subject: Getting Hit By A Pitch Can Be Downright Disheartening [print this page] If anyone involved in baseball coaching doesn't make this the first thing they teach a player, they are making a huge mistake. Especially, if it is a young player who is just learning the game of baseball. I can't think of ANY baseball tips on hitting that are more important.
Getting hit by a pitch can be a very serious matter and at times can be downright disheartening. It should be on the very top of the list of baseball coaching tips.
Unfortunately, many baseball players at ALL levels of play have not learned the proper way to get out of the way from an inside pitch. Even in the professional ranks, quite often it is not executed properly.
I find it bothersome that anyone involved in baseball coaching would not teach the proper way to do this BEFORE worrying about batting averages, hitting line drives and home runs. There is no excuse for this.
The Very Simple And Proper Way To Protect Yourself:
*You take your stride and see that the baseball is coming in your direction.
*You should fairly easily be able to tuck your head in and turn a quarter turn toward the catcher like you are going to have a nose to nose argument with him.
*Tuck your chin against your chest so your head is lowered and less exposed.
*It's the fastest, easiest and most effective way to protect your head, face, chest, stomach and groin area.
*The worse scenario would then be getting hit by the baseball in the upper back, mid or lower back, rear end or the back of your legs.
*It is absolutely necessary for you to protect your head and the entire front of your body!
*To keep it simple, tuck your head in and duck, putting your chin against your chest and bend and turn toward the catcher.
When a baseball player gets severely injured when hit by a pitch, it is a sad time for ALL who are involved, especially if it is a younger player. The entire ballpark gets very quiet. Suddenly, it doesn't matter what team you are on, what the score is or who you are rooting for.
Managers, coaches, umpires, players, and spectators, including relatives of the injured player will all be devastated. If at all possible, we want to avoid this.
Please learn this technique so we can all enjoy the baseball game itself. If you are involved in baseball coaching, please put this on the very top of your list of baseball tips on hitting, especially with younger players.
Let's worry about hitting for higher averages and hitting home runs later on!
