicing. However, this practice method involves three people: the person pitching, and an additional person catching the ball directly in front.
Specifically, you should hit the ball towards the catcher, who is at a distance, either with one bounce or without a bounce.
At this time, you should be controlling the batted ball with your lower body (especially your knees) rather than your upper body. By controlling with your knees, the distance between the bat and your face remains constant, so the ball appears the same when you hit it, allowing you to hit with your usual feel.
This practice method is explained in detail in the video below. If you are interested, please watch it.
Summary
To improve your contact skills, it's necessary to "keep the bat in the ball's trajectory for longer," but getting the feel for being in the line is difficult and hard to experience.
However, with the "GET LINE BAT X" sold by Amazing, you can easily acquire the sensation of being in the ball's line. Utilize this product and aim to become an excellent batter with a high batting average.
https://shop.amazing-baseball.com/products/new-get-line-bat
