How to Improve Your Baseball And Softball Swing

How many times have you (or someone you know) gotten up to bat aiming for the grand slam into the stands only to crank out a disappointing grounder to the first basemen? It's discouraging, I know. Don't let it defeat you. There are ways to become a better batter. Read on and put these tips and techniques into play.

Sight: Remember all the times your dad and your coach were yelling, "keep your eye on the ball"? They were right! Perfecting your swing requires major hand-eye coordination. Before you can learn to place a ball, hit one over the fence, or put a bunt in a certain spot, you must learn to make eye contact with it. Keeping your eye on the ball is the key to becoming a better hitter.

As a softball player, I find it much easier to zone in on a pitch when I am not looking directly at the ball before the pitcher releases it. Focus on something else before the pitch and then dart your eyes to the ball upon release. You can get a better read on the ball and a better feel for where it is headed. Once you can spot the ball perfectly, you can work on the other elements of batting that will help to make you the all star you are destined to be.

Timing: While your hand-eye coordination is a huge factor, timing is also a very important aspect of your hit. It can play into where you want to hit the ball, how hard you hit it and whether you foul it off or swing and miss. If a pitch is coming slower, you want to be out in front of it. If it comes faster, you want to be behind. You can learn this by watching a pitcher against other batters and practice your swing along with them. The best way I can explain this is to allow one pitch to cross the plate without swinging. Count in your head the amount of time it takes the ball to get to you from the second it leaves the pitchers hand -- 1, 2...catcher's glove. Then practice your swing. How long does it take from start to finish on your swing?

Are you slower or faster than the pitch? Based upon this, you can determine if you need to back up, or move forward in the batters box. Forward means you swing faster than the ball being pitched. If you swing slower, move back in the box. This will allow you a little more time to get your swing around and make a connection with the ball. Timing is critical for ball placement and will determine how hard and far that ball will travel.

Stance: Play around with your stance when you are practicing. Stance will be a big part of your power in a hit. To start, make sure your knees are bent slightly. Stand with your feet about shoulder width apart and shift your weight onto your back leg. I usually tilt my front foot up onto my toes to ensure I don't put weight on it. Your front leg is going to be the leg your step forward with as your swing through the ball. Taking a step pushes the momentum of your swing allowing you to drive the ball harder and further. The size of the stride you take will be entirely up to you. Just make sure you figure out what works best for you and what you are most comfortable doing.

Swing: Everyone is a little different when it comes to their swing and what works best for them. There are a few general things you must know to give yourself a flawless swing. When you are practicing, stand at the plate in your normal batting stance and hold the bat up on your back shoulder as if you are getting ready to really swing. Do a slow motion swing and stop as soon as your arms are completely stretched out in front of you over the middle of the plate. Your hips should be slightly rotated forward. Look down at your arms in this position. They should form a perfect V, narrow end at your hands, wide end at your chest, and the bat should be straight out in front of you. Look at it, if the bat is still pointed towards the back, your swing is not correct. The bat must be directly in front of you. You want a straight line coming from your back shoulder all the way to the tip of the bat. This will be the exact position you need to hit the ball in. Your point of contact with the ball should be when you are forming this "V". This is known and the "sweet spot" and will allow for a much more powerful swing. Be absolutely sure that your follow through with your swing. Don't just stop it upon contact. I was taught to swing through so the bat hits my opposite shoulder. If you are holding the bat up at your back shoulder, you want to swing through enough to have your hands completely make contact with your front shoulder. When teaching I call this "Mike and Ike" - make up whatever story you'd like...but your swing goes from Mike (back shoulder) to Ike (front shoulder).

Always remember that "practice makes perfect". You must practice your butt off if you expect to see results. Even the most perfect of batters goofs up now and then, expect it. Stay positive and stay focused. You can do anything you set your mind to.