How to Hit with 2 Strikes

Every hitter has been there. You're down in the count 0-2 and you're feeling defensive, anxious, and most of all scared to become victim of the "s" word. That's right, ever since we were little leaguers, strikeout has been drilled in hitter's heads as a bad word and the biggest failure at the plate. However, there are ways to become a better 2 strike hitter, and overcome the anxiety and fear that comes with hitting with 2 strikes.

The first thing to realize is that everyone strikes out. There is no need to feel like a failure just because you didn't put the ball in play. That should help ease some of the anxiety that goes into hitting with 2 strikes. In fact, you can have a very good at bat, and still strike out. This happens because many good hitters work deep into counts, see a lot of pitches, and eventually will get into counts with 2 strikes. Let me give you an example of a bad strikeout versus a good one. If you are down 0-2 in the count, get anxious and scared, and swing at a ball in the dirt or one up at your eyes, that is a bad strikeout. You gave up on your at bat. However, if you are down 0-2 and battle the count back to 2-2 or 3-2 by taking or fouling off tough pitches, that wouldn't be a bad strikeout because you made the most of your at bat, and made the pitcher work to get you out.

The purpose is to minimize the k's so you can maximize your chances of getting on base. There are a few mental and physical keys that can help you next time you have 2 strikes.

MENTAL APPROACH

1. Step out of the box and take a deep breath. Relax.
2. Try to see the ball as deep as possible. Do not guess, let the ball travel as far as possible before deciding to swing. This approach will stop you from swinging at pitches in the dirt.
3. Look away and adjust in. Give up pulling the ball and try to go up the middle and to the opposite field. Protect outside to in.
4. Foul off any borderline strikes.
5. Fight off inside strikes.

PHYSICAL APPROACH

1. Choke up on the bat slightly. Bat control is important.
2. Move slightly closer to the plate. Take away the outside strike.
3. Spread out slightly to get more balance amd use more hands than body.

4. Slightly crouch down to get in a more athletic and balanced stance.

Why Striking Out Less Can Help the Team Win
As I said earlier, everyone strikes out, and it's possible to do so and still have a good at bat. However, striking out fewer times and putting the ball in play more often will greatly increase your average and also do other things that can help your team win, like:

1. Advancing runners
2. Forcing errors/Putting pressure on the defense
3. Bloop hits
4. Frustrate the pitcher/Cause him to throw more pitches and work harder