How many times have you heard someone say, “the game of baseball/softball is a game of failure?” followed by, “the best hitters fail 70% of the time?”

This statement is not factually true. However, most believe it because it’s been told to them repeatedly. This statement puts hitters in a negative mental state before they arrive at the plate. Hitters need to understand that failure isn’t because they didn’t get a hit to get on base.

Think about this, if a player hits the ball and it’s a fly-out or ground-out, that’s not failure! Putting the ball in play is what is supposed to be done. For example, hitting a hard, line drive and the shortstop reacts quickly, dives to their right, and makes a play that would be on ESPN’s Top 10 may be recorded as an out, but did you fail? No. You hit the ball that was put in play. 

Most of us know how difficult hitting is! Trying to hit a round ball, that has possible up or down movement, inside or out, and varies in speed, with a round bat isn’t so easy. The average reaction time for a hitter is only 0.7 seconds to get the bat around and make contact. So what should be done so hitters can break the mental block of 70% failure? Here are some basic things that hitters should begin to focus on:

1. Mind Set – Control what you can control! Be present, plain and simple. As a hitter, your job is to put the ball in play. Once you hit the ball, you have no control over anything the fielders do – it’s out of your hands.
2. Self-Control – You can only control YOU! You can’t control the weather, the fielders skill-level, the umpire’s strike zone, the field condition, etc.
3. Strive to have a Quality At Bat (QAB) – This is what coaches track in the long-run. QAB is defined as: An at-bat in which the batter is productive in a way that fits the situation; whether that involves advancing the runner with a sacrifice bunt or even a ground ball out, getting on base, or making the pitcher throw a lot of pitches. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glossary_of_baseball_(Q))
4. Be Prepared. Work on your mechanics everyday – soft toss, tee work, mirror work (visuals are great) and cage work. Know your strengths and weakness – know your “zone,” the area you hit best, and know your weak zone (the area you have a tough time hitting). Watch the pitcher warm up, and while pitching to your teammates. Have the thought you are going up to the plate to swing (load to start your swing) and have a short memory (learn and move forward).

To conclude, here at Top Prospects Training Facility we emphasize in our lessons to go up with an approach when stepping into the batter’s box. Feeling comfortable and not overcomplicating things will make each opportunity a new one! Lastly, recognize the goal is to DO DAMAGE! JUST MAKING CONTACT IS NOT GOOD ENOUGH! FINISH YOUR SWING!