Increase Batting Power with These 6 Workouts

For anyone looking to improve their hitting, you may be wondering the best approach. The entire sequence of hitting a baseball involves a variety of factors from the release of the pitch to the ball’s contact with the bat – all of which happens in mere seconds. 

In order to improve your batting, you need to focus on hand-eye coordination and power development. Hand-eye coordination helps the batter locate the baseball during its approach to the plate and allows them to appropriately maneuver the bat, while power development helps to add distance to your hits and help you become a stronger batter.

For most baseball players and softball players, however, the focus during training is to keep their shoulders in good shape, while this is vital, it neglects the importance of power training. To help improve your hitting strength we’ve gathered up the best exercises to include in your training. Add these exercises to your routine to develop more power and add distance to your hits.

Deadlifts

The deadlift is a staple workout when it comes to building overall size and strength.  This is the most important lift you can do when it comes to increasing power and bat speed. Here’s a kettlebell sumo deadlift you can do at home if you want a variation from a traditional deadlift.

Pull-Ups & Seated Pull Downs

Both of these exercises, while similar, help address different muscles, all of which are needed for improving hitting strength. The motions used when performing pull-ups and seated pull-downs can be used for building a strong back and core while hanging from a bar helps to promote good shoulder health.

Dips & Dumbbell Benchpresses

When done properly, performing a dumbbell bench press as well as dips can be used for building upper body size and strength. A dumbbell shoulder press is another great exercise you can do to build upper body strength, learn how to do this exercise here.

Seated or Standing Rows

Having a strong back is key for maintaining muscular balance in the shoulder joint.  To do this both your back and bicep strength must be used to control the barrel of the bat, increase power, and reduce your risk of injury.

Squats & Sumo Squats

The squat is a staple exercise for building lower body size and strength, which is important when it comes to batting power. Having strong legs and a strong lower body is just as important for adding power to your at bats, as having a strong upper body.

Here are two variations of squats you can do at home with video instruction on how to do each, the front squat and front squat with barbell.

Forward & Side Lunges

Developing glute strength is critical for creating power in your batting.  Both forward and side lunges will challenge your body similar to the way it will need to move throughout the swinging process which is why this is a great exercise to include in your training. 

Learn how to do a forward lunge properly here.