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2-Strike Hitting -

The pitcher isn't on the mound to throw you batting practice, he's there to get you out. So you have to know your count, and you might be able to figure out what the pitcher is going to throw. If you are ahead in the count (more balls than strikes): advantage batter, if you are behind in the count (more strikes than balls): advantage pitcher. To be a great hitter you have to be able to win battles at the plate and be confident you can hit with 2 strikes.

Consider the options: fastball or a breaking ball.

The fastball is the easiest pitch to throw for a strike. Its straight, fast and accurate, but its also the easiest pitch for you to hit. So when the pitcher falls behind in the count and needs to throw a strike you can sort of guess fastball. It doesn't mean its going to be a meatball right down the middle, but you can guess with 90% accuracy that you are not going to get a curveball, change-up, slider. They are most likely to throw a fastball, maybe a little slower than their max because they want to throw a strike. These are most likely on a 2-0, 2-1, and 3-1 counts.

BUT, when the pitcher gets ahead, you can bet they are going to throw some junk to try and make you swing at something out of the zone. With 2 strikes its time to really focus. Think of what pitches the pitcher can throw and what has he thrown to other batters in similar counts? If the pitcher has a good curveball you might want to be ready for the curve, but don't give up on the fastball! Think curveball, react fastball.

Hitting with 2-strikes:

Move up in the box, actually take a small step towards the pitcher. This will allow you to maybe get ahead of the breaking ball and hit it before it breaks.

Inch yourself a little closer to the plate. This will make it easier to hit a pitch thrown 1 or 2 inches off the plate. The outside strike is a favourite of pitchers who locate well.

Keep your weight on your back leg. This keeps your swing from getting ahead of your body on an off-speed pitch.

Choke up on the bat. Choking up shortens your swing and increases your bat speed. This allows you to wait a split-second longer before swinging so that you can read the break on the ball and hit a curve successfully.

Think away: hitting to the opposite field will give you the most success when batting with 2 strikes because of the likelihood of an outside pitch. Go with the ball, if its outside hit it oppo, if its inside turn on it and pull it down the line. Remember, foul balls are your friend. The more pitches a pitcher has to throw, the more likely he or she will make a mistake and serve up a beach ball.

Just remember, baseball is a game of averages... Ty Cobb holds the record for best career batting average in the MLB at .366 which means he failed more than 6 out of 10 tries! You aren't going to reach base every time you get up to the plate, but over the course of the season you will get your fair share of base hits!