Hands

Question
What exactly is meant by keeping your hands inside the ball when instructing a batter?

Answer
Hello Jeff,

This is typcally told to a hitter on an inside pitch.  What they mean is never get your hands outside the path of the ball.  The reason for this is simple, you will foul the ball off if your wrists get outside the path of the ball.  The only way to hit an inside pitch if you don't "keep your hands inside the ball" is to hit it way out in front of the plate.  This will usually result in you hitting the ball foul down the third base line. ( for a right-handed batter)  By keeping your hands inside the path of the ball, you will have a more compact swing and hit more ball up the middle or to the opposite field.  This will also keep the sweet part of the bat over the strike zone and prevent you from hitting ball on the handle.  I hope this answers your question.  

Coach Mike