Soft Toss Working Inside & Outside Pitches

A Drill to Teach Hitters How to Adjust to Inside and Outside Pitches

The Inside/Outside Pitch Soft Toss drill challenges hitters to quickly adjust to inside and outside pitch locations. The hitter must correctly hit the ball to the proper part of the field depending on the pitch location, improving bat control and pitch recognition.

Difficulty Rating: ★★★☆☆ (Moderate)
Time Estimate: 10-12 minutes

Setup:

  1. Equipment Needed:
  • Soft baseballs or tennis balls (to minimize injury risk)
  • L-screen or protective net (optional for coach’s safety)
  • A bat for the player
  • Bucket of balls for the coach
  1. Player Positioning:
  • The batter stands in their regular stance in the batter’s box, ready to hit.
  • The coach positions themselves about 6-8 feet in front of the batter, behind a protective net or L-screen. The coach should be angled slightly to the side for easier inside and outside toss placement.
  1. Tossing Area:
  • Ensure that the tossing area has enough space for the coach to alternate pitch locations without disrupting the batter’s focus. The coach will vary the toss location, aiming either inside or outside the strike zone.

How to Run the Drill:

  1. Coach Positioning:
  • Stand 6-8 feet in front of the batter, behind an L-screen or net for protection. Prepare to toss balls underhand, alternating between inside pitches (closer to the batter) and outside pitches (away from the batter).
  1. Soft Toss Execution:
  • Alternate tosses between inside and outside pitches.
  • For inside pitches, the batter should adjust to hit the ball out in front of their body, pulling the ball to the left side of the field (for a right-handed hitter) or right side (for a left-handed hitter).
  • For outside pitches, the batter should allow the ball to travel deeper into the hitting zone and focus on hitting the ball to the opposite field—right field for right-handed hitters, and left field for left-handed hitters.
  • The tosses should be mixed unpredictably to challenge the hitter’s ability to react quickly and adjust their swing based on pitch location.
  1. Repetitions:
  • Each hitter should take 12-15 swings per round. After completing a round, allow for feedback and adjustments before rotating to the next hitter. The drill should be repeated for about 10-12 minutes, depending on the size of the group.
  1. Adjustments:
  • For less experienced players, the tosses can be slowed down and made more predictable, with clearer cues about where the ball will be tossed. As players improve, increase the speed and unpredictability of the tosses to better simulate game-like conditions.

Why You Run This Drill:

The Inside/Outside Pitch Soft Toss drill is designed to help hitters improve their ability to recognize pitch location and adjust their swing accordingly. In a game, hitters need to quickly determine whether the pitch is inside or outside and react by hitting the ball to the correct part of the field. This drill helps build that essential skill by teaching players how to handle different pitch locations effectively while maintaining their mechanics.

Key Skills Developed:

  • Pitch Recognition: Players learn to quickly identify inside vs. outside pitches and adjust their approach to each.
  • Hitting to All Fields: The drill encourages hitters to use the entire field—pulling inside pitches and driving outside pitches to the opposite field.
  • Bat Control and Timing: Hitters develop better bat control and timing, focusing on making solid contact based on where the ball is pitched.

Coaching Notes & FAQs:

Coaching Tips:

  • Stay Balanced: Remind players to maintain balance during the swing, especially on outside pitches. It’s important that they let the outside pitch travel deeper into the zone before making contact.
  • Proper Swing Path: Encourage a direct, level swing path for both inside and outside pitches. Players should avoid looping or uppercutting, which can lead to inconsistent contact.
  • Hit to the Correct Field: Make sure players are hitting the inside pitch to the pull side and the outside pitch to the opposite field. Reinforce this by setting clear goals during the drill.

Frequently Asked Questions:

  1. What if the player is having trouble identifying pitch location?
  • Slow the tosses down and make the pitch location more exaggerated to help the player adjust. Provide clear instructions before each toss (e.g., “inside” or “outside”) to build their confidence. As they improve, reduce verbal cues and increase the speed of tosses.
  1. Can this drill be adapted for younger players?
  • Yes, younger players can benefit from this drill. For beginners, simplify the drill by tossing the ball at a slower pace and providing more guidance on where to hit the ball based on the toss location.
  1. How can I make the drill more challenging for advanced hitters?
  • Increase the speed and variability of the tosses. You can also add tosses that simulate different types of pitches (high/low or fast/slow) to force hitters to adjust not only to location but also to different pitch speeds.
  1. How often should this drill be incorporated into practice?
  • This drill can be incorporated 2-3 times per week as part of a hitting routine. It works well when combined with other soft toss drills to develop a hitter’s ability to handle different pitch locations and speeds.