Has Batting Practice Been Completely Wrong This Time
Every hitter has done it. Step into the cage. Face pitch after pitch. Swing. Repeat. For decades, batting practice has looked the same. But some coaches argue it might all be wrong.
Has batting practice been building habits that fail in the real game?
Repetition Without Real Pressure
Traditional batting practice feeds on easy, predictable pitches. Perfect strikes, steady rhythm. Hitters groove swings, but they’re not learning to adapt. In games, pitchers never throw that consistently. So BP may train comfort, but not readiness.
Game Pitches Aren’t Predictable
Real pitchers change speeds, break patterns, and disguise release points. Batting practice rarely does. The contrast is stark: hitters walk out confident from BP, then freeze at a sharp slider.
The practice didn’t prepare them for unpredictability.
Why Routines Stay the Same
BP hasn’t changed much because it feels good. Players want rhythm. Coaches want quick reps. But feeling good isn’t the same as improving.
Easy swings build confidence, not game readiness. And confidence without preparation leads to false security.
What New Methods Suggest Instead
Coaches exploring alternatives push for practice that mirrors live conditions:
- Mixed pitch types, not just fastballs.
- Variable speeds instead of repetition.
- Pitch sequences that mimic real counts.
- Situations with pressure, not comfort.
The idea is to break the rhythm, because real pitchers never give you one.
Why Some Resist the Change
Change challenges comfort. Players don’t always want to fail in practice. Coaches fear slowing reps down. But failure in practice prepares hitters for games.
That discomfort is where learning happens.
Maybe Wrong Wasn’t Entirely Wrong
Was batting practice wrong all along? Not exactly. It builds rhythm, confidence, and mechanics. But on its own, it falls short. Pair it with realistic, variable practice, and it becomes part of a complete system.
BP isn’t useless. It just can’t stay stuck in the past. The game has evolved. Practice needs to, too.
