The Youth Baseball Coach

Level: 1

Purpose:  To teach your hitters to watch the ball all the way to the bat.

Equipment: bat and balls 

Description:  One of the keys to hitting is seeing the ball.  Many times the cause of a player missing the ball when he swings is because he takes his eyes off of it.  It is critical as a hitter to watch the ball "flatten" against the bat. 

Execution:  Have the player step into the batters box against live pitching.  Instruct the player to start their swing, but do not actually swing.  Instead, have them watch the ball all the way through the strikezone and into the catcher's glove (or to the backstop).  This will require the player to watch the ball and turn his head as it passes through the strike zone.  Repeat this several times and try to get the player into the habit of keeping his eye on the ball.  After a few minutes you can alternate by giving them instruction as you are in the windup.  "Hit" means they will be swinging and "Watch" means they will not swing but watch the ball past the plate. 

Saying:  You can't hit what you can't see