LEARNING HOW TO BE “HIT BY A PITCH”

If I have learned one thing in my 25 years of baseball, it is that a player must possess confidence at the plate. One of the more common reasons for a young player to lack confidence at the plate is the fear of being hit by the ball. Younger players may be reluctant to admit it, but they fear being hit by a pitch when kids their own age are throwing. They do not trust the kid on the mound, and do not trust that they can get out of the way in time if the ball is thrown at them. This is one of the main reasons a young hitter takes half swings, backs out of the box, and fails to keep their eye on the incoming pitch.

A good coach can recognize this problem and should ask the player if he or she fears being hit by the pitch. If this is the case as suspected, you can help subdue this fear by running the player through a simple drill to help them understand the proper technique of getting hit by a pitch. The proper technique will help soften the blow, protect the hitters vulnerable body parts, and give the player a heightened self esteem at the plate.

Here are proper steps to avoiding an incoming pitch:

1)    Keep eye on ball and recognize the pitch is coming your way

2)    Immediately rotate the upper body and front shoulder in and away from the incoming pitch

3)    During rotation, lower the head and arms into the body and lower the bat to the ground

4)    The backside of the front leg will be facing the pitcher as well as the buttocks. The shoulders will be protecting the back of the neck and any vulnerable part of the face. A pitch taken off the butt, back of the leg or shoulder will hurt much less.

You can use whiffle balls or incrediballs. Stand back about 25 feet and tell the hitter you may or may not hit them with the pitch. As you throw pitches, throw a few pitches in the strike zone and let the hitter get comfortable. Then start to throw inside little by little until you actually hit them with the pitch. When they are hit by the pitch and use the proper technique, encourage and tell them good job. If they jump back and raise their arms to avoid the pitch, show them how vulnerable their body is when they do this. Allow them to understand that proper technique is key to making the ball hurt less. After awhile, the player realizes the proper technique needed and begins to gain confidence. The player will begin to understand that they can stay in on the pitch and get out of the way in time if needed. This will lead to better swings, better results, and a more confident hitter.

Happy Headhunting!

- Eric Blakeley

Hopefully this blog helps anybody that may have a player fighting this situation. Remember that your responses, questions, or any additional advice are welcome. Email TrainDK@sbcglobal.net to give your experience or how this may have helped your situation.

*To book individualized hitting training with Eric, Call Diamond Kings at 219-558-2273

HOW TO GET "HIT BY A PITCH" (proper technique for building confidence as a hitter)