How to Make Hitting Contagious

How to Make Hitting Contagious

One of the great mysteries in softball and baseball is why the exact same lineup can score 10 runs one game and be shut out the next—sometimes against the same or similar pitchers. It’s frustrating when a game that should be a “Hitter’s Day” turns into a “Pitcher’s Day.” The pitcher is hittable, the wind is blowing out, but somehow, the offense fails to string together enough hits to score.

So, what makes hitting contagious? Here are a few strategies for teams seeking more consistent hitting and better run production.

1. Develop Repeatable Hitting Mechanics

Consistency should be the primary goal for every hitter. Without a repeatable swing, hitters are less likely to put the ball in play and keep a rally going. I’m dedicated to teaching hitting mechanics that not only improve power but also consistency.

Hitters who invest in their swing during the offseason and preseason are more likely to start or sustain a rally when it’s needed most. At some point, there’s no substitute for just being a good hitter. However, trying to overhaul a swing during the season is not a good plan.

Consistent hitters are essential for contagious hitting. Most lineups feature a mix of strong, average, and weaker hitters. Weaker hitters can quickly shut down a rally if they’re not able to produce. These players might not possess the same physical tools as the stronger hitters, and they may lack repeatable mechanics due to poor instruction or a lack of effort to improve.

Ultimately, a team is only as strong as its weakest players. Developing weak hitters into dependable contributors is a hallmark of good coaching and a lineup that can catch fire. In my article Hitting Accountability, I go into more detail about how coaches must help their weaker hitters develop.

2. Take Personal Ownership of the Rally

A surefire way to kill a rally is to assume someone else will step up and get the big hit or drive in the key run. Waiting for someone else to deliver often leads to too many 1-2-3 innings. Contagious hitting requires every hitter to take responsibility for their part in a rally.

Hitting accountability means putting aside the failures of other hitters. I’m convinced that when hitters see a string of consecutive bad at-bats, they lose their sense of accountability. Failure begins to feel acceptable, as others are struggling too.

My youngest son Rick plays in a competitive 12″ slow-pitch softball league, coached by Joe Riccardi, a volunteer who also serves as the Senior Pastor at Park Community Church in downtown Chicago. At a game I attended, his lineup of talented hitters was in a slump. Towards the end of a close game, Coach Joe asked every hitter the same question before they stepped up to the plate: “Are you in or are you out?” Each player had to give a verbal, positive response before he let them bat.

It may have seemed harsh, but Coach Joe knew his players needed a wake-up call. They needed to snap out of their collective funk—and it worked! The hitters rallied to win the game by a large margin. Coach Joe made each player accountable for the team’s success.

Hitters who have the mental toughness to break the chain of failure refuse to join a “pity party.” They’re determined to succeed despite the struggles of their teammates. This kind of personal accountability and leadership is contagious.

3. Put the Ball in Play

I always tell my hitters, “Good things happen when you put the ball in play.” Multiple hits can power an offense, but a lineup is at its best when everyone does the little things to keep a rally going. Even weaker hitters can contribute by drawing a walk, laying down a well-placed bunt, or hitting a ground ball to move runners around. They can even get hit by a pitch—unintentionally, of course!

The key is to avoid strikeouts. Striking out is a gift to the pitcher and the defense. My article Don’t Choke—Choke Up outlines an effective strategy to improve individual hitting productivity.

Errors, too, are contagious. Putting the ball in play at all costs creates pressure on the defense. We’ve all seen rallies begin with an error, even on a weak ground ball.

PUT THE BALL IN PLAY!

4. Identify the Pitcher’s Weakness

Every pitcher has a weakness! It could be a lack of control or a predictable pitch sequence. Identifying that weakness can make hitting contagious.

When facing a wild pitcher, patience is key. The more patient hitters can be with inconsistent pitchers, the more likely they’ll get a fat pitch to hit. While this is simple advice, it’s not always easy to execute.

If a pitcher tends to follow a predictable pattern—like throwing a fastball on the first pitch or a change-up on an 0-2 count—hitters can increase their chances of success by looking to hit that pitch hard. A lineup that cracks the pitcher’s code can experience contagious hitting without the pitcher even realizing what happened.

Additionally, consistent pressure on the defense can rattle the pitcher. As a hitting coach, there’s nothing more satisfying than when my hitters get in the opposing pitcher’s head. Nervous pitchers make mistakes, which leads to more hitting. It’s a cycle that any hitting coach loves to see!

5. Stay Positive

In my article “Ha ha”, I described a fun and effective technique to deal with the little failures that are inevitable in softball.

“It is natural for hitters to get frustrated and embarrassed when they fail at the plate or in the field. If they say, “Ha ha” to themselves or aloud, the failure won’t seem as important.”

“I encourage hitters to say these two simple words with a smile to help immediately deal with small disappointments. These disappointments can easily lead to self-doubt, which fosters negativity, resulting in needless streaks of poor performance.

“Ha ha” can be the most effective way to end one of those stretches when the whole team is in a slump.

6. Get the Bug!

There’s nothing more exciting than watching an offense become contagious. The entire team feeds off the energy—especially the defense. When the offense is clicking, everyone can play more relaxed and confident. Ultimately, contagious hitting leads to CONTAGIOUS WINNING!

For more of Coach Paul’s Hitting/Offense Tips, click HERE.

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