Hitting Tips to Improve your Baseball Swing

Pro Hitting Tips to improve your Baseball Swing; Free Baseball Instruction for How to Hit Better. 

Whether you are looking to develop sound hitting fundamentals or to refine your hitting mechanics, you’ll find pro hitting tips here.

The articles on this page are written by pro players to offer FREE hitting tips and instruction to help you improve your baseball swing.   And the best part is,  EVERY article on this site was written by a professional baseball player or coach.

Click on the red links to read the free baseball tips and instructional articles, hitting videos, illustrations and more.

Or click to read more about the source:  PBI Founder Doug Bernier and other pro Contributors

Pro Tips for How to Hit a Baseball

Baseball Swing MechanicsThese five articles give an in-depth breakdown of good hitting mechanics. Containing free professional hitting tips and instruction, these articles will help you take your swing to the next level.

  1. The Baseball Swing 1 – Rhythm
  2. The Baseball Swing 2 – Load
  3. The Baseball Swing 3 – Separation
  4. The Baseball Swing 4 – Weight Shift
  5. The Baseball Swing 5 – Decide and Release
7 Absolutes of How to Hit a BaseballDoug breaks down the baseball swing and give you seven things which all great hitters have in common when they hit a baseball.  These are some solid baseball hitting tips that can help you swing faster, hit harder, and bat more consistently.
5 Keys to hit for more power *Exclusively for those on our email list*  I’m giving free access to my 5 Point Power Booster – 5 Ways to hit for more power … this covers 5 key swing mechanics that you can change and see an immediate boost in your power… without lifting weights. Click here to join and get the videos for free
The Ideal Bat PathDoug breaks down the difference between a good bat path and a poor one.  A good bat path will keep your bat in the zone longer so you can connect with more baseballs on the sweet spot and have a better batting average.
Hitting philosophy and lineupHow to accurately evaluate yourself and know what kind of hitter you are.  The great thing about this game is there is room on every team and in the big leagues for all types of hitters.
Two Strike HittingDoug Bernier discusses common two-strike hitting approaches, and how to develop the two strike approach that works best for you.
How to Sacrifice BuntHow to bunt like a pro. Learn when the hitter should consider a sacrifice bunt, the best placement for the situation, and the proper way to execute the bunt so you can get it down every time.
How to Bunt for a HitHow to drag bunt or push bunt for a hit. A well-placed bunt can be an effective weapon against a tough pitcher. It can also be a good way to take advantage of a team with poor fielding skills, or it can be a good way for you to change things up if you are having a rough day. All in all, bunting is an important strategy to have in your hitting arsenal.
5 Pro Bunting Tips5 Pro Bunting Tips to improve your bunting mechanics
Advanced Bunting Strategy 1How reading the pitcher can improve your odds of successfully bunting for a hit.  This is advanced bunting strategy for players with good control over their bunt location
Types of PitchesHow to identify types of pitches, and know what each pitch does.
3 Tips for Hitting the Inside PitchWhen a pitch makes a mistake over the inner part of the plate, it’s time to make him pay!  3 common mistakes to avoid, plus tips for hitting the inside pitch
Baseball Hitting StrategyThe mental side of batting is just as important as your physical hitting approach.  This article provides mental hitting tips from professional players.
Proper Bat Grip and AngleYour grip is what connects you to the bat.  The way the bat is held in your hands significantly affects how the bat moves through the strike zone.
Open, Square, & Closed Batting StancesWhat the advantages and disadvantages are of open, square and closed batting stance.  This article is designed to help you understand your swing better and know which stance works best for you.
Situational HittingSituational hitting is important slice of a balanced offensive attack. Understanding baseball situations and how to hit properly in those situations set you up for a productive at bat, even if you don’t get a hit.  These batting tips will help you to be a valuable member of your team and more points on your scoreboard.
Offensive RoutinesWhat is an offensive or pregame routine? Why is it important? How do the pros get ready for a game? Doug explains batting practice, pregame routines, and game routines.
Baseball Hitting Drills for a Batting Tee***This is a digital book we have for sale, which includes a code to unlock 20 streaming HD videos – one explaining & demonstrating each drill.  All this for only $.50 cents per drill!  This is a project to help support the 100’s of pages of free pro instruction on this site.  Thanks for your support!Or if you prefer a physical book, you can purchase it here from Amazon (also unlocks the videos)

We are always adding more pro baseball tips.   Click here to subscribe to free videos and articles as they come out.

 

Lowliners Blog Posts – More tips for hitting

3 Tips for Hitting the Inside PitchPractical tips for hitting the insider pitch, plus common mistakes to avoid.
Exclusive from Cardinals Hitting CoordinatorCardinal’s Hitting Coordinator and former MLB outfielder Derrick May, shares hitting mechanics and mental strategy.
Linear vs Rotational Hitting styles

[VIDEO] MLB instructor talks through the 3 types of baseball swings (linear vs rotational hitting vs a 3rd option) by reviewing Jamey Carroll’s swing, Giancarlo Stanton’s swing, and Albert Pujols’s swing. 

Other free baseball tips from Pro Baseball Insider:

 

About Author

Avatar für Doug Bernier

Doug Bernier, founder of Pro Baseball Insider.com, debuted in the Major Leagues in 2008 with the Colorado Rockies, and has played professional baseball for 5 organizations (CO Rockies, NY Yankees, PIT Pirates, MN Twins, & TX Rangers) over the past 16 years. He has Major League time at every infield position, and has played every position on the field professionally except for catcher. (You should click to watch this great defensive play by Bernier) Where is he now? After 16 years of playing professionally, Doug retired and took a position as a Major League scout with the Colorado Rockies for 2 years. Currently Doug is the Data and Game Planning Coordinator with the Colorado Rockies

17 Comments

  1. Avatar für Alvin Choi

    This website helps me to grow to be a better hitter. Thank you so much for giving the information on how to improve hitting.

  2. Avatar für Mark Russell

    When I hit I tend to drop my hands resulting in popping the ball up or fouling it back. I have never had this problem before and it started recently. I have no idea what happened and I don’t know how to not drop my hands because I don’t feel like I’m dropping my hands at all. Can you tell me what I might be doing wrong and definitely give me advice on how to fix my swing.

  3. Avatar für Julian

    Im ending my sophomore year of high school baseball this year. I noticed that i had trouble hitting off pitchers who threw higher speeds like in the 80s. What can I do to be able to catch up to the ball? Also, my travel season is beginning and now I have trouble not popping the ball up, possibly because the pitching is slower. What drills can I do to prevent me from dropping my back shoulder and getting under the ball? Things seem good in practice, but it gets wary in-game. Thanks

  4. Avatar für nhiepphong

    Very nice and helpful post. it will give you a better chance to hit the ball on the good part of the bat.I have been looking into different bats.Thanks for this post.

  5. Avatar für Brian

    My son Bryce will be heading into his JR year and just competed in the NY State Prospect games which has got him noticed by various colleges that he is currently showcasing at almost every Sunday…ive noticed that he is very good middle to in hitter but struggles driving off speed outside pitches almost like he cant stay back so any help would be greatly appreciated

    • Avatar für Doug Bernier

      Brian,
      Good luck to your son. This is a very exciting time in his life. Let me start by saying driving pitches to the opposite field is one of the hardest things to do as a hitter and is usually the last skill hitters develop. Bryce is not alone. I really believe working off a tee on the outer half of the plate and straight on soft toss can get him many reps to work on hitting the ball to the opposite field. I’ve had similar struggles and changing my mental plan at the plate really helped. I stopped looking for fastballs to pull. I’m looking at taking a fastball right down the middle and hitting it right back up the middle. I look down the middle because if the pitch is away its only a few inch adjustment rather than “look away and adjust in” which is a 17 inch adjustment and is too difficult as pitch velocity increases. Also timing wise if I’m looking to hit a fastball in the area from up the middle to where the second baseman plays (I’m a right handed hitter) if an offspeed pitch comes in, that I can hit, I should be able to pull it with authority.
      Many people talk about hitting the offspeed pitches the other way. When I am hitting my best and also when you look at highlights on sportstcenter what are most hitters doing with offspeed pitches that they can handle? They pull them. Good offspeed pitches that are kept down are not meant to be hit very hard. Now offspeed pitches that are left up, or are thrown early in the count for a “get me over strike” are good hitting. If you are truley looking to drive a fastball up the middle to slightly opposite field you should be able to pull the offspeed pitches.

      This approach is not easy because we all know how fun it is to look fastball in and smash it. The only problem is that as pitchers get better they don’t give you as many “cookies” inside. If he can be stubborn and commit to looking to hit the fastball up the middle to the opposite gap it will really help Bryce with handling fastballs on the outer part of the plate as well as handling offspeed pitches.

      I hope this helps and good luck to you and Bryce.

      Doug Bernier

  6. Avatar für Mark Benetsky
    Mark Benetsky on

    I am an assistant coach at a high school in Bethlehem Pa. We are trying to figure out a drill to have a hitter use more hip drive through the swing. Do you have any suggestions, also I really enjoy the site.

  7. Avatar für Mario

    Hi I’m a high school varisty outfielder but my hitting has been lacking. I was wondering if there is any way I could send in a video of myself into you guys. If/ when you see this comment could you email me at thepuze97@gmail.com?

  8. Avatar für Are these instructions sold on a DVD?
    Are these instructions sold on a DVD? on

    My 8 year old boy is on a travel ball team. He hits “fine”, but he wants to learn to be a power hitter. I need to purchase a dvd for this instruction. Private pitching lessons for 6 months have cost a lot. I need a financial break. A DVD would be the answer. If you do NOT sell these instructions of DVD, can you recommend a good one?
    Thanks,
    Candie Brauner

  9. Avatar für Johnathan Beretta

    There is a lot of very poor hitting instruction information out there can can confuse and lead young hitters in the wrong direction. I think it was Mike Epstein, who commented on, how we don’t seem to teach what we see the best hitters actually doing, when it comes to hitting mechanics. Nice to see a website with hitting instruction information, from people who actually know what they are talking about. And more importantly have actually done it successfully, and done it at a high level.

    wiffleball pitching machines

    Keep up the good work.

  10. Avatar für Dan

    I use a 33/30 M9 T141 and can square the ball up nicely. I also have a M9 C271 NC and cant hit the ball solid. I have been looking into different bats, and knkow that my 141 barrel is medium. How do you feel about Large and Extra Large barrel bats?

    • Avatar für Doug Bernier

      Dan,
      Thanks for your question. I am glad you feel comfortable with the T141, one thing I found is that if you find a bat you can hit the ball well with, stay with it. But to answer your question, large and extra large barreled bats provide a larger sweet spot to hit the ball. That is fairly self explanatory, it will give you a better chance to hit the ball on the good part of the bat. However, if you are to keep the same length to weight ratio that you used with your T141 (-3 oz) your large barrel bats will be less dense wood and will be softer than your smaller barreled bats. There is a balance, with a smaller barrel bat (c271) if you square it up the ball may go a little further, but you may not square it up as often. I personally have tried many types of models and I have settled on a medium barrel and I feel that works for me. Find a bat that feels comfortable, that is most important.

      Doug Bernier

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