"Eye Contact" Drill

This drill comes from Coach Bill Barber our February 2002 Drill of the Month Winner.

When teaching younger hitters the fundamentals of hitting, I constantly ask one simple question "What do you hit a baseball with?" The true answer may actually surprise most hitters - especially those standing in front of me with a bat in their hands. The answer is "Your eyes!"

To drive this point home when hitting off a tee, I tell the hitters NOT to hit the baseball, but rather, hit the dot that I have drawn on the baseball. (I use a black magic marker to draw a dot about the size of a dime on the ball.) When the hitters are focused on hitting the "dot" and not the ball, the results are absolutely astounding.

This technique can be used for hitters of any age and especially those who are in slumps. Refocusing the hitter's eye will help slumping hitter regain their form quickly. When kids are hitting properly, they are enjoying the game of baseball and can't wait to get to the ballpark. Make baseball fun by using little techniques like this one to help your team.