Principles of Effective Hitting

Mustangs and Mustang Fans,

What follows is a short piece by Coach Matt Breuer in his own words outlining how to apply an effective approach at the plate. As with everything, your own approach may have some tweaks around the edges, but the basic outline here is outstanding ... and effective.

Matt is as smart as any hitter that has ever played for us. So, pay attention ... and apply the knowledge:

"Something I've noticed in our team so far this year, is a lack of uniformity when it comes to batting and how we go about doing it. It's good to identify these sorts of things early in the season so that we have time to work through them and become better players because of it.

"Below is a list of things that will improve your approach at the plate and make you much better hitters. I will be harping on you guys about these things because, if followed, they'll make you all better, smarter hitters.

"I. Know the Pitcher Before You Go to the Plate

"This means you need to observe the pitcher during his warm-up and throughout the game. The time you have in the dugout is an excellent opportunity to study the pitcher and learn everything you can about him. A player that goofs off or doesn't pay attention while in the dugout puts himself at a disadvantage by failing to learn everything he can about the pitcher. Think of it this way: If you were going into battle against a formidable opponent, would you want to walk into the fight blind, or would you try to learn everything you possibly could about the person who you're about to go to battle against? By observing the pitcher, you give yourself a fighting chance by familiarizing yourself with how he throws.

"Ask yourself questions like: What sort of patterns does he follow? Does he throw a specific pitch on a certain count? Does he show his pitch early? What does his delivery look like?

"II. Breathe

"You would be surprised how essential this is. It's also a very underused tool. It allows for increased bloodflow to your brain and to your muscles, but more importantly it helps clear your mind and allows you to act on instinct instead of letting your mind become clouded by thoughts and distractions. Excessive thinking is a hitter's worst enemy.

"While on deck, begin taking deep breaths and letting them out slowly. It's an excellent thing to add to your routine in between pitches.

"III. Have a Routine

"As mentioned at the retreat, a routine is something that you do repeatedly and become used to doing. A routine is essential to becoming a good hitter because as you go through the motions before, or during, an at-bat, it puts you in a state of mind to hit. If done consistently, a routine helps your brain make the connection between that routine and the fact that it's time to hit.

"If you don't already have a routine for in-between pitches, get one. I would recommend something involving a deep breath or two, a shrug of your shoulders, or maybe something to help you get mentally prepared. Do whatever feels most comfortable to you. If you have a question about something to add to your routine, ask a coach.

"IV. Use Broad to Fine Focus

"IF YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND THIS TALK TO ONE OF THE COACHES. It is an essential part of hitting and will benefit you greatly if you use it. I don't think I can explain it very well through text.

"V. Have a Plan

"It amazes me how many people go up to the plate without the slightest idea of what they are going to do or how they plan to hit the baseball. Truly, it does. Getting in the box and swinging at the first thing you see is not a plan of attack. Look at the stuff below and learn it well, because this is the approach you should take to the plate every time you step in the batter's box.

"If the count is 0-0, 1-0, 2-0, or 3-0 (No strikes on you, the batter) :

"The only reason you should ever swing at a pitch at this point is if you see your pitch. When I say "your pitch" I mean the pitch that you like to hit the most, your favorite pitch. Personally, mine was up and in. If it was any of the above counts and I saw a pitch that wasn't "my pitch", I didn't swing at it. Even if it was a strike. This is because you still have strikes to give up, and if you wait instead of hacking at a pitch that you don't like, you're more likely to see a better pitch. However, this is NOT an excuse to be passive at the plate. If you see your pitch, beat the living tar out of it.

"Also, if you have a 3-0 count and you swing at anything but a beach ball served to you on a silver platter in your EXACT favorite spot, I may never speak to you again. Just a heads up.

"If the count is 0-1, 1-1, 2-1, or 3-1 (One strike on you):

"The spot where "your pitch" is gets a little bit bigger. What I mean is, if you see a pitch that's close to the pitch that you like, go ahead and swing. What I mean by "close" is about 6 inches around wherever you like the ball. This will commonly be called expanding the zone. All it means is that you are taking your favorite spot for a pitch, and making it a little bigger.

"When you have this kind of count, it is important to realize that expanding the zone is necessary. You don't want to be quite as picky here because though a pitch may not be exactly where you wanted it, if it is close to your pitch it may be the best pitch you get. Be aggressive, but also be smart. If you like it up and in, and the pitch is down and away, don't swing. You still have one more strike.

"If the count is 0-2, 1-2, 2-2, or 3-2 (Two strikes on you):

"At this point, this is when your pitch should expand to the entire strike zone. You need to know the umpire's strike zone (you learn it while observing the pitcher, step one), and you need to be ready to pull the trigger at a strike. This is when it's vital that you be an aggressive, yet smart, hitter. Something I would repeat to myself when I had two strikes on me was "I'm swinging at a strike, I'm swinging at a strike." This allows for instinct to take over instead of excessive thoughts. If you're not sure, always load early to prepare to swing. That way, you're ready if you need to be.

"Something I feel I should say is don't be afraid of having two strikes on you. A lot of people are scared to have two strikes because all they can think about once they step in the box is striking out. I used think that all the time. You know what happened? I froze and ended up striking out looking more often than anything else. Instead of thinking negatively(striking out), think positively (If it's a strike, I'm swinging).

"The approach at the plate I have outlined above does a couple of things. 1) It allows you to be more selective with your pitches. Instead of simply swinging at strikes, you swing at your pitch. When you swing at your pitch, good things are much more likely to happen. 2) It forces the pitcher to throw more pitches. This is good not only because it wears him out faster (and believe me, it does), but it also gives your teammates an opportunity to view the pitcher and see what he throws like (step one).

"That's pretty much all I got, fellas. If you come in the dugout wondering what went wrong, this is the kind of stuff I'm going to be inquiring about, because it's what separates the great hitters from the rest. It requires dedication and perseverance to follow, but the rewards will be more than evident. With that being said, don't focus on the results. If you do everything right, you still might ground out occasionally. That's just part of the game. Instead of worrying about what happened, think about the process and how you are working to improve. If you focus on the process instead of the results, the results will come naturally."

Opening Day ... from Hope to Confidence

There is something almost magical about the Opening Day of a baseball season ... on any level.

All things are new. Every one gets a fresh start. Every one has high hopes. It's a great day.

But most every one's hopes are unrealistic. Sorry to be a party pooper, but it's true. It's true because hoping is different than believing.

To the prepared, Opening Day is an opportunity to finally start putting it all together. We are excited because we are ready. We are confident. It's the beginning of a long journey, but we know in our gut that we have what it takes to get there. We know because we have developing that "it" for a long time.

Confidence comes primarily from preparation ... then then from previous successes ... which, in turn, were based upon preparation.

As for us, we've been preparing for Opening Day since June, back in the summer Cooper League. We've been building, conditioning, selling, working, sweating, learning how we play and why, addressing the truth about where we are ... all in preparation to be better than ever in 2012.

If the foregoing paragraph describes some one other than you (and let's be honest, it describes none of us perfectly as we all miss the mark at times) then it's time to take stock and see where you are. You can start over right now.

The beauty of baseball ... and life ... is that each day is, in a sense, it's own Opening Day. We have the opportunity to prepare for and live each day and game to our absolute best. Prepare smart. Learn from mistakes, and work deliberately on those things we need to improve. We can, and will, continue to grow and improve greatly both as individuals and as a team in 2012. I love watching this process come together each year.

The key to our success will be the following: Keep your eyes on your personal progress each day. Shrink your areas of weakness and deepen strengths by working on your own. Keep the mindset of a learner. Stay humble and go above and beyond expectations of you personally each day. Decide that nothing will keep you from getting better each day and having the baseball season of your life. Nothing. If we do this as individuals, our team results will take care of themselves.

Remember the Championship Path.

If we do this, then we can (and will) go from hope to confidence.

And remember ... a baseball season is indeed a path, a journey. It's one step, one day at a time. There will be times and days when you are tempted to give in, or where it looks like the journey is heading south. That's baseball, and that's life. But keep at it. Keep focused on what you can personally do, this hour, this minute, this play. Then do it. Then do it again ... but better this time.

Time to get started.

It's Opening Day.

See you on the field,