I consider four checkpoints when evaluating timing, and every big-league hitter is aware of them. I didn’t learn about these checkpoints until I played professional baseball, and I didn’t fully grasp their importance until after my playing career.
Here are a few questions I like to ask hitters regarding these checkpoints:
- When do big league hitters start their load?
- Where is the baseball when big league hitters reach the top of their load (the moment when the negative movement stops and they are ready to stride forward into the ball, e.g., the top of the leg kick)? •
- Where is the ball when big league hitters get their front foot down? •
- Where do big league hitters make contact in relation to the depth of the pitch, especially on home runs and doubles? (If you could see a hitter from the side, do they make contact with the pitch when it is in the center of their body, at their back foot, at their front knee, at their front foot, or out in front of their front foot?)
Do you know the answers to these questions?
If not, don’t worry; you are not alone. As I mentioned, I didn’t know the answers when I played. This is why people often respond to bad swings with “be earlier” or “get your foot down.” While they can tell when a hitter is late, they don’t really know where the hitter should be at different points in the swing. If hitters don’t know the answers to these questions, it becomes almost impossible for them to be on time consistently. Similarly, teaching consistent timing is very difficult if coaches don’t know the answers.
My questions relate to the four timing checkpoints that are key to understanding good timing.
Here are the four checkpoints and the answers to the questions above:
| Hitter | Pitcher/Baseball |
|---|---|
| Start of the Load | Hand Separation |
Top of Load | Release Point (ball is leaving pitchers hand) |
Foot Strike | Ball is halfway to the plate |
| Contact | In line with the front knee or further out in front |
Let us take a closer look at each of these checkpoints.
Start of the Load: A hitter’s load should begin when the pitcher separates their hands. While this can happen a little earlier or a tick later, this is a great reference point for several reasons. While pitchers have many different styles—quick pitch, sidearm, submarine, over the top, three-quarters, etc.—they all must separate their hands and make some type of circular motion with their arm. This motion occurs not only in games but also in batting practice and even front toss, where there is a break in the hands and a back-and-forth swing in the arm. Therefore, we always have a consistent starting point to consider. If a hitter can start their load as the hands separate or close to it, they will give themselves a greater chance of being in the proper position for the following checkpoints.
Top of the Load: The top of the load refers to the moment when the negative motion is complete, and the hitter is ready to move forward. This feeling involves getting into the back side to a point where the hitter could balance if they lifted their front foot. There should be a sensation of settling into the back hip, where the hitter feels strongest and is prepared to move forward at any moment. This should coincide with the ball reaching the pitcher’s release point. As the ball starts to come forward (releasing from the hand), the hitter needs to begin their forward motion. This is the checkpoint that changed the way I thought about timing. I started watching every big league hitter more closely on TV. I would record at bats on my phone and play them back in slow motion and sure enough every hitter was at the top of their load right as the ball was leaving the finger tips. It was right there to see my entire career and I never knew it. If a hitter can get to this spot in control, then their body is only moving one direction as the ball is in flight, giving their eyes the best chance to see and allowing them to make adjustments mid flight if needed.
Foot Strike: This checkpoint often surprises hitters. If we load on time and initiate our forward motion at release, our stride foot will naturally touch down when the ball is anywhere from halfway to two-thirds of the way to the plate. There is a window here due to the varying velocities of pitchers. This is not something we should be consciously thinking about during our swing, but it can be helpful when reviewing video of an at-bat. You may be on time with your load and at release, but you can still be late getting your foot down if you hang at the top of your load to long. By reviewing this checkpoint with video or having a coach or teammate observe an at-bat from the dugout, you can better understand where your timing may be breaking down.
Contact: The final checkpoint is contact. This one is obvious and is often the first thing people focus on regarding timing, as it is the most visible aspect. If a ball is hit straight sideways, it is quite easy to tell that the hitter is late. If contact is not made between the front knee and about 18 inches in front of the stride foot, the timing is likely off. When hitters are on time, and making contact out front (front knee and beyond) the swing feels effortless, which creates more backspin and carry, resulting in better ball flight.
Combining All Four Checkpoints
These checkpoints are invaluable for identifying where timing may break down. However, there is really only one aspect we can consciously control: our load. If we start our load on time, the other checkpoints tend to fall into place. This is not guaranteed, as we can sit too long in our load or speed up our tempo, among other issues. But if our load is executed on time, we give ourselves the best chance for the other checkpoints to occur at the right moment.
This means that if you feel a checkpoint is off, the initial question shouldn’t be mechanical—like whether you pulled your head—but rather, did you start your load early enough? From there, we can make more informed adjustments.
By understanding and becoming aware of these four timing checkpoints, hitters can improve their consistency and performance at the plate. Recognizing the importance of timing in relation to the pitch can lead to better swings, more solid contact, and, ultimately, greater success in the game.
Mindful Hitting 