Baseball Batting Techniques: Trigger Mechanism

There are many hitting techniques in baseball, but the one I want to talk about today is how to adjust your swing on an off-speed pitch. This technique begins just before launching the pitch and is called the trigger mechanism. It is the transfer of weight from the front leg to the back leg and then back to the front again when you hit the ball.

To see what this technique looks like, I saw a highlight from Milton Bradley of the Seattle Mariners. The replay camera was focused on him, so it was the perfect video.

This is what I saw in the video. Bradley recognizes the pitch, waits for the ball, and lands a major base hit that scores a run. I noticed her head was down on contact, which is essential.

Being good at this hitting technique means that your hands, shoulders, and hips are closed until your weight has completely transferred. If you completely commit one of those and let your weight completely transfer, then it will be much more difficult to hit the ball.

If there happens to be a pitch off speed or a pitch that changes direction or height, you can adjust your swing and slow down the process long enough to wait for the ball and still hit it. Just because weight transfer to the front begins does not mean that there is not enough weight to the rear yet to get a good hit.

The same is true if the pitch begins to change direction like a curveball or goes from a high plane to a low plane like a splitter. You will still have time to adapt. The pitcher may have some tricky throws, but you can counter those tricks by being patient and adjusting your swing. Bradley does just this in the video.

You can also practice this every time you hit batting practice. Have your coach or teammate throw you some curveballs or dividers near the end. This will help you to better recognize it during games.

The trigger mechanism is just one of many baseball batting techniques that will help you get more hits. Your goal should be to outsmart the pitcher with every pitch. And of course, doing so will help your team and possibly be the cause of some victories.