What is a good drill to help wait on the outside pitch so it can be driven to the opposite field, rather than bein pushed softly to the opposite field.
Original Post
Replies sorted oldest to newest
You can use tee drills, some of the 3 or 5 position tee's and definitely cage or bp work. The key is to let the ball get deep. You don't have to change anything about your swing. The bat head should reach the outside corner, so when you let the ball get a little deeper, you will connect with the bat head toward the rightside. We use these drills daily for situational hittng, hit & run, moving the runner from 2nd to 3rd and so on. It also helps on the 2 strike approach. It allows you to look longer at borderline pitches and chip them foul when you become good at it. Theres nothing a whole lot of work can't cure.
Another good drill that we use from time to time is to have the hitter set up as they normally would in the box and throw to him from an L-screen that is between the mound and first base. The goal is to power the ball back at the L-screen. We really stress patience and swing late with quickness to prevent the body from getting out in front.
Right up my alley coach, its a great workout for going the other way.
Lefty,
Both coaches have given you great advice. The one drill that I use with not only my big league guys I work with, but also my younger ones is called "Long Tee". What you do is place the ball on the outside corner of the plate and about a foot in front of the plate. (Kind of opposite of what Coach Ric was speaking of)
You need to practice driving this pitch knee high right at the 2nd Baseman or back-right corner of a cage. What this drill does is that it teaches you to keep your bat through the zone on the outside pitch and allows you to finish your swing.
Catching the ball deep as the previous coaches mentioned is ideal in a game situation, but add keeping your bat through the hitting zone longer, and you will really gain confidence in your opposite field hitting.
Both coaches have given you great advice. The one drill that I use with not only my big league guys I work with, but also my younger ones is called "Long Tee". What you do is place the ball on the outside corner of the plate and about a foot in front of the plate. (Kind of opposite of what Coach Ric was speaking of)
You need to practice driving this pitch knee high right at the 2nd Baseman or back-right corner of a cage. What this drill does is that it teaches you to keep your bat through the zone on the outside pitch and allows you to finish your swing.
Catching the ball deep as the previous coaches mentioned is ideal in a game situation, but add keeping your bat through the hitting zone longer, and you will really gain confidence in your opposite field hitting.
Great approach Coach A, and one that has worked well for us over the years.
I take pride in the fact that I think taking the ball to the opposite field is something I do very well. I like to just visualize in my mind exactly where my hands and the barrel are going to be at the point of contact. Focus on letting the bal get deep then exploding to it, and while staying inside it-- driving it hard to the opposite field.
Tee work is a must. Over-emphasize staying inside and driving the ball hard when it gets deep in the zone.
Tee work is a must. Over-emphasize staying inside and driving the ball hard when it gets deep in the zone.
Starting the bat vertical and using the resulting arm action will bring the knob out to the oppo box and get square to RC
