How to take a pitch.

You don't always swing the bat when you get in the batters box. Many times, the pitcher throws a ball and the pitch is taken. Can anything be learned from how a batter takes a pitch? Absolutely.

Assuming that the batter wasn't fooled, a batter conveys all kinds of information by the manner in which a pitch is taken.

What's the main thing to look for? The most important thing is the balance of the players body as the pitch enters the hitting zone. Hitters that collapse their front leg tend to commit their weight too hard too quick. These players are cheating to the pitch and are very vulnerable to off speed pitches.

Also, when you watch a player take a pitch, watch their hands. The hands of a player should not leak forward when taking a pitch. The hands "leaking" forward is an indication that a player doesn't load his hands and then fire them to the ball. Rather, that player feels for the ball and attempts to make contact.

We don't want players just to make contact. We want players to get in the batters box and drive the ball. To do this, they need to have an understanding of just how the swing is initiated and exactly how a pitch should be taken.

As the elite hitter strides forward the barrel of the bat needs a "jump start". This means that the barrel should lean forward prior to accelerating back in the direction of the catcher. The posture of the batter should be neutral and balanced as the hitter drives into position.

You could literally go to a game and watch a player walk every at bat on four pitches and have an idea if he can swing it or not. How? By the way he takes a pitch.

Being a good hitter begins well before contact is ever made.