My son's team has had problems hitting outside pitches. Seems to be all the other team throws once they realize we aren't good at hitting them. I've noticed since the beginning of the season that all of his teammates stand what I consider too far off the plate. I've always taught my players in the past to have their toes just off the line, or sometimes even crowding the plate.
My son's coach is now teaching them to stand way back in the box (towards the catcher), but keep their normal toe-distance from the plate (middle of the box or even further with some players. I've never seen this technique and am somewhat skeptical. My solution would have been to move towards the plate (toes on the line).
Has anyone ever heard of this coach's technique? Is it good? What do you teach for outside pitches?
Thanks.
I'm a bit confused....the plate is 17 inches in width. The typical bat in High School is at least 31 inches. That technically means the batter can stand 14 inches off the plate and still be able to hit an outside pitch...especially if he is extending his arms at all.
Why can't they make contact with the ball?