Hitting curveballs

[baseballer6]

Hi, I've been hitting fine all season but all of a sudden I can't hit a curveball to save my life. It looks like I'm going to hit it but then I just swing right over top of it. Does anyone know any drills to help this. I know my swing plane needs to be more of an uppercut when hitting a curveball but I still cant manage to hit it.

[UMRebels13]

if you dont have 2 strikes on you, unless he hangs, take it. if you get 2 strikes on you keep your hands back.

[Charger567]

if you dont have 2 strikes on you, unless he hangs, take it. if you get 2 strikes on you keep your hands back.

You can't run away from it forever. If a pitcher sees this, he will throw as many in a row as he needs.

I would say repetition outside of games is important. Just seeing a lot of them seems to be a good solution.

[UMRebels13]

You can't run away from it forever. If a pitcher sees this, he will throw as many in a row as he needs.

I would say repetition outside of games is important. Just seeing a lot of them seems to be a good solution.

depending on what level it is at, your not gonna see many kids throw 3 straight curveballs for strikes. but if he does, most of the time all you can do is tip your cap to him.

[StraightGrain11]

Hi, I've been hitting fine all season but all of a sudden I can't hit a curveball to save my life. It looks like I'm going to hit it but then I just swing right over top of it. Does anyone know any drills to help this. I know my swing plane needs to be more of an uppercut when hitting a curveball but I still cant manage to hit it.

Why would you change your swing? Do you change your swing when hitting front-toss vs. full-speed live pitching? It's not your swing, it's your timing and point of contact. If you're "over top of it" then you need to make and adjustment as to where your "aiming"/directing your swing, not change your swing (or its plane).

[Nater44]

depending on what level it is at, your not gonna see many kids throw 3 straight curveballs for strikes. but if he does, most of the time all you can do is tip your cap to him.

I love it! And you are absolutely right. It's wasn't until college ball that I began to see three or four straight curveballs to guys that were weak on that pitch. However, even then pitchers make mistakes. Saw the same deal in the minor leagues also.

The best recommendation for hitting curve balls consistency is to get really good at hitting fastballs! Don't miss "your pitch" because you should be getting a couple decent pitches to hit each at bat. With the added confidence (by crushing fastballs) you'll find that hitting curve balls will become much more easy.

I know if can be frustrating for sure, but work on some strengths for now.

[Charger567]

I love it! And you are absolutely right. It's wasn't until college ball that I began to see three or four straight curveballs to guys that were weak on that pitch. However, even then pitchers make mistakes. Saw the same deal in the minor leagues also.

The best recommendation for hitting curve balls consistency is to get really good at hitting fastballs! Don't miss "your pitch" because you should be getting a couple decent pitches to hit each at bat. With the added confidence (by crushing fastballs) you'll find that hitting curve balls will become much more easy.

I know if can be frustrating for sure, but work on some strengths for now.

I am seeing it at high school JV baseball. And even if it isn't coming up for a while, I don't see what bad can come out of learning to hit one early.

[Nater44]

Nothing wrong with it man, learn it. But, place your focus on your strengths first. Of course you are seeing it at the HS level, but you are not seeing 3 every at bat for 4 at bats per game.

[UMRebels13]

I am seeing it at high school JV baseball. And even if it isn't coming up for a while, I don't see what bad can come out of learning to hit one early.

Theres absolutely nothing wrong with learning how to hit it, but dont look to hit it until you have to. The best way to beat a junk pitcher is to hit his fastball when you see it.

[StraightGrain11]

Theres absolutely nothing wrong with learning how to hit it, but dont look to hit it until you have to. The best way to beat a junk pitcher is to hit his fastball when you see it.

Hit that nail right on the head. Hit the straight stuff (it goes farther ).

[kylebee]

The best advice on how to hit a curveball is simply to not miss the fastball.

[baseballer6]

Thanks for the replies. I'm not really having problems with fastballs but in practice my coach throws curveballs and I'm having a tough time all of a sudden with hitting them. He told me that I need to show him I can hit them. What's frustrating is that I've done well all season but the last few practices I've been struggling a bit and just because of that I need to prove myself all over again. I'm just frustrated over the situation and want to show him I can hit them because I can, I'm just having a little funk right now with them.

[StraightGrain11]

I'm just having a little funk right now with them.

BINGO. It's called: a SLUMP . Every hitter goes through them. It's part of the game. Most slumps are a result of thinking too much. Just keep working on it. The only way out of a slump is to work your way out of it. HITTING is more about CONFIDENCE than anything.

[korp]

You might be pulling your head or moving it too soon that is the problem lots of times when you can't hit curve balls. Make sure you track it all the way to contact thats usually what happens when I miss them or miscalculate the break.

[korp]

You do have to work on weaknesses though especially when pitchers hit their spots and you are forced to hit off speed late in the count.