Ground balls in batting: Causes and practice drills for improvement!

Many people probably have the problem of hitting too many ground balls when batting. The reasons for hitting many ground balls are not just due to poor timing, but also due to flaws in form and swing habits.

This article clearly explains the main causes of hitting too many ground balls and introduces specific practice methods that can help improve this. Refer to the content of this article to achieve the ideal swing that can aim for home runs.

[About the Author of This Blog]

Minoru Hirohata, CEO of Amazing Co., Ltd., commonly known as Minoruman.
Played for Hirakata Boys - Osaka Toin High School - Aichi University - JR Tokai's strong team.
Won the Giants Cup, served as captain during his time at Osaka Toin, and experienced winning the Meiji Jingu Tournament.
As a pioneer in baseball instruction, he boasts over 200,000 followers on YouTube and Instagram.

Reasons for hitting too many ground balls in batting

The main reasons for hitting too many ground balls are the following three points:

・Hitting the top of the ball

・Wrist flipping at impact

・Pulling the ball due to incorrect timing

Let's look at the following content and check which case applies to you.

Hitting the top of the ball

Hitting down on the ball can lead to more ground balls. In Japanese baseball, coaching often emphasizes "hitting down on the ball" and "taking the shortest path with the bat." This coaching can instill a downward swing path, which is a factor in hitting more ground balls.

However, if you hit too far below the center of the ball, it will result in a pop-up, so it's important to find the sweet spot for hitting the ball at an ideal angle. If your current swing isn't producing results, try resetting your approach and re-evaluating your swing path.

Wrist flipping at impact

Many people who play baseball may have heard the expression "rolling over." "Rolling over" refers to a situation where the wrist flips too early at the moment of impact, earlier than the ideal timing.

When the wrist flips too early, the bat comes out on a trajectory that hits the outside of the ball, leading to more ground balls to third base for right-handed batters and first base for left-handed batters.

The main causes of wrist flipping are the following five points:

・Having an outside-in swing path

・Having a strong desire to pull the ball

・Reaching for the ball (upper body leaning forward)

・Excessive use of the wrist when hitting vertical breaking balls

・Hands moving too high up

As mentioned above, there are multiple causes for wrist flipping. To find a solution, first, identify the cause.

Pulling the ball due to incorrect timing

Poor timing can lead to getting jammed or pulling breaking balls, resulting in more ground balls.

Especially when you are not waiting for the ball, you need to be careful not to let your upper body lunge forward.

If your upper body lunges forward, you will be forced to adjust to the misaligned timing by overusing your wrists, which often leads to a "rolling over" situation.

As the pitcher's level increases, the variety and sharpness of breaking balls also increase, making it more difficult to time the ball. It is important to swing with an awareness of "loading" and "maintaining a strong front side" so that you can make contact at your ideal point with any pitch.

What to focus on to reduce ground balls in batting

Next, we will explain what you should be mindful of during your usual practice to reduce ground balls. The three main points you should focus on are:

・Slightly lowering the bat head at impact

・Aiming to hit towards center field

・Trying to watch the ball longer

Let's look at each point in detail.

Slightly lowering the bat head at impact

To hit the ball at an ideal angle, it's important to have the mindset of "slightly lowering the bat head" at the moment of impact. However, it's not easy to correct your swing path while you're swinging earnestly.

Therefore, what we want you to try is to "lean forward slightly" in your stance. When you swing with a slightly hunched back, the bat head naturally lowers slightly in conjunction with your body, bringing you closer to the ideal swing.

The degree to which you lean forward varies from person to person, so try hitting the ball by changing the angle. Since this can easily correct your swing path, please give it a try.

Aiming to hit towards center field

It is also important to aim for a fly ball to center field. If you try to pull the ball for extra bases, you will tense up, causing your body to open up and your catcher-side shoulder (right shoulder for right-handed batters, left shoulder for left-handed batters) to move forward.

This shoulder movement is a cause of hitting more ground balls. Swinging with the intention of hitting a fly ball to center field can prevent the catcher-side shoulder from coming forward.

Of course, there's no need to consciously aim for a center field fly ball during a game, but practice it during regular batting practice and long tee drills to ingrain the ideal swing into your body.

Trying to watch the ball longer

It is also important to try to watch the ball for as long as possible. Consciously watching the ball longer has benefits such as suppressing the opening of your body and increasing your awareness of the point where you catch the ball.

To watch the ball longer, you need to start your swing early and create a "load." Wait for the ball with your weight on your back foot, then transfer your weight to your front foot while watching the ball closely, and transfer power to the ball.

Initially, timing will be difficult, and the difficulty will increase further with breaking balls. Practice repeatedly to grasp the knack of watching the ball longer and timing.

Furthermore, Hayato Sakamoto of the Yomiuri Giants is excellent at timing by loading his weight on his back foot, so please take him as an example.

Practice methods to reduce ground balls in batting

Next, we will introduce two specific practice methods to reduce ground balls in batting. Please always keep in mind the "points to focus on" that we just explained while you practice.

Find the swing angle that allows for easier fly balls

To reduce ground balls, find the swing angle that allows for easier fly balls. To do this, try tee batting where someone "tosses the ball up from diagonally behind you."

By having the ball tossed up from diagonally behind, you can get a feel for "inserting the bat into the ball's trajectory." Check your swing path and find the sweet spot where the ball can easily go airborne.

Also, long tee batting, focusing on "ball spin" and "trajectory," is effective. Long tee batting allows you to check the quality of your hit. Try it while checking at what angle to insert the bat and which part of the ball to hit.

Mastering the inside-out swing

To reduce ground balls, you should master the inside-out swing. The practice method we recommend for this is "stationary tee practice."

Set the tee on the inside part of the plate and try to hit a ball that is close to your body to the opposite field. It will feel very cramped and difficult to hit, but this drill will help you acquire an inside-out swing.

This practice method is introduced in the video below. Please watch it if you are interested.

First, try to hit home runs constantly during your regular batting practice. A home run-hitting swing is the ideal form. Practice to get closer to the ideal, and then use stationary tee practice to correct any issues that arise.

Summary

People who hit too many ground balls in batting can resolve this by adopting the ideal swing for hitting home runs. Understand the reasons why you hit so many ground balls, then try the practice methods introduced in this article.

Furthermore, for those who want to "improve quickly and gain an edge over rivals," "PENTA5ON" is recommended.

PENTA5ON has a heavy grip end, so the bat head naturally becomes more effective during the swing. An effective bat head will help you acquire the "increased swing speed," "inside-out swing," and "wrist return" necessary for hitting home runs.

Utilize gear that can efficiently correct your swing and achieve your ideal swing.