There are few greater setbacks in baseball than a fear of getting hit while at-bat. This fear keeps many players from excelling at the plate and can become a recurring issue. Luckily, there are many ways to overcome this problem. Use the helpful guide below to ensure nothing is holding you back next time you get up to bat.

Where Does the Fear Come From?

A player is considered “hit” whenever their clothing, body, or equipment is hit by the ball. This often happens when the batter is standing too close to the plate, which is known as “crowding.” Pitchers may also throw close pitches to scare batters into stepping back. Sometimes, the batter may be so close to the strike zone that there’s simply nowhere else for the pitcher to throw.

A pitcher may intentionally hit a player to walk them and prevent the other team from scoring at a crucial point in the game. In other cases, the pitcher accidentally throws a wild pitch that hits the batter.

What to Do at Practice

First, start by using tennis balls rather than baseballs during batting practice. These balls won’t hurt if they hit you, so you can focus on your hitting.

To practice, stand behind a fence at the plate. Have the pitcher throw full speed at different points near you. As you become more comfortable with pitches coming toward you, you’ll be less intimidated at the plate. Going forward, spend as much time at the batting cages as possible. Facing down full-speed pitches in a safe environment is the best way to overcome your fear.

What to Do During a Game

If you’re coming close to being hit in a game, back off the plate a little bit. Coaches recommend standing 3-4 inches away from the outside corner. Next, remember what you’ve practiced, and stay inside the box. If a pitch appears to be coming toward your body, kick your hips back, lean away from it, or if getting hit seems inevitable, turn so the ball safely hits your back. This makes you a smaller target that’s less likely to be hit.

At the end of the day, think of all the times you’ve been up to bat. The majority of at-bats probably didn’t end with you getting hit by the ball. Remember that you’re much bigger than the ball, that getting hit typically doesn’t hurt too badly or for long, and that you’re getting a free pass to first base.

If you’re looking for batting cages in the Jupiter, FL, area, contact Line Drive Indoor Batting. This facility welcomes players of all skill levels and maintains quality batting cages for baseball and softball training. You can learn more on their website or call (561) 283-6614 to speak with a representative. Connect on Facebook for more tips.