Disrupting Timing

I'm not sure if anyone else saw Max Scherzer take full advantage of the new pitch clock rules, if you didn't, I would check it out. This is why I want to talk about preparing hitters to be on time today.

Timing is everything in hitting, we know this. However, knowing it and helping hitters be on time are different things. 

"Unfortunately," most don't practice it correctly.

Hitters need an adjustable move

• What if a pitcher slide steps?

• Should you take the pitch? 

• When to start your move?

• What is your intent?

Let's talk about helping hitters develop an adjustable move to be on time. 

Step 1: Mess with their timing

Traditional batting practice is a coach throwing or, nowadays, a coach putting a ball in a machine. The hitter has plenty of time to get their move off.

That's great if everything goes to plan. However, the pitcher (if he's good) is trying to disrupt their timing during the game. He's going to work fast, slide step, and change speeds. So before the game in BP, why not try to disrupt a hitter's timing? 

Regular 

Slide Step 

Johnny Cueto

There's a time and place for easy BP, but we want to get to a place where that's limited to a few rounds. The best players want to be challenged. 

Step 2: Shut it down

So let's say a hitter does get fooled, and they have less than two strikes on them.

They weren't ready for the pitch, or maybe they didn't get their move off in time. Instead of rushing and putting a ball in play on a bad swing, why not just take the pitch?  Nobody wants to take a FB right down the middle of the plate, but I'd rather have an 0-1 count than be 0-1 after I put a weak ball in play. 

The key here is, as a coach being okay with this. Most hitters are afraid to take a strike for fear of getting yelled at. 

Here is a secret: Have you ever watched a professional hitter take a pitch and say, "What is he thinking? That was right down the middle?" Well, I can promise you, sometimes it's because, as I stated above, they know they didn't start their move on time or didn't pick the ball well.

This is part of the art of hitting. Know yourself and the situation.

Step 3: Visuals 

Your brain doesn't know the difference between your imagination and reality. Let's take advantage of that. Watching videos of the starting pitcher that day can be beneficial. When I was with the Orioles, I would make gifs of the starting pitcher's pitches and then show them to the players via PowerPoint.

This way, they could see his traditional move and each pitch's release point.  

This allows the hitters to think about how their move stacks up with the pitcher. When do they need to start their move to be on time? They can begin to visualize that pitcher throwing to them.

For coaches who don't have access to video, you can at least watch the pitcher warming up. Or find a similar comp to the pitcher you're facing today and show the players that video. 

You can even do what I did and bring a TV monitor to the field.

To Recap

1. Mess with hitter's timing in practice

2. Be okay with them taking a pitch 

3. Show visuals for them to create their own process

The Science of Hitting with Chad Miller

This weeks podcast episode is with the Co-Founder of the Louisville Slugger Science Hitting Center. 

→ If you want to get into bat fitting, technology in hitting, and force plates, this episode is for you. Patrick Jones Baseball Podcast