I love baseball, but I suck at it. Any suggestions on how I can improve?

[Anonymous]

I know practice, practice, practice, but I was wondering if anyone could give me any tips on how to become better quicker, or a trick to help me out.

My main problem is I can't make contact with the ball. When I hit it the ball easily makes it to mid-outfield, but I rarely make contact.

My lack of ability usual gets me some disdain from my teammates.

Any advice?

[madhatters4]

eyes always open. I big issue in hitting is people either closing their eyes or moving their eyes from the pitch to the field as they swing. watch the bat hit the ball.

then I'd just suggest batting practice. either on a field... which I think is better bcause you can practice directional hitting but otherwise get in the batting cages.

you could pay for instruction that will help figure out the flaws in your approach (stance, swing, etc)

[garydeanbaker]

get on a team somewhere... if you can hit and throw you'll make it... you just need 1 on 1 instruction... Whats your favorite team?

[Asker]

What do you mean my favorite team?

[garydeanbaker]

Your favorite MLB team... you said you love baseball...

[Asker]

Yankees, I don't follow the players very close, but I watch most of their games.

[garydeanbaker]

How can you love baseball and not follow the MLB?

[Betwyn]

Practice, Practice, Practice.

That part, is pretty much all hand/eye co-ordination.

You need to be able to recognize which balls are not hittable, and let them go by..

As for the hittable ones.. the more you do it, the better feel you will have for when to swing..

[Asker]

I can recognize a good ball, but I can't hit it. Thanks :)

[rotinaj10]

She's right about the eye hand coordination. Got to keep your eye on the ball. Don't over swing, just try to make consistent contact. After you get that down you can start working on footwork and hand position. Try having someone soft toss to you and try to hit the ball with a one arm swing. If you're a righty use your left hand and right if you're left handed. If you want to get better you have to start at the beginning.

[Anonymous]

Record yourself swinging at the ball. You'll be able to see what you're doing wrong and it'll be easier to correct if you can see it from a different perspective.

[ImCoasting]

You don't have a coach? Try going to a batting cage and get some practice that way.

[Asker]

I did, but that was a few years ago and I stopped playing because I was that bad. I joined the team this year because I need to do something or I'll lose my mind. Thanks, I'm actually going to one this weekend.

[rotinaj10]

Start small. Hitting off a tee is the best way to improve your swing.