Hitting Starts with attitude
Have you given any thought as to what you look like when you walk up to the plate and get in the batter’s box. How would someone describe you? Would they say, “He doesn’t look too sure of himself”, or “Wwoo! That guy looks like he means business”? The attitude you take to the plate will dictate the rest of your at-bat. Who do you think will have more success? The guy who steps up to the plate timid and scared or the guy who digs in with confidence and looks to do damage? You have to want to hit, being ready to get a good pitch to drive.
Your at-bat doesn’t start once the pitcher throws the ball it starts in the on-deck-circle. While you are on deck is not the time to say hi to mom and dad or to talk about last night’s TV show with your teammates. This is the time when you get yourself mentally ready to hit. While on-deck you need to know the situation. It is a time to get loose, time the pitcher (getting used to hit delivery), and watch his release point. Once it is your turn to hit walk up to the plate confidently thinking about how you will succeed. When you get in the box your attitude must be that you OWN the BOX, and that you OWN the Strike zone. They do not belong to the pitcher; as a hitter, I am in control. I dictate what happens this at-bat. He (the pitcher) is the one who has to throw the ball into my strike zone.
For some players it helps to even talk out loud to himself. For example, “I can handle anything this guy has. Get a good pitch and drive it.” Use only positive thoughts and words. For example, if you tell yourself, “Don’t swing at the high pitch.” What is your brain thinking about? The high pitch, making you more likely to swing at it. Instead say, “get a ball down in the zone.” Again, if you tell yourself or a player, “Hey don’t strike out here.” The brain hears “strike out”. Instead, tell yourself, “Hey I still got one left. I can handle it. Protect and stay aggressive.” Focusing on the postitive action, as opposed to avoiding the negative, is much more condusive to achieving success.
Leaving Mechanics in the Cage
You can work on your swing all day. You can swing 1000 swings per day. (And I do encourage players of all ages to swing alot.) However, when you walk up to the plate and dig in the box, you must leave mechanics in the cage. You have to trust that your hard work will pay off in the game. Players will get paralyzed at the plate if they are trying to do do everything mechanically. In the game you have to let it go and be aggressive and confident.
Now, say you are out front and early on a couple pitches. You can and should make an adjustment, like by telling yourself to stay back or to go to the opposite field. But that is not a mechanical adjustment; rather it is a mental adjustment.
Now Go Up to the Plate with Resolve and Confidence!
Danny is an outfielder in the Oakland A’s organization & reports this week to Spring Training. He spent the 2008 season playing for the AAA affiliate in Sacremento, CA.
