INSIDE PITCH Tee Drill

A Drill to Teach Hitters How to Handle Inside Pitches with Proper Mechanics

The Inside Pitch Tee Drill helps hitters learn how to handle inside pitches by focusing on their hand positioning, bat path, and body control. This drill teaches players to stay inside the ball and make solid contact on pitches that are on the inner half of the plate.

This Drill is a must-have for any hitter’s training routine. With consistent use, players will learn to stay inside the ball, make solid contact with inside pitches, and drive the ball with power to their pull side, making them more complete and confident hitters.

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

Setup:

  1. Equipment Needed:
  • Batting tee
  • A bucket of baseballs
  • A bat for the player
  • Optional: L-screen or net to hit into
  1. Player Positioning:
  • The batter sets up in the batter’s box in their regular stance.
  • The tee should be placed slightly in front of home plate, but on the inside corner, simulating an inside pitch. The ball should be at chest height or slightly lower, as if it is coming from the inside part of the strike zone.
  1. Tee Placement:
  • The tee should be positioned so the ball is in front of the hitter’s body, closer to their front leg. This positioning ensures the player focuses on hitting the ball early in the swing to keep it fair and drive it with power.

How to Run the Drill:

  1. Player Setup:
  • The batter stands in their normal stance, but slightly adjusted to ensure they can attack the inside pitch. Their hands should be positioned to keep the barrel of the bat inside the ball, ready to hit the pitch.
  1. Drill Execution:
  • The player takes swings, focusing on keeping their hands close to their body while rotating their hips to create power.
  • Encourage the hitter to pull the ball toward the left field (for a right-handed hitter) or right field (for a left-handed hitter). The goal is to hit the ball on a line or with a slight upward trajectory without rolling over and hitting weak ground balls.
  • Proper body rotation and bat path are crucial. The player should rotate their hips and shoulders without “casting” the bat or pushing their hands too far from their body.
  • After each swing, provide feedback and adjustments to help players focus on keeping their hands inside the ball and driving it to the pull side.
  1. Repetitions:
  • Each player should take 10-15 swings focusing on solid contact with the inside pitch. Rotate players through after each round of swings, offering personalized feedback between sets.
  1. Adjustments:
  • For younger players, focus on slower, more controlled swings to develop proper mechanics. For more advanced hitters, emphasize speed and power, simulating game-like swing speed.

Why You Run This Drill:

The Inside Pitch Tee Drill is vital for teaching hitters how to handle pitches on the inside part of the plate. Many hitters struggle with inside pitches, often getting jammed or rolling over weak ground balls. This drill teaches hitters to get the barrel of the bat out in front of the plate, making solid contact while pulling the ball with power and control.

Key Skills Developed:

  • Handling Inside Pitches: This drill develops a hitter’s ability to hit pitches on the inside half of the plate with proper timing and mechanics.
  • Bat Path and Hand Positioning: By focusing on keeping the hands close to the body, hitters learn how to avoid casting their bat and improve their ability to stay inside the ball.
  • Body Control and Hip Rotation: The drill helps hitters rotate their hips and shoulders correctly to generate power without losing control of the bat or their balance.

Coaching Notes & FAQs:

Coaching Tips:

  • Stay Inside the Ball: Remind hitters to keep their hands inside the ball as they swing. The bat path should be compact, with the hands close to the body to avoid casting or pushing the bat away.
  • Lead with the Hips: Emphasize the importance of leading the swing with the hips. Good hip rotation allows the batter to generate power while keeping their hands and shoulders in the proper position.
  • Focus on Driving the Ball: The goal is to drive the ball into the pull-side gap with authority, not hit weak ground balls or pop-ups. Encourage hitters to keep their bat level through the zone and make solid, line-drive contact.

Frequently Asked Questions:

  1. What if the hitter keeps rolling over the ball?
  • Rolling over the ball typically occurs when the hitter isn’t staying inside the ball or is swinging too early. Remind the player to keep their hands close to their body and avoid casting their bat. You can also adjust the tee height or placement to help the player focus on timing and mechanics.
  1. Can younger players use this drill?
  • Yes, this drill is great for players of all ages. For younger or beginner players, you may want to slow down the pace and focus on the mechanics of staying inside the ball before increasing the speed and intensity of the swings.
  1. How can I make this drill more challenging for advanced hitters?
  • For advanced hitters, you can increase the challenge by moving the tee slightly further inside or adjusting the height to simulate a tough inside fastball. You can also pair this drill with live pitching or soft toss to further challenge timing and bat control.
  1. How often should this drill be run?
  • The Inside Pitch Tee Drill can be incorporated into practice 2-3 times per week. It is a great addition to regular tee work and helps ensure hitters are comfortable with all pitch locations.