5 stations during batting practice for the minor leagues

It has been said many times that pitching and defense win ball games. We all know how boring it would be if that was all teams did. It has been proven time and time again that you can win without hitting. However, we have to address the problem, so we have to practice hitting. Listed below are 5 stations that will help prepare your hitters for the live action of a game. You will need an assistant to perform these exercises. It is important that you recruit help. The amount of help you get will determine how many of these stations you will be able to have in one practice.

1. Hitting ‘T’
2. soft launch
3. Follow-up
4. bunting
5. Batting practice

Hitting the “T”

Surely you will have to succeed in a “T”. This is obligatory. You will be limited to the number of pitches each batter will throw. The more swings that hit the “T,” the better prepared they’ll be for batting practice and the game. The first few times they go through these stations, ask them to hit as if you were in the middle. Make sure the “T” is no higher than the players waist. Working on the following:

1. important that feet are shoulder-width apart and that the player is balanced
2. when hitting the ball the upper hand is always on top of the ball
3. hit the top of the ball bringing it down
4. turning the back foot lifting the heel as the hands follow through the striking zone

As they feel comfortable, you can place the “T” for the inside tone and the outside tone. When working outfield, it is important to place the “T” behind home plate to illustrate to players that they have to wait in outfield. Also teach them to bring their hands back so that their front shoulder turns toward the plate. This will bring the front foot in so they can drive the ball. Most players will open their front shoulder and hit the ball with the end of the bat or miss it entirely.

soft launch

The soft season is a bonus in Little League. You may want to wait until later in the season to use this station. Basically a coach on one knee standing next to the player and throwing the ball to different areas of the plate. Players swing through the ball using all the appropriate techniques from the “T” drills. Hands on top of the ball driving through the ball.

Follow-up

This is an excellent drill to teach the minor leaguer to keep his eyes on the ball. His above-average hitters always work on the follow-through. Most of them will take pitches just to get a feel for how the pitcher is pitching. They always make pitchers throw a lot of pitches. Teach them to follow the ball into the catcher’s mitt. This is something they should do during batting practice and the game. The more they see the ball, the bigger it looks. You can use a rag ball or a whiffle ball.

bunting

Bunting’s art is just as important at every level of baseball and more neglected. In this age of baseball, the home run is king. It has been shown in recent world series that the small ball will win more championships than the home runs. Have them tag at least five balls, down the first base line and the third base line. Later you can work bunts for base hits.

Batting practice

Because you have so much to do and trying to get all the players to hit, you should limit the number of pitches for each batter (15-20). Have the players work on making contact first. You’ll have the experienced Little League player knocking down the cover on the ball and then you’ll have the ones that you really have to work to make contact. That’s why if you have the luxury of having the help to operate the stations, it would speed up the learning curve tremendously.

Chances are you just use the “T” and live batting practice. Using this model will allow you to do a practice without having a practice marathon. Don’t try to do all 5 stations in the first practice. As you get comfortable, you can adjust your practice schedule and add stations. You will most likely never do all five in one practice.

Observed

Make sure the dough is doing the correct mechanics. Never let them do it halfway.

Practice makes perfect