E-Train Sports - Hit by the Pitch


email
Password

Hitting

:: Hit by the Pitch

Objective

Players will practice the proper technique of getting out of the way when being hit by a pitch.

Setup

A batter will stand against a fence so that when the coach throws the baseball the fence acts as a backstop. Coach will stand 10 yards away and have 3-4 tennis balls or foam balls in hand.

Procedure

1.	Batter will get in their natural hitting stance and face the coach who is acting as the pitcher.
2.	When the batter is ready the coach will throw the ball firmly but not hard at the hitter's body, legs and arms.
3.	As soon as the player realizes that the pitch is heading towards their body they will immediately tuck their elbows inside their body and turn away from the pitch.
4.	While the batter is turning away from the pitch they should lower their bat head to the ground or waist level to prevent the ball from hitting the bat.
5.	Also the batter should bend away from the pitched ball so that the ball will glance off the body instead of hitting it square.
6.	Repeat a couple of more times until the batter feels comfortable getting out of the way.

Coaching Tips

It's important that the batter tuck their elbows inside their body as they turn. The elbows aren't as protected by muscle as the rest of the body.

Never allow a player to turn and back away from the pitch if possible exposing their face to injury. Always turn away and duck.

Remind the players that being hit by the pitch is just as good as a single in order to start a rally.

Product Links