Why I can't seem to hit well in games

[Roy Halladay]

I'm 16 years old playing in my highschool and summer league team. I'm planning on joining the ontario blue jays next year and hopefully to college/university ball.

However, something is really throwing my bat off lately. During practice, I'm able to just comfortably drive the ball where I please. I almost hit a few dingers too. The problem really is that in our practice, the coach throws and throws kinda slow. Nothing compared to the pitchers I actually face. Nonetheless, that's not my excuse for failing.

The problem really is that when it's my turn for the AB, I just can't concentrate well. I'm always telling myself, "swing at the first pitch if it's in my zone, it's probably the best pitch I can get to hit", yet I can't pull the trigger. No matter how much I see it in MLB games, I struggle doing it without being nervous.

Today I went 0-3 with three strikeouts (although the second AB should have been a walk as the pitch was high, everyone agreed on that), and 2 of them were swinging strikeouts. I seem to just completely miss on contact too. It also puts me down that I know only fastballs were coming from that pitcher and everyone else, with the exception of a few, seemed to just tee off him. Think about how much worse when breaking balls come into play.

So I really want to know if anyone could give me some advice to swing like I do in practice and overcome this nervousness I have. I just can't "see ball, hit ball", for me it's more like see ball, think about it, hit ball.

Any help would be appreciated. I'm very serious about getting into college ball and Ontario Jays and my skill as a catcher is really carrying me now, but I need my bat to come into play.

Thank you,
Roy

[Jake Patterson]

I'm 16 years old playing in my highschool and summer league team. I'm planning on joining the ontario blue jays next year and hopefully to college/university ball.

However, something is really throwing my bat off lately. During practice, I'm able to just comfortably drive the ball where I please. I almost hit a few dingers too. The problem really is that in our practice, the coach throws and throws kinda slow. Nothing compared to the pitchers I actually face. Nonetheless, that's not my excuse for failing.

The problem really is that when it's my turn for the AB, I just can't concentrate well. I'm always telling myself, "swing at the first pitch if it's in my zone, it's probably the best pitch I can get to hit", yet I can't pull the trigger. No matter how much I see it in MLB games, I struggle doing it without being nervous.

Today I went 0-3 with three strikeouts (although the second AB should have been a walk as the pitch was high, everyone agreed on that), and 2 of them were swinging strikeouts. I seem to just completely miss on contact too. It also puts me down that I know only fastballs were coming from that pitcher and everyone else, with the exception of a few, seemed to just tee off him. Think about how much worse when breaking balls come into play.

So I really want to know if anyone could give me some advice to swing like I do in practice and overcome this nervousness I have. I just can't "see ball, hit ball", for me it's more like see ball, think about it, hit ball.

Any help would be appreciated. I'm very serious about getting into college ball and Ontario Jays and my skill as a catcher is really carrying me now, but I need my bat to come into play.

Thank you,
Roy

Have you read any of Harvey Dorfman's books??

[Roy Halladay]

Have you read any of Harvey Dorfman's books??

No I have not, nor have I heard of him

[Jake Patterson]

No I have not, nor have I heard of him

Here's a link... http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss...me%2Caps%2C225

[Megunticook]

Read Tom Hanson's "Play Big" (http://www.amazon.com/Play-Big-Tough...7858132&sr=8-1.

Sounds like you just need to get out of your own way to succeed.

[dominik]

Ask your coach to throw a little harder or move in closer if he can't (if he cannot bring the heat have him throw 20-25 feet away with some zip-no lobbing the ball in). But at best you ask your teammates to go with you since he will likely comply if all players want that. tell him you are overmatched in games because of the difference in reaction time.

The reaction time should be realistic. Pitching speed is the biggest challange batters face as the move up since reaction time goes down. training should adress that.

Also get your eyes checked. often a lack of contact is a result of bad eyes.

third guess would be that your mechanics don't scale against hard pitching. squaring up slow tosses doesn't mean you have good mechanics. post a video here if you can here are some good experts.

the urge of swinging at everything can mean that the "go" in your swing is too early since your swing is long. you don't want to push out your hands but load them late as the body is already starting to turn forward and accelerate the bat deep instead of out front with extended arms.

[omg]

I'm 16 years old playing in my highschool and summer league team. I'm planning on joining the ontario blue jays next year and hopefully to college/university ball.

However, something is really throwing my bat off lately. During practice, I'm able to just comfortably drive the ball where I please. I almost hit a few dingers too. The problem really is that in our practice, the coach throws and throws kinda slow. Nothing compared to the pitchers I actually face. Nonetheless, that's not my excuse for failing.

The problem really is that when it's my turn for the AB, I just can't concentrate well. I'm always telling myself, "swing at the first pitch if it's in my zone, it's probably the best pitch I can get to hit", yet I can't pull the trigger. No matter how much I see it in MLB games, I struggle doing it without being nervous.

Today I went 0-3 with three strikeouts (although the second AB should have been a walk as the pitch was high, everyone agreed on that), and 2 of them were swinging strikeouts. I seem to just completely miss on contact too. It also puts me down that I know only fastballs were coming from that pitcher and everyone else, with the exception of a few, seemed to just tee off him. Think about how much worse when breaking balls come into play.

So I really want to know if anyone could give me some advice to swing like I do in practice and overcome this nervousness I have. I just can't "see ball, hit ball", for me it's more like see ball, think about it, hit ball.

Any help would be appreciated. I'm very serious about getting into college ball and Ontario Jays and my skill as a catcher is really carrying me now, but I need my bat to come into play.

Thank you,
Roy

Before the game, stand in batter's box bullpen and track pitches while your team's pitcher is warming up. Take a slow, soft stride as the pitch approaches. Focus on seeing as much of the ball as you possibly can. Watch the ball all the way from pitcher's release to the catcher's glove. After the pitch, say softly whether the pitch was a ball or a strike. Ask the catcher if there is doubt. All of this will help get your eyes and timing ready for the game.

[dominik]

Before the game, stand in batter's box bullpen and track pitches while your team's pitcher is warming up. Take a slow, soft stride as the pitch approaches. Focus on seeing as much of the ball as you possibly can. Watch the ball all the way from pitcher's release to the catcher's glove. After the pitch, say softly whether the pitch was a ball or a strike. Ask the catcher if there is doubt. All of this will help get your eyes and timing ready for the game.

That's great. I do it all the time. you cannot practice tracking enough. I even do it while playing catch. most hitters watch the ball but few really focus. seeing a white blurr is not enough (it's enough to make contact but not to exactly hit the right spot of the ball). you gotta really focus and even try to see the seems of the ball.

[Roy Halladay]

Practice is an issue as most of the time the coach will softly toss it, not hard to hit those. However, when our fast pitchers pitch at times, my form is usually solid and although I won't get a hit everytime, i make sound contact. It's something

about the game that is killing me.

I know timing is an issue for sure. I always like to look at how fast the pitcher is throwing, but when I'm at bat I don't know any other pitchers except for the fastball that he throws during his warmup. That's what I always get weary of, which is why I usually am late on pitches. Majority of the balls I hit go to right field because of this.

I will do my best to get a video because I'm sure people here can help me

[tg643]

Shall I dare delve into reality. If you're sixteen and can't hit in games chances are you're not a very good baseball player. You don't get to play college ball because you would like to. Players play college ball because they are talented.

[dominik]

Practice is an issue as most of the time the coach will softly toss it, not hard to hit those. However, when our fast pitchers pitch at times, my form is usually solid and although I won't get a hit everytime, i make sound contact. It's something

about the game that is killing me.

I know timing is an issue for sure. I always like to look at how fast the pitcher is throwing, but when I'm at bat I don't know any other pitchers except for the fastball that he throws during his warmup. That's what I always get weary of, which is why I usually am late on pitches. Majority of the balls I hit go to right field because of this.

I will do my best to get a video because I'm sure people here can help me

If you are late consistently you could do it like jose bautista and cheat a little.

he is starting his hip rotation a little early and sitting on FBs middle in while trying to lay off a lot of offspeed stuff and outside pitches. at the HS level this might probably work but you would need a very good eye and not miss those pitches in your zone.

[Roy Halladay]

Shall I dare delve into reality. If you're sixteen and can't hit in games chances are you're not a very good baseball player. You don't get to play college ball because you would like to. Players play college ball because they are talented.

Thanks for the help

I didn't state I can't hit at all during games, merely that I was struggling as of late and was wondering what i can do about it. I've actually been doing well recently, 5-10 I believe.

So i do believe I have talent, but I need to work on preparing for the games better.

[tg643]

Thanks for the help

I didn't state I can't hit at all during games, merely that I was struggling as of late and was wondering what i can do about it. I've actually been doing well recently, 5-10 I believe.

So i do believe I have talent, but I need to work on preparing for the games better.

Your posts appear to be a contradiction. One post you can't make contact. In the next you're 5-10. What you need to do is start being honest with yourself about your ability. Get to some college games, pay attention, be close enough to see the velocity of the pitches and ask yourself are you prepared for it, or are you dreaming. Next summer you need to be prepared to be in front of college coaches and produce.

[Roy Halladay]

Your posts appear to be a contradiction. One post you can't make contact. In the next you're 5-10. What you need to do is start being honest with yourself about your ability. Get to some college games, pay attention, be close enough to see the velocity of the pitches and ask yourself are you prepared for it, or are you dreaming. Next summer you need to be prepared to be in front of college coaches and produce.

The pitchers I would face, and some on our team, are already in the low-mid 80's. I've seen it, caught them and watched how they pitched. So really, it's not like I have no idea what I'd be facing in college.

I'm just trying to refine my swing and make it second nature to me. I know I have a lot of work to do, but it can be done

[tg643]

The pitchers I would face, and some on our team, are already in the low-mid 80's. I've seen it, caught them and watched how they pitched. So really, it's not like I have no idea what I'd be facing in college.

I'm just trying to refine my swing and make it second nature to me. I know I have a lot of work to do, but it can be done

If you think you're going to face low 80's in college you must be planning on playing at a low level. Even at the competitive level of D3 most of the pitchers start at 85. Those who don't have nasty stuff.

[omg]

Shall I dare delve into reality. If you're sixteen and can't hit in games chances are you're not a very good baseball player. You don't get to play college ball because you would like to. Players play college ball because they are talented.

Roy,

You need to focus on what tg is saying and let it motivate you. You will be running in to a lot of people like him who will say you can't do it. A lot. Keep these people in mind when you are working out and practicing. It will make you a better player. Prove them wrong.

[real green]

Are we not looking at this from the wrong angle.

You should be sitting fastball and adjusting to off speed. Not the other way around as you suggest below.

"I know timing is an issue for sure. I always like to look at how fast the pitcher is throwing, but when I'm at bat I don't know any other pitchers except for the fastball that he throws during his warmup. That's what I always get weary of, which is why I usually am late on pitches. Majority of the balls I hit go to right field because of this."

Focus on beating his best fastball. If you can time his FB than you should be able to adjust or at least foul off his junk. Another comment you make that I don't quite follow is putting any value on his warm-up. DON'T DO IT!!! Pay attention during the game. You will see multiple at bats prior to yours most times. Watch his release point, velocity, 2nd and 3rd pitches during live batters. Make mental notes. Look for habits such as first pitch fastballs, location, what he does ahead of the count and when he is behind the count.

I always batted in the one spot and always cheated fastball first pitch over the white which was very productive. If you feel yourself getting nervous, go up taking first pitch. Your goals are to time, and spot his release point. Concentrating on seeing the pitch into the mit.

[tg643]

Roy,

You need to focus on what tg is saying and let it motivate you. You will be running in to a lot of people like him who will say you can't do it. A lot. Keep these people in mind when you are working out and practicing. It will make you a better player. Prove them wrong.

If he's 16 and having trouble hitting he hasn't done it. He needs to take stock of his skills and improve a lot if he wants to play college ball. I'm sorry if I'm not willing to sugar coat it. Too many kids have it sugar coated for them. Then they don't get it when they fail. Everyone told them they were fine when they weren't.

Personally, I believe a discussion board is a bad place for a sixteen year old to come for hitting advice. No one here knows the kid's physical skills or limitations. He'll get hit from several angles with different advice. How is he to know who is right based on his skill set and potential? He should talk to his coach or someone local.

[omg]

If he's 16 and having trouble hitting he hasn't done it. He needs to take stock of his skills and improve a lot if he wants to play college ball. I'm sorry if I'm not willing to sugar coat it. Too many kids have it sugar coated for them. Then they don't get it when they fail. Everyone told them they were fine when they weren't.

Personally, I believe a discussion board is a bad place for a sixteen year old to come for hitting advice. No one here knows the kid's physical skills or limitations. He'll get hit from several angles with different advice. How is he to know who is right based on his skill set and potential? He should talk to his coach or someone local.

There is solid advice he could get here regarding mental aspects and practice. I agree that technical/mechanical stuff is probably best left for a live coach. Just because he's 16 and struggling with his hitting doesn't necessarily mean much. Depends on his talent and the competition. i've played with guys who struggled big time with their hitting and made millions in the bigs. Also, he's a catcher. i've seen plenty of professional catchers who weren't great hitters but had fine careers.

[clayadams]

If the kid has someone willing to work with him (like a father) on a daily basis, then I easily believe he could make a massive change by fall. That is, stating he has the natural ability. If he's 16 on his varsity team then I would assume so.

To the OP, I'd say video taping your swing and posting it here is one of the best things you can do. You're going to get way more advice than you ever wished for, but look for one thing to work on and go to it.

[tradosaurus]

I'm 16 years old playing in my highschool and summer league team. I'm planning on joining the ontario blue jays next year and hopefully to college/university ball.

However, something is really throwing my bat off lately. During practice, I'm able to just comfortably drive the ball where I please. I almost hit a few dingers too. The problem really is that in our practice, the coach throws and throws kinda slow. Nothing compared to the pitchers I actually face. Nonetheless, that's not my excuse for failing.

The problem really is that when it's my turn for the AB, I just can't concentrate well. I'm always telling myself, "swing at the first pitch if it's in my zone, it's probably the best pitch I can get to hit", yet I can't pull the trigger. No matter how much I see it in MLB games, I struggle doing it without being nervous.

Today I went 0-3 with three strikeouts (although the second AB should have been a walk as the pitch was high, everyone agreed on that), and 2 of them were swinging strikeouts. I seem to just completely miss on contact too. It also puts me down that I know only fastballs were coming from that pitcher and everyone else, with the exception of a few, seemed to just tee off him. Think about how much worse when breaking balls come into play.

So I really want to know if anyone could give me some advice to swing like I do in practice and overcome this nervousness I have. I just can't "see ball, hit ball", for me it's more like see ball, think about it, hit ball.

Any help would be appreciated. I'm very serious about getting into college ball and Ontario Jays and my skill as a catcher is really carrying me now, but I need my bat to come into play.

Thank you,
Roy

My 13U son struggled earlier in the season in 13U majors tournament ball. After standing outside the fence facing the pitcher while he batted I noticed he was way off the plate.

I told him to use his bat as a gauge to determine the proper distance to the plate. Basically if you can touch the other side of home plate with the bat you are about right.

His hitting has improved dramatically.

I would encourage you to buy the book "The Mental Keys to Hitting".

[dominik]

My 13U son struggled earlier in the season in 13U majors tournament ball. After standing outside the fence facing the pitcher while he batted I noticed he was way off the plate.

I told him to use his bat as a gauge to determine the proper distance to the plate. Basically if you can touch the other side of home plate with the bat you are about right.

His hitting has improved dramatically.

I would encourage you to buy the book "The Mental Keys to Hitting".

Often standing too far off the plate is a result of fear of the ball