Conquer Your Inner-Half Fears!
Getting jammed on an inside fastball? Many hitters struggle to turn on inside pitches, often resulting in weak ground balls or pop-ups. But learning to attack the inside pitch unlocks a whole new level of offensive power. This post will give you the drills and mindset to become a threat to pull ANY pitch.
Why Inside Pitches are Tough (And Why Mastering Them is HUGE)
Inside pitches arrive faster – that’s simple physics. Less time to react means you need quicker hands and a more compact swing. But, when hit correctly, inside pitches are often driven for extra-base hits because you can naturally generate more bat speed and leverage.
Drill #1: The ‘High Tee, Inside’ Drill
This drill forces you to react quickly and keep your hands inside the baseball.
- Set up a tee high and inside – almost uncomfortably close to your body.
- Focus on driving your hands *directly* to the ball, keeping your barrel inside your hands.
- Start slow, emphasizing form. Gradually increase your swing speed.
- Key Focus: Feel your front elbow staying tight to your body, preventing your hands from casting outwards.
Drill #2: Soft Toss, ‘Quick Hands’
This drill improves reaction time and hand-eye coordination.
- Have a partner soft toss from a short distance (15-20 feet), aiming for the inner half of the plate.
- The toss should be firm and fast, giving you minimal reaction time.
- Focus on a short, quick swing, exploding your hands to the ball.
- Key Focus: Track the ball all the way in, and resist the urge to ‘pull off’ the pitch.
Drill #3: Live Batting Practice – Inside Emphasis
This is where you put your practice into game-like situations.
- Communicate with your batting practice pitcher – tell them you want to work on the inside pitch.
- Don’t be afraid to get jammed! This is about learning.
- Visualize yourself driving the ball with authority to the pull-side.
- Key Focus: Maintain an aggressive mindset. Attack the inside pitch; don’t just try to ‘get a piece of it’.
The Mental Game: Anticipate and Attack
Hitting the inside pitch isn’t just physical. It’s also mental. You must *anticipate* the inside pitch, especially in counts where the pitcher might try to sneak one by you (like 0-0 or 1-1). Be ready to turn on it! Develop a confident, aggressive approach to the inner half.
Conclusion: Own the Inside!
Mastering the inside pitch takes dedicated practice. Use these drills consistently, and you’ll develop the quick hands, compact swing, and aggressive mindset needed to crush those inside fastballs. Become a more complete hitter – and a more dangerous one – by turning on the inside pitch!
