Mental Approach

I hope you're getting mentally and physically prepared to hit. Specifically, while on deck, you should practice timing your stride to the pitcher's best fastball. Be on time, because if your stride is late, you're pretty much done. Second, practice seeing the release point. From there, find whatever routine works for you to get you confident, loose, and focused.

From high school through college baseball my approach on deck, and in the dugout in general, are to pick up release points on the different pitches. It took me quite a bit longer to realize how this helps in high school but if you can realize that this is a great game but also that you can often "out smart" the other team/player to gain an advantage you are a step ahead of others.

My coach in high school gave us a speech on how we finally "got it" when we began picking up these cues.

So look for release points and how they are giving away the pitch being thrown. Always try to visualize what you want to see, look fastball and adjust. Going the opposite way, and having the ability to do it well, will boost your batting average quickly and (like CoachTraub's quote say's) it will often allow you to do the job you know you have to do in many cases!

True Recruits
True Sports. True Fans. True Recruis.
www.TrueRecruits.com

My coach has us sit on the bucket when we're in the hole and concentrate on where the pitcher's release point is and what his tendencies are. Like, has he been throwing first pitch strikes, is he eradic, what's his out pitch.

As sson as i get on deck I do 2 reps of outside, down the middle, and inside swings. I'll then time the pitcher on his first or second pitch with practice swings like I'm at the plate. I then watch him to see all of his pitches.

It's worked for me so I'll keep doing it.

Watch release point of the pitcher. Get your timing down. Watch his fastball and off speed pitches. Look where the catcher is setting up.

All i do is squat down and watch his release on different pitches, like he might tip his pitches by moving his hand differently when throwing a curve, then if you get to see 3 or more pitches just take a few cuts getting ready. Its really difficult to time the pitch when your not up to the plate.

CoachTraub's hitting the nail on the head here, I think. Your feet, and their timing, is EVERYTHING. While on deck, work on your timing to the pitcher's delivery...if they're working from the stretch, how quick are they to the plate? This should start even before you get in the on-deck circle. You have the ability to mentally experience 3-4 at bats before you ever even get into the batter's box. Focus on getting your front foot down, hips and hands loaded and ready to explode in time. Bottom line, if you're on time, and your feet are where they're supposed to be, when they're supposed to be there...you give yourself the best chance to get a good look at the incoming pitch, and your hands will react accordingly, i.e. you will not be dipping, have a long swing, get jammed, etc. Worry about the fastball, and trust your hands to stay back on something off-speed. But your feet are KEY here, as they allow you to have enough time to see the ball, and react appropriately with your hips and hands. Always focus on the timing of your feet while in the on-deck circle, and even before that if possible.

"I`m about to smash this *****"

I am thinking about the spped of the pitcher. If it is a fast pitcher, move back in the box. If a slow pitcher, move forward in the box. I am also looking to see what type of pitch to look for first pitch. I also remind myself to let my hands travel. The most important part is that I tell myself that I am going to hit the ball.

Look for specific patterns the pitcher is using. Timing is usually relative to the pattern the pitcher is throwing. If the pitcher is in a groove he'll likely stay with the same sequence.