Sport: Baseball
Skill: Batting
Specifics: Hitting the ball down the 3rd base line
Age Level: Middle/High School
Skill: Batting
Specifics: Hitting the ball down the 3rd base line
Age Level: Middle/High School
Skill Analysis
Preparatory
Stand inside the batter’s box beside the plate
Body facing the side of the plate opposite of the individual’s strong side (those
that are right handed will stand on the left, lefties on the right)
Feet should be anywhere from a few inches to about a foot
beyond shoulder width apart depending on comfort, balance, and
intended power of swing
Strong foot firmly planted in the ground
Weak foot should be slightly closer to the plate and turned slightly toward the
pitcher
Knees are bent to about a 30-45 degree angle depending on comfort
Hips facing the plate
Torso turned slightly to the back of the plate
Hands grip the bat, strong hand on top of the weaker with the top pinky and
bottom index fingers touching
Weak shoulder is turned inward, allowing the weak arm flexed to a 45 degree
angle at the elbow to come across the chest to hold the bat over
the strong shoulder
Strong shoulder should be turned slightly in toward the chest
Strong arm flexed to a 15-25 degree angle at the elbow to hold the bat over
the strong shoulder
Do not rest the bat on the shoulder
Neck should be turned to allow the batter to face the pitcher
Keep the eyes on the ball and the pitcher
Execution
Step with the weak foot (front foot) slightly toward the area between the
pitcher and the short stop to open the hips toward the third base side,
changing the plane of the swing to guide toward the left side
Cock the shoulders back away from the ball slightly to drive with more power
Keeping the strong foot (back foot) planted, turn the torso at the hips
As the arms bring the bat across the body, elbows should be straight with full
extension, hips turning and opening the body toward the third base
side and slowly coming off the back foot that assists in the driving
strength
Wrists should rotate to accommodate the swing of the bat, turning to extend
the bat over the plate and in front of the body
Head and neck move only for the batter to keep eyes on the ball until contact
is made
Follow Through
After contact is made:
Continue to swing through the plane, do not stop the motion because the bat
connected with the ball
As the arms extend across the front of the body, the hips should have opened
to the point where the torso and waist are now facing the pitcher (90
degree difference from preparatory position
Lift the heel of the back foot, keeping toes on the ground and top of the foot
turning to also face the pitcher
When the swing crosses the body, the bat should come across the front of the
now open body and over the weak shoulder, wrists rotating the bat
behind the body in such a way that the strong hand will be higher
than the weak *without letting go of the bat or changing position on
the grip, the bat will be upside down after the complete extension
behind the back
Critical Elements
Do not be afraid of the ball- enter the batter’s box with confidence and stand close
enough to the plate that the bat will extend over the area with ease
Two hands on the bat all the way through the swing
Step into the pitch toward the left side to open the hips and angle the bat
Keep both eyes on the ball until contact is made, looking away will leave the batter
unprepared for the course and speed of the ball
Do not stop the swing once contact is made as failure to follow through will result in a
poorly and weakly hit ball that can be easily fielded
It is important to know that the swing is not the only determining factor in ball
placement. The direction of the ball traveling once hit is greatly influenced by the spin on the ball pitched, whether the ball pitched inside or outside (close to the batter or further away) and timing (making contact after the center line of the swing plane will direct the ball left, before the center line will direct the ball to the right)
Teaching Cues
Don’t be a cowardly lion- step into the box ready to attack the ball
Step- lead into the swing by opening the hips and preparing to drive the ball hard
Staring contest- don’t look away from the ball, follow its every move
Trigger- pull the bat back slightly over the strong shoulder for more power and to
adjust to the plane of the ball
Let it rip- swing through bringing the bat extended over the plate, making
solid contact with the ball, and continuing with the follow through
Lead Up/Modified Games
One possible lead up activity to game play could be practicing in some type of large, enclosed batting cage. Batters would stand beside a plate and be given a controlled pitch with the same speed and height each time to get the feel for making contact. The batter would then try to direct the ball to the left as a means of practicing control over the ball when making contact with the bat. It is a simple practice activity that allows the batter to focus solely on making contact with the ball and controlling where it goes into play without the stress of worrying about defense. A hitter is able to develop a routine and find the rhythm that will lead to the desired results of hitting the ball along the 3rd base line.
Because it is more likely that such a batting cage will not be available, there are more plausible games and modifications. For example, a game of baseball in which points are not scored only by the runner crossing the plate, but by where the ball travels when hit. Cones (carefully placed) or some sort of line can be used to determine points awarded to the batter for guiding the ball to the left side of the field. The bonus points would be used as an incentive to place the ball along the 3rd base line while remaining in fair territory. The exaggerated rule of scoring would be the only change to game play and all other primary rules remain in effect.
A third activity for this skill can also be intended to assist in fielding practice. The batter will be given a predetermined number of pitches or hits and will intend to aim toward the 3rd baseman. Regardless of whether the hit is a pop-up, line drive, or ground ball, the 3rd baseman will make the throw to 1st base in an effort to throw out the runner (there does not have to be an actual runner until the “last pitch” for each batter). This would require a pitcher (most likely to be the instructor), a 3rd baseman, a 1st baseman, a catcher, and other players to retrieve passed balls or those that are out of range for the 3rd baseman. A method of rotation would need to be determined as the instructor sees fit to ensure that all players are experiencing offense and defense from all angles.
The final modified game and activity discussed is best played with a wiffle or tennis ball for safety reasons. Playing the game in front of a *windowless* wall of some kind forces the batter to make a decision as they can not go through the blockade leaving only two options- over or around. If the wall is high enough, around would be the better option. If the wall is too short, then the “No hitting the ball over the wall” rule comes into affect. Players will need to develop their methods for pulling the ball to the side, which for the sake of this skill is toward the left side.
