Outside Pitch Drive Drill

A Drill to Teach Hitters How to Drive Outside Pitches with Control and Consistency

The Outside Pitch Drive Drill helps players develop a longer, controlled bat path for making solid contact on pitches on the outer half of the plate. This drill emphasizes keeping the swing balanced and through the ball, improving contact on tougher, outside pitches.

This drill is an essential part of hitting practice for any player looking to expand their plate coverage and handle outside pitches effectively. With regular practice, players will gain the control, balance, and mechanics necessary to make solid contact on tough, outside pitches.

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

Setup:

  1. Equipment Needed:
  • Baseballs or soft baseballs
  • L-screen or protective net (optional for coach’s safety)
  • A bat for each player
  • Cones or markers to indicate the outside strike zone
  1. Player Positioning:
  • The batter stands in their regular hitting stance in the batter’s box, set up for normal plate coverage.
  • The coach stands in front of or slightly angled to the batter, around 15-20 feet away, protected by an L-screen if necessary.
  1. Pitch Location:
  • The coach should aim to consistently pitch to the outer half of the plate, keeping tosses or pitches around belt-high or slightly lower to simulate outside pitches that require a longer reach and bat path.

How to Run the Drill:

  1. Coach Positioning:
  • Stand about 15-20 feet in front of the batter, positioned to safely throw or toss balls to the outside part of the plate.
  1. Execution of the Drill:
  • Begin by tossing or lightly pitching balls to the outer half of the plate. The batter should focus on adjusting their swing to reach the outside pitch while staying balanced and controlled.
  • Encourage the hitter to drive the ball to the opposite field (right field for right-handers, left field for left-handers), keeping their hands inside the ball and staying through the contact zone.
  • The player should not over-rotate or pull off the ball. Instead, they should keep their front shoulder closed, extend through the hitting zone, and finish balanced.
  1. Repetitions:
  • Each hitter should take 10-15 swings per round, with each pitch aimed at the outer half. Rotate players after each round to give rest and provide feedback. The drill should last around 10-12 minutes per session.
  1. Adjustments:
  • For players struggling with outside pitches, start with slower tosses or pitches and work on gradually building up speed. For advanced hitters, vary the pitch location slightly within the outer half to simulate different pitch heights and movements.

Why You Run This Drill:

The Outside Pitch Drive Drill helps players who struggle with outside pitches by training them to stay through the ball and maintain control and balance. Outside pitches can often cause hitters to pull off the ball, leading to weak contact or missed swings. By focusing on driving the ball the opposite way, hitters learn the proper mechanics and timing for outside pitches, which can significantly expand their plate coverage and adaptability during games.

Key Skills Developed:

  • Longer Bat Path for Outside Pitches: This drill teaches players to extend their swing for better plate coverage on outside pitches, promoting solid contact and improving the ability to hit to all fields.
  • Balance and Control: Hitters learn to keep their body balanced, avoiding over-rotation or lunging, which is essential for driving outside pitches with consistency.
  • Opposite Field Power: The drill reinforces driving the ball to the opposite field, a valuable skill that makes hitters more versatile and adaptable.

Coaching Notes & FAQs:

Coaching Tips:

  • Focus on Staying Closed: Remind hitters to keep their front shoulder closed as they make contact with the ball. Opening up too soon can cause them to lose power and miss the outside pitch.
  • Hands Inside the Ball: Encourage players to keep their hands close to their body and inside the ball on contact, which helps in driving the ball to the opposite field and staying through the pitch.
  • Controlled, Smooth Swing: Hitters should avoid trying to pull the ball on outside pitches, focusing instead on a smooth, controlled swing that drives the ball to the opposite field.

Frequently Asked Questions:

  1. What if the player keeps pulling the ball on outside pitches?
  • If a player pulls the ball too often, remind them to focus on keeping their front shoulder closed and extending their arms through the contact zone. Slow down the pitch or toss speed if needed to allow them to focus on their mechanics.
  1. Can this drill be used for younger players?
  • Yes, this drill is appropriate for all ages but may require slower pitch speeds for younger players. Focus on the basics of balance and staying closed, and encourage contact rather than power.
  1. How do I make the drill more challenging for advanced hitters?
  • For advanced players, vary the height and location of the outside pitches within the outer half of the plate. You can also increase the pitch speed slightly to simulate real game conditions.
  1. How often should this drill be run?
  • The Outside Pitch Drive Drill can be incorporated 1-2 times per week as part of a balanced hitting practice. Pairing it with other location-based drills (like inside pitch drills) helps create a well-rounded hitter with the ability to handle all pitch locations.