hands
away: A
hand position in which the hands are located away from the body. Starting
with the hands in this position results an outside-in hand path and
swing unless a hitter loads by bringing his hands back toward the body.
Hitters who keep their hands away from their bodies normally handle
the inside pitches well, pulling the ball. They have difficulty on pitches
away and offspeed pitches. A hand position too far away from the body
makes it impossible to stay inside the ball.
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hands,
hide the: A
term that describes the hand position upon loading. When the striding
foot lands and front shoulder is closed, the hands would be difficult
to be seen by the pitcher, thus the term “hide the hands”.
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hands,
high: A
hand position that is above the back shoulder. The higher the hands
start, the further they are from contact. Starting with extremely
high hands requires them to drop before they load. An excessive
dropping of the hands is referred to as a “hitch”.
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hands,
low: A
hand position that is considerably below armpit height, with the forearm
of the bottom hand below parallel to the ground. Starting with
the hands in this position requires a load that moves the hands upward considerably.
Failure to do so results in the hands are being considerably lower than
the front shoulder, guaranteeing a lifting or uppercut swing plane.
Click for Illustration
hands,
barrel above: See
barrel above hands.
hands,
dead: Refers
to a state of “no movement” or cocking action of the hands.
hands
inside the ball: This
phrase describes a hand path that moves inside-out to the ball. On an
inside pitch, it may require a hitter to delay extending the front arm
in order to get the hands through, staying inside the ball. This maneuver
shortens the swing arc and allows the hitter to get to the inside pitch
faster. Thinking hands inside also helps square the bat head and keep
the ball fair.
Click for Illustration
Click Red Dot for Drills
to Develop an Inside-Out Swing
hands,
noisy: This
phrase refers to excessive hand movement while preparing to swing. Excessive
movement can put the hands out of position when it is time for them
to go forward, resulting in “not being ready”. This can also cause “poor
timing”.
hands,
quiet: This
phrase refers to hands with a minimal amount of movement when preparing
to swing.
hands
outside the ball: A
phrase to describe the position of the hands as they approach contact
in relation to the flight of a pitched ball. The hands would be on the
opposite side of the path, away from the body, or outside the ball.
This normally results in a round swing with a tendency to pull
the ball.
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Click Red Dot for Drills
to Correct an Outside-In Swing
happy
zone: A
term that describes the location of a pitch in which a hitter consistently
drives the ball. This varies among hitters. When the count
is a hitter’s count,
a hitter should narrow the strike zone and look for a pitch in his
happy zone to drive. Think hit, hit, hit, and take if it is not in your
happy zone. Look for a pitch you can drive, if it’s not there, take
it. There’s no need to just make contact and hit a weak ground ball
when you can get your pitch and drive it! You are ahead in the count,
sit on your pitch!
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hard
inside, soft away: A
phrase that describes a pitching philosophy of attacking hitters. Throw
the hard stuff inside, perhaps even off the plate inside to keep the
hitter honest ( from leaning out over the plate, or looking away). After
moving a hitter back, throw soft stuff (breaking balls, and changeups)
down and away. Unless a hitter is disciplined
and able to keep his hands back, this style of pitching will result
in weak contact.
head
position: A
term that describes the position of the head at various stages of the
swing. In the stance, the head position should be such that allows vision
with both eyes. As the swing begins, the head should stay relatively
still, however, it may move slightly forward depending on the amount
of weight transfer. Regardless, the head should not lower. This adversely
affects vision and tracking ability. At contact, the head should be
at approximately the same position. When viewing from the open side
(belly button side), it would remain just behind the centerline of the
body. Many speak of the head starting just inside the front shoulder,
and finishing just inside the back shoulder (shoulder to shoulder),
remaining relatively unchanged.
Click for Drills
to Develop a Quiet Head
head
still: See
head position.
head
flies out: A
term used to describe the movement of the head during the swing away
from the path of the pitch, resulting in inability to properly visualize
the pitch.
Click for Illustration
head
movement: A
term that loosely describes excessive head movement during the swing.
See head position.
hips
under you: See
back hip commitment.
hips
rotate: A
term used to describe hip action in a rotational
type hitter. Hip rotation is used to increase the angular velocity of
the bat head during the swing. See back
hip commitment for a more detailed explanation.
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hit
and run: A
offensive play in which a the base runner is stealing, regardless of
the type jump he gets. The hitter must swing the bat to protect the
runner stealing. Ideal contact would be a ground ball, behind the runner
into the hole vacated by the fielder covering for the steal. This could
result in the baserunner moving to third on the play. Normally a hit
and run play is used on a fast ball count with one out. Sometimes this
play is effective with a hitter who is struggling at the plate because
it forces him to swing and not think.
hit
the inside of ball: A
phrase that creates a mental picture to a hitter regarding an inside
bat path to contact. It’s hard to hit the inside of the ball, but thinking
this will help stay inside, resulting in square contact. During tee
drills, place the ball on the tee with the small seams (two seams closest
together) perpendicular to the ground, facing the catcher. Instruct
a hitter to hit the inside seam (one nearest him). This will focus his
attention on hitting the inside of the ball.
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hitch:
A
dropping and lifting action of the hitter’s hands as a pitched ball
approaches the plate. This can be the result of high hands, or could
be used as a trigger mechanism. A hitch can cause problems if the hands
are not in position to move directly to the ball when they must go forward.
Click for Illustration
hitch
position: A
term that refers to the position the hands move to as the striding foot
touches the ground, also referred to by some as the launch
position.
hitter, dead stop: A
term that describes a hitter who has no rhythm or movement in his stance.
This type of hitter has no loading mechanism which results in the front
side flying open as their first move forward.
Click Red Dot for Drills
to Develop Rhythm
home
plate: The
base at which a hitters takes a stance. The plate is 17” wide and is
17” from the middle of the front to the back tip next to the catcher.
The plate measures 8 1/2 inches down the side parallel to the batters
box (middle corner), where it turns 45 degrees running to the back point.
The middle corner is the midpoint of the batters box.
Click for Illustration