Timely Hitting

This time of year teams are fighting for one or some combination of the following; a playoff spot, seeding in the playoffs, League Title or pride. After a long season, (summer, fall, winter and spring) key games during the end of the season push usually come down to timely hitting. Most teams have figured out their pitching and defense which will keep them in games if all other variables are equal. However, it is timely hitting which will usually determine the outcome.

Timely hitting can come from anywhere in your line-up, that's the beauty of it. This makes it not about who, but when. Building confidence in your players that anyone can be the right guy at the right moment, can give players a reason to work hard down the stretch. The Playoffs usually find opposing coaches focusing on trying to stop or slow down one or two key players, leaving the door open to others to deliver key blows for their teams.

This is a good time of year to cut practice a little short and work with players who are struggling. By putting in extra time with them individually, you communicate their importance to the team, build their confidence and increase their probability of delivering that timely hit.