Mental Preparation for Hitting

[1] Hitting is more than smashing the ball; it's approaching an at-bat with an understanding of the game situation -- and what a hitter's specific role should be. Here are three areas any hitter can focus on to prepare successfully at the plate and become more valuable to their team.

Study the pitcher to gain an edge :

Anything you can pick up about the pitcher prior to going into the box can help give you an advantage. Ask yourself the following questions: Does she always throw the first pitch as a strike? What pitch does she like to throw when she's ahead in the count? Does she move the ball mostly in and out, or up and down? What's her "bread and butter" pitch? Does she have a tendency to throw inside or outside? Up in the zone or down in the zone? Does she tip off any of her pitches by how she delivers or prepares to deliver?

Some pitchers look at the location of where they'll throw their pitch after picking up the signal from the catcher. If you can pick up the movement of their eyes from the catcher's signal to their target, you may be able to tell where the pitch will be thrown.

Read more on how to gain an edge in the batter's box by knowing the situation and stepping in with confidence.

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