By Eric Johnson
As a college ballplayer, you will be expected to do a lot of things while in the on-deck circle. Your coach expects you to take in the pitcher’s tendencies and movement. You have to know your job in every possible scenario that could occur when it is your turn to step up to the plate. You will be actively slowing down the game, controlling your mental processes.
One thing that sometimes gets lost while you are getting ready mentally for an at-bat is physically preparing yourself to hit. You have plenty to think about already with the mental aspects of the game. You don’t want to have to think about the physical side as well. Use these tips to create an effective on-deck routine that will get you prepared physically for every at-bat.
Get your timing down. Every pitcher has a different set and motion. Is the pitcher already in the stretch? Is his windup slow? If he isn’t in the stretch already, what is his arm action like? If his arm action is fast, and his windup is fast, you know that you’ll probably need to get your front foot down early if you face him while he is in the stretch. Time your front foot with every pitch.
Take an at-bat before your at-bat. This is especially crucial if the hitter in front of you is the same type of hitter as you (power guy, righty, lefty, slap hitter, etc.). All pitchers have tendencies. All pitchers like to approach certain hitters in certain ways. Will he go to his off-speed in fastball counts? Does he like to bury 2-strike pitches in the dirt? Physically take your at bat while in the on-deck circle. React as if you’re swinging on pitches that look good to you. You’ll learn a lot about how to approach your own AB.
Take some cuts. Make sure you take a few swings. Don’t tire yourself out, but make sure that you feel good fundamentally. This is your chance to fine-tune. If something feels a little off, give yourself a couple of seconds to focus on it and try to find your comfort zone. You don’t want to be thinking about your mechanics while you’re at the dish, so get that part out of the way ahead of time.
Lose the weight. Trust me. Or don’t. Trust Sport Science (if you like videos) or the Wall Street Journal (if you like reading). Swinging a weighted bat, or using a donut, will slow down your bat speed. Keep your on-deck swings as game-like as possible.
To play at the next level, you need to be prepared mentally and physically for every at-bat. Get the process started in the on-deck circle and make the most of every opportunity.
