I played minor league baseball for 4 years, and I have been giving private lessons for the last seven years. I have recently accepted an offer to be a volunteer assistant at Central Michigan University. I have worked with a world series champion, Little League players, and everyone in between. I cover topics from hitting and fielding instruction down to how parents should use the resources that are available to their kids, and what is going on in the MLB as well. I'll save you money, sanity, and your valuable time, while giving you information that is priceless.
Each player has individual stats, we all know that, but some of the at bats players have start one way and finish another.
For example if there is a runner on second base with nobody out, the hitter starts with one thing in mind, getting the runner in. I am OK with this approach as long as the hitter understands to stay within himself and not get overly aggressive swinging at pitches out of the zone. The second part of the at bat comes with two strikes on the hitter. At this point in time the at bat no longer belongs to you, it belongs to the team and your job has changed from simply driving the run in to making sure at the very least you get him over.
What does that mean?
It means you must put the ball in play, at this point in time a ground ball to second base is a quality at bat and your coach will be very happy, especially when the next batter hits a routine fly ball to center and the team scores a run because you were unselfish and realized your job was no longer to drive the ball in the gap, it was to simply get the guy on second over to third.
Do not misunderstand me here, I never want you to take lazy swings but you must expand your zone with two strikes and do whatever you can to help the team. On that same note if the pitcher makes a mistake be prepared to take advantage of it.
In this situation we will say the hitter is a lefty. With a guy on second and nobody out the other team isn’t just going to let you do your job. What does that mean? it means a good pitcher is going to make you work. He is going to keep the ball away from you and try to keep it down. He is not going to just let you pull a fast ball belt high. So be prepared when it comes to your approach. Also, with two strikes just simply put the ball in play. This may seem like a very simple thing but a lot of hitters lose sight of what they are trying to do, and also what the other team is trying to keep you from doing. Stay within yourself, have an approach, and with two strikes, put the ball in play.
Go out, have fun, play hard.
