Baseball players at every level share one common goal: connecting bat to ball more consistently. A hitter’s batting average tells the story of their success at the plate, but upping your stats is easier said than done. Below, we offer a few tips for increasing your batting average, whether you’re playing baseball or softball.
Perfect Your Stance
Your batting stance is the foundation of a successful at-bat. If you want to get more power behind each swing and drive the ball further and harder, focusing on your footwork is a good place to start. Begin with your feet shoulder-width apart, evenly distributing your weight and pointing your front foot slightly toward the pitcher while keeping your back foot parallel to the plate.
Against fastball pitchers, an open stance can help you react to inside pitches, while a closed stance may improve your ability to handle off-speed pitches from breaking ball specialists. Small adjustments can make a big difference in your performance at the plate.
Learn To Recognize Pitches
Elite hitters stand out with superior pitch recognition skills, allowing them to quickly identify pitch type, location, and speed. This split-second advantage helps them make better decisions at the plate. Train your eyes to pick up the pitcher’s release point immediately, observing how the ball leaves their hand.
Preparation is key—study pitchers before stepping into the batter’s box. While you’re on the bench or in the batter’s box, pay close attention to the opposing pitcher’s tendencies in different counts and their pitch sequences. Recognizing when he wants to throw a fastball or a breaking ball will put you in control of the at-bat.
Increase Bat Speed
Another tip for increasing your batting average is to work on your bat speed. Speed is crucial when swinging a bat as it gives you more time to recognize pitches and adjust your swing. It also generates more force and translates to a higher exit velocity on contact, which means a better chance of productive hits than outs.
To build bat speed, focus on strengthening your hands and wrists with exercises like wrist curls and grip routines. Keep your hands close to your body during the load and take the shortest path directly to the ball. Eliminate unnecessary movements that slow your swing and make it harder to catch up to fast pitches.
Strengthen Your Body
Lastly, physical conditioning and endurance will also help you win more at-bats. A strong core generates more rotational power and maintains balance during your swing. Focus on exercises that fully develop your core muscles for more power and balance when you swing.
Leg strength is equally important as it provides the foundation for power and stability. Exercises like squats, lunges, and plyometrics build lower body strength for explosive movements and a stable stance during swings. Along with core training, a well-rounded conditioning program keeps your mechanics consistent throughout long games and seasons.
Transform Your Performance Starting Today
To improve at the plate, hitters need a reliable and balanced foundation, a mental edge in pitch recognition, a fast bat, and a strong body. Gradually implement these techniques, mastering one at a time through repetition. Stay committed, and your skills—and batting average—will steadily improve.
