BY: James Vilade / Head Baseball Coach - The University of Texas at Tyler

James Vilade is the Head Baseball Coach and Director of Athletics at The University of Texas at Tyler.  Coach Vilade has coached NCAA Baseball for over ten years and has compiled a record of (273-93 as a head coach).  His experience includes being a hitting instructor with the Texas Rangers AA team in 2007 and 2008.  In 2008 The Frisco RoughRiders were named Minor League Baseball team of The Year.

Through the course of a season players look for the magic adjustment to make it all click,  at the same time coaches look for the magical words that may unlock a swing and make it go.

Hitting mechanics play a big role in the success of a hitter, repeating quality mechanics plays an even bigger role.  Hitting coaches that find themselves harping on mechanics all the time can find themselves in a position of frustrating hitters while running out of things to say to a hitter that are meaningful.

When hitters take the field for live batting practice this is very special time.  To make the time count, coaches have to do a great job of balancing the mechanics while teaching hitters to respond to the variety of situations they may hit in during a game.  Teaching the hitters to identify situations and recognize what is happening in the game can take pressure off mechanics and result in more success on the diamond.

Let me give you a game situation for a hitter:

Example:  Runner on first - Hitter comes to the plate - Zero outs - No score in game - First pitch* Wild pitch runner advances - Runner on second no outs - Second pitch*  Runner steals third batter takes pitch  - Count is now 2-0 with a runner on third.

In this situation the batter has seen two pitches and is in his third hitting situation of the at bat. Does he recognize this or did the situations pass him by.   Is he so worried about the perfect swing that he fails understand why he is even at the plate.

To simplify an offensive approach remember this - the game tells you where to hit the ball.  This is the reason why all the mechanical work has to match up with meaningful situational hitting.

Here is a solid routine to create meaningful batting practice on the field to compliment all of the mechanical work you are doing with your players.

Safety Reminder: Always have a helmet on your hitter and baserunners at all times.

Round 1 (Start with Runner on 1B) runner will advance on the bases during the BP round as the hitters execute the situation.  Having a runner on base helps the hitter see the situation better and is a constant reminder that he has a job to do.  In a group of four hitters start the round with the fourth hitter on first and when the first hitter is done he now becomes the baserunner at first.  Remember your baserunner needs to go game speed on the first or second pitch.

Swings            Goal                            Focus / Hitting Reminder

2                      opposite field              Hitting behind runners / no weak flyballs

2                      middle of field                        Moving Runners From 2B to 3B / no ground balls to 3B

2                      drive gap to gap          Score runner from 3B / drive the ball to mid of field

1                      sac bunt                       Always work bunts on the field to both lines.  Ending rounds

with a bunt keeps the BP pace up

Notes:  Working to the opposite field early in the BP rounds will always help the hitter stay inside the ball and work a shorter swing early to keep him under control.

Round 2 (Start with runner on 1B) Runner will advance on the bases during the BP round as the hitter executes the situation.

Swings            Goal                            Focus / Hitting Reminder

2                      Hit and run                  Hit behind runner move him to 3B / work on top of ball

Runner can stop at second to be ready for next situation

2                      Move Runner              Move runner from 2B with chance to score / avoid flyballs

2                      Score Runner / 3B       Score runner from 3B / work to middle of field

Tell batter where the infield is playing - up - back etc.

This will help the hitter with what pitch he should be looking for before the pitch is thrown

1                      Squeeze Bunt              Get the ball on the ground away from pitcher

Help your hitters with squeeze by having them pay attention to the timing of the pitchers delivery - can’t be early or late on a squeeze as a hitter.

Notes:  The pace of the game speeds up for players when they are put in situations where they have to be specific. Most hitters are comfortable hitting with a five run lead and nobody on but Round 2 is where they really need to relax and process the game.

Round 3 (No Baserunners)

Swings            Goal                            Focus / Hitting Reminder

5 to 7               Match up round          Individual Situations / Work on being a offensive player

The match up round allows a coach to dictate the last round by giving hitters specific goals.  This is a round where your fast centerfielder may bunt four times and hit and run three times, while your (DH) may hit with a runner on third and no outs the entire time.  This is your call as a coach.

Mixing up situations that cater to your player’s offensive abilities will make them better offensive players while recognizing situations.  The first two rounds work towards common situations, the last round works the individual and his role in your lineup.

The goal of a hitting coach is obvious - develop hitters.  Remember in developing hitters meaningful batting practice is a situational must.

JAMES VILADE