What is the real job of a hitter?

When you are a player and you are at the plate, what is the real job of a batter? To hit a single, home run, sac, bunt, put the ball in play no matter the out come?

And, depending on your answer, what does a coach look for in batting skills? Whether a player can pound the ball, advance the runner, a batting average, slugging percentage, on base percentage, what?

 

job 1

Job #1 of any player who gets in the box is to get to 1st base! Any how, any way - hit, walk, hbp, home run, error, does not matter! You can not score, you can not do anything unless you make it to 1st. That is why I have always felt that the most important offensive stat is OBP = on base percentage. How many times can your coach count on you to get on base. I will take a player with a high OBP any time!

Unless you asked to give yourself up via a sacrifice by you coach. Then your #1 job is to sac.

Too many things are asked of players, K.I.S. = keep it simple. Make contact. You are trying to hit a round object with a round object square. It is the hardest skill in all of sports. Make contact and good things can happen.

Ty

 

....all of the above. Tell me what coach would not like a hitter to be able to crush a double off her fists or send a homer at anytime, and then that same kid can lay down a bunt to get on base or move the runner. A kid who has a good eye who gets walked.

Theres a big difference in a batter and a hitter.....and your opposition knows who the threats are period.

fish

 

is that all?

If she can do all that....
you left out walking on water.......

 

....if walking on water will get you on base then add that to the list of ....."what coach would not like to have".

Fishpal

 

Answer !!

YES :::::

To hit a single, home run, sac, bunt, put the ball in play no matter the out come? ___GURU

 

Put the ball in play

Over the years I have always stressed to my hitters to put the ball in play. Preferably down and hard. I also tried to teach kids to know the situation and take advantage of it. In other words, use your head and be smart. You don't always have to get a hit to help the team win. Runner on third, less than 2 outs, hit a grounder to second or a flyball to the OF to score the run. Runner on second, and no outs, hit the ball behind the runner to advance her. Hitters should check the positioning of the third baseman and first baseman. If they are playing back, then drop down a nice bunt and beat it out. I don't know to many girls who will bunt unless the coach gives them the bunt sign. I see too many girls still going to the plate without an idea in their head as to what they want to do. Most of them just go up there hacking. A good hitter can hit the ball to all fields and adjust to the pitch. A lot of girls are totally one dimensional. They've got their one zone that if the ball is there they will crush it, otherwise if its outside that one swing slot, they are totally at a loss. The most dangerous hitters are the ones that can pull the inside pitch to left (or right), as well as hit the outside pitch to the opposite field.

Strikeouts are the death nail to a team. A hitter should always be looking for their pitch to drive until they have 2 strikes. Once they have 2 strikes, it is then their job to "put the ball in play". Make the other team work to get the out.

 

.....WOW! Hall of Fame post!

Fishpal