HITTING APPROACH

SIMPLIFY THE GAME. IMPROVE YOUR RESULTS.

With a growing emphasis on data-tracking technology spreading throughout Major League Baseball, the lexicon of hitting has grown more complex. Aspects of the game, such as a ball's exit velocity, previously immeasurable, are now cited more and more frequently. There are tools to measure bat speed, and coaches teach "advanced hitting concepts" to produce "positive launch angles" by focusing on "tilt" and "hip posture" based on this data.

The modern era of baseball places a premium on power, and rightfully so. A player's ability to produce sudden offense puts far more pressure on a pitcher than a contact hitter simply looking to put the ball in play. Because of this, players like Giancarlo Stanton and Aaron Judge are deified for their Herculean-ability to hit a baseball really, really far. Their swings are studied and broken down frame by frame by hitting coaches abound on Twitter, YouTube and Instagram who pinpoint the subtle keys to success only their trained-eyes can see: the angle of the elbow at the point of contact; the internal hip rotation and position of the front knee; the [fill in the blank to prove just how much you know about baseball].

Watching Stanton and Judge hit the baseball is a spectacle to behold. It's fun to study the beauty and imagine what it'd be like to replicate that form. It's art. But creating bogus lingo to lead people to believe you possess superior knowledge of the game while ignoring the top 99.99% athleticism, strength and hand-eye coordination both players possess is comedic. It's also not uncommon.

Hitting a baseball is difficult, but it doesn't need to be complicated.

HITTING APPROACH

Hitting a baseball is difficult, but it doesn't need to be complicated. These are fundamental principles on which I have developed my approach to hitting:

MENTALITY

Extra-bases: Think double every time you step in the box.
Confidence: Always focus on creating offense. Your goal is to drive the ball, not not get out. You're more likely to achieve that which you focus on.
Know your match-up: It's not a bad idea to scale back against pitchers with great stuff. Contact is still a part of the game. However, when favorable match-ups at the plate arise, make sure you stay aggressive.

SWING MECHANICS

Pitch recognition: See the ball early and stay inside of the strike zone.
Patience: Let the ball travel through your hitting zone. This is called "staying behind the ball."
Balance and athleticism in your stance: Stay light on your feet and let your body work toward the pitcher.
Hit through your hands: Let your hands drive through your body as the barrel makes its way to the ball.
Stay through the ball: Commit to hitting through the ball beyond the point of contact.

What's most important for hitters to understand is that it's their responsibility to learn what works best for them. Hitting coaches can certainly help players refine their techniques; however, it's crucial for players to have a feel for their swing when working to develop solutions. The only way to achieve this is through dedicated repetition.

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