What is An Inside Out Swing in Baseball? An inside out swing is a specific type of swing that hitters use to hit the ball towards the opposite field. This can be done by swinging with an open stance or by rotating your body clockwise as you swing. The key to this type of swing is getting the bat head on a plane so it stays outside of home plate longer.
This type of swing is great for hitters who have power to the opposite field, but it can also be used by hitters who don’t have much power to get the ball into play. By using an inside out swing, you are able to extend your arms and hit the ball with more authority.
What is An Inside Out Swing in Baseball?
What’s the Difference Between a Regular Swing and an Inside-Out Swing?
The most notable difference between an inside-out and a regular swing is the path of the bat through the hitting zone or strike zone. With a regular swing, hitters typically try to create backspin on the ball so that when it leaves their bat with speed, it will rise into the air.
However, in order for this to happen, hitters must release their hands from the bat slightly in front of the ball. This causes the barrel of the bat to pass in front of the ball, which decreases the amount of time the bat is in contact with the ball. As a result, hitters tend to hit ground balls more often when using a regular swing.
With an inside-out swing, hitters keep the barrel of the bat in their hands until it reaches the hitting zone. As a result, hitters are able to maximize the amount of time spent in contact with the ball. This increases power and gives hitters more control over where they hit the ball.
However, this also means that when compared with regular swings, inside-out swings decrease lift on balls. As a result, hitters typically have more success hitting fly balls with this swing.
How You Can Use the Inside-Out Swing to Your Advantage
While inside-out swings are not typically used by all professional hitters, they can be very beneficial for amateur players who struggle with getting underneath the ball and hitting it into the air. The inside-out swing can also be helpful for hitters who tend to swing early and miss pitches.
To use the inside-out swing to your advantage, start by positioning yourself in the batter’s box with your hands slightly wider than shoulder-width apart. As the pitcher begins his delivery, take a step forward with your front foot and keep your hands inside the baseball until it reaches the hitting zone. As your front foot makes contact with the ground, start accelerating your hands and bat toward the ball to make hard contact.
What Pitchers Should Do When Facing an Inside-Out Bat Path
If a hitter is using an inside-out swing, pitchers should aim low and away in order to induce a ground ball. Another pitch selection that will work well is a pitch up and in.
This forces the hitter to get underneath the pitch, which causes it to go into the air or off of the barrel as he tries to accelerate his bat through the hitting zone.
There are players who excel in this kind of Swing
Advantages of Inside-Out Swing
- A hitter will have a better chance of hitting a ground ball since his hands stay on the bat longer, resulting in more time in contact with the ball.
- Baseball players can use an inside-out swing to hit fly balls instead of line drives or ground balls by swinging at pitches that are up in the zone.
- When a hitter swings at inside-out pitches, the pitcher has to aim for certain locations in order to get an out. If the pitcher misses his location, the hitter has a better chance of hitting the ball well.
- An inside-out swing is useful against pitchers who have a hard time throwing breaking balls because they will most likely throw a fastball in order to get an out.
- The inside-out swing can be used as a way to hit the ball the other way, which could result in getting on base if the fielder is playing too deep.
- A hitter who uses an inside-out swing will have more power since he is able to keep his hands closer to his body.
- Hitting coach can teach an inside-out swing to young hitters who are having difficulty getting underneath the ball.
- Pitchers have to be more careful when throwing pitches to a hitter who is using an inside-out swing since they are no longer able to throw pitches in the middle of the plate.
- An inside-out swing can be an excellent way to get out of a batting slump.
Disadvantages of Inside-Out Swing
- Hitting fly balls is often more difficult than hitting line drives or ground balls, which means that hitters who use this technique are likely to hit fewer balls into play.
- A hitter who uses an inside-out swing is more susceptible to getting fooled by a pitcher’s off-speed pitches.
- When a hitter swings at a pitch that is inside-out, he runs the risk of hitting the ball right at the fielder.
- Since a hitter’s hands are closer to his body, he has less time in contact with the ball when he swings.
- A hitter who uses an inside-out swing is more likely to hit ground balls instead of line drives, which could result in hitting easy pop flies when trying to make hard contact.
- Hitting coach will have a hard time implementing drills that are designed for this swing.
How to Improve at Using Inside Out Swing
- Start by positioning yourself in the batting cage or on a tee with your hands slightly wider than shoulder-width apart.
- As you take practice swings, keep your hands inside the baseball until it reaches the hitting zone.
- Be sure to focus on making contact with the ball as you swing.
- When you’re able to do this consistently, start swinging at pitches that are up in the zone.
- Aim for pitches that are low and away when you’re hitting in a game.
- If you find yourself struggling, go back to practicing with your hands slightly wider than shoulder-width apart.
- Remember to focus on making good contact with the ball as you swing.
Types of Swing
There are a few different types of swings in baseball: the standard swing, the power swing, and the inside-out swing.
- The standard swing starts when the hitter holds his hands away from his body.
- The power swing is when a batter gets into an athletic position and then brings both hands to the ball.
- An inside-out swing is when a hitter keeps his hands closer to his body and swings at pitches that are up in the zone.
- The outside-in swing starts with both hands on top of or above the bat, resulting in more whip for power but less contact accuracy.
How should I practice my Swings?
There are a number of drills that you can use to improve your swing. Start by placing three or four baseballs into the pocket of your glove. As you take practice swings, try hitting one ball at a time in order to get used to bringing your hands all the way through impact.
Pitchers should be able to throw a number of different pitches in order to practice hitting against different types of deliveries. When you’re taking batting practice, focus on making good contact with the ball and trying to hit it into the outfield.
Remember: All swings should start with your hands slightly wider than shoulder-width apart. If you’re having trouble keeping your hands inside the ball, try using a batting tee.
Place the tee in the middle of your stance and make sure that you’re making contact with the top third of the baseball. As you get better at hitting balls off of a tee, start moving the tee closer to your body so that you’re having to hit the ball more towards the middle of the baseball.
When you’re ready, try taking batting practice against live pitching.
If you’re having trouble making contact with pitches that are inside-out, focus on keeping your hands closer to your body and make sure that you’re hitting the top third of the baseball.
Conclusion
Therefore an Inside Out Swing in Baseball is a technique used to hit pitches that are up in the zone. This helps players hit more ground balls than line drives. Just be sure not to let go of the bat when you do a wide swing.
Also when practicing, use a batting tee to help keep your hands at the right height and focus on making contact with the ball as you swing.
