The Problem with Pitching Machines

I was watching a team at the cage the other day hitting off a pitching machine and while most of the players were hitting the ball really well, their timing and mechanics were really off.  This reminded me of why I don't like pitching machines very much --- they tend to create bad habits for hitters.  This particular team was hitting off a machine with an arm.  I tend to like those better than other pitching machines but the problem with this type of machine is that they are so easy to time that players don't stay back.  As I watched the team hit I saw a number of players commit to the pitch way too early, get out on the front foot and hit a rocket into the net, pulling the ball down the line.  What's so bad about a nice line drive down the line?  Well if the machine was able to throw a change-up at that point, these kids wouldn't have a chance or THEY WOULD HAVE TO CHANGE THE WAY THEY WERE HITTING!  The coach didn't seem to notice or was just focused on the result of each swing (in most cases a nice line drive that was hit hard).

This team was taking batting practice and building poor habits at the same time, doesn't make much sense but that's what was happening.  So the question is how can we use a pitching machine to help our hitting and build good habits rather than poor habits?

Talk to Your Players
Don't assume that a player knows what he is doing when hitting off a pitching machine.  To help players get the most out of their time in the cage, give them something specific to work on and vary what they do.

Example:
Each player gets 10 swings

• Bunt first 2
• Hit 2 the opposite way, they may need be backup a little if the machine is throwing the ball in.
• Hit 2 up the middle
• Last 4 hit the ball where it's pitched.

What this does is help the player stay back because they are trying not to pull the ball for about half the swings.  You can slice and dice it anyway you want but try to keep the kids from simply going into the cage and mindlessly swinging away.

If you can, stand behind the plate and see where the ball is pitched and where they are hitting it.  If they are pulling everything regardless of location, then chances are they aren't staying back.

Also don't let them take to many cuts in a single turn, fatigue will also cause bad habits as they will begin to lunge as they get tired. 

Try to mix in some live pitching if you can.  If there is an screen available have a coach throw some BP and vary the speed a little.  See if the kids are adjusting or not to the various speeds and locations. 

Finally, don't crank up the pitching machine too fast.  If they can't time the pitch out of the machine very well, then the fast speeds will completely alter their swing.  All of a sudden they will have to guess when the ball is coming because they know they don't have much time to start their swing. 

In the end we want batting practice to be something to help prepare our players for the game.  As a coach you can help this process by not focusing in on where the ball is going but rather what the player is doing as they hit the ball.

Until Next Time,
Don Edlin
Owner
QCBaseball.com