05/12/2022
For my first post I wanted to discuss what I believe is the most important part of hitting....
COMFORT
Hitting starts with comfort. A hitter needs to feel comfortable in the box to be able to be the best hitter they can be. "elbow up" or "Sit back" are important reminders for some hitters, but it is not a universal truth to being a good hitter. As you see in these pictures all these players have a little different stance. Hands, legs, feet, open or closed etc. These hitters are comfortable and ready to hit. When a hitter is comfortable they will be able to focus on the task at hand.
Comfort, however, does take time and practice. An important aspect to developing a successful hitter, in my opinion, is letting each player get ready to hit and see how they set up in their natural stance. Once that is established is when you start to make small adjustments to allow the hitter to remain in as natural and as comfortable of a position as possible. If you look at hitters who have had different stances throughout their career and compare, a vast majority are very minor adjustments. Hands a little higher or lower. A little more crouched or upright. Those adjustments made those hitters comfortable at that time and worked for them.
In another post I will go over what is a universal truth of hitting, which ishaving your foot down early and your hands back ready to explode. If you look at these hitters, along with all others, when theytake their stride and are about to swing, they will have their front foot down and hands back.
Hitting is a constantly evolving skill, but I believe comfort is the foundation for which all great hitters build.
