Competitive Cage Drills to Build an Effective Hitter!

with Gino DiMare,
University of Miami Head Coach;
Played for Miami (1989 - 1992) and was a longtime University of Miami Assistant Coach (1997 - 2018);
2016 NCAA College World Series;
Back-to-Back-to-Back ACC Coastal Division Champions (2014-16);
2x NCAA World Series Champions (1999 & 2001)

Hitting a baseball is the hardest thing to do in any sport and having the knowledge and ability to teach players how to maximize their potential is a must. Gino DiMare provides this capability in this video with a step-by-step cage routine to build a hitter's complete approach at the plate.

Coach DiMare teaches the "feel" for zone hitting, a skill often neglected by coaches. Players will learn how to approach every zone above the plate, and hit with authority through a series of specific, competitive drills that will build a hitter's approach and confidence. This systematic routine works hitters with a series of tee, front toss, cross toss and coach pitch drills to build a batter's capabilities to be successful every inch of the zone to drive the ball to all fields.

He goes a step further and works on the mental side of hitting by placing hitters in game scenarios. By teaching players how to perform in certain situations, players enter tense situations not only with the skills, but the confidence to excel.

Tee Drills

Use tee drills to teach your hitters how to drive the ball to all fields. DiMare introduces six tee drills to build a fundamentally sound swing. Work on hitting any pitch in any zone with the zone simulation drill. DiMare also shows several drills to break down the elements of the swing by isolating certain body parts and movements.

Front Toss Drills

Coach DiMare introduces two front toss drills he uses with his hitters to help them stay on the pitch and drive the ball to the opposite field. In the off-center front toss drill, the batter must let the ball travel and get deep to hit it properly. This helps the hitter use his backside to drive through the ball.

Situational Hitting

Hitters must not only recognize the situation but execute in order to get runners into scoring position or score runs. Learn about seven common situations batters are faced with and where the batter wants to hit the ball in each of the situations. DiMare puts hitters through their paces and demands that they have a strong understanding of when to keep the ball out of the middle, when to hit behind the runner and when it's okay to lift the ball.

Learn the approach a batter should have with:

• Hit and run
• Man on second, no outs
• Man on third, less than 2 outs
• Run and hit
Clutch hit, 2 outs
• 2-strike hitting
• 3-2 count

Throughout the video, you'll see demonstrations of these drills while DiMare presents examples of success and failure, offering feedback and strategies on how to correct swings and hits. He offers valuable, veteran insight that can help any coach direct a more effective offense.

Train every player in your lineup to be a complete hitter with this systematic, progressive cage workout!

45 minutes. 2017.