A lot goes into an at-bat during a baseball or softball game. From hours spent in the cages to big hits – and occasionally painful strikeouts – the journey of a batter is full of lessons to learn.

Guardian Baseball recently caught up with Justin Farmer, a rising star in the San Diego Padres Minor League system, to get his pointers on how to get the most out of every at-bat.

In this post, let’s talk about six points for getting the most out of every at-bat from a professional baseball player.

 

Who is Justin Farmer?

Justin Farmer plays in the San Diego Padres’ system. A Florida International graduate and Florida native, Farmer has been a baseball standout in the Sunshine state all his life before beginning his professional career. 

You can learn more about Justin Farmer here.

Justin Farmer’s 6 Tips for Getting the Most out of Your At-Bat

As you step up to the plate, a lot can be going through your mind. Most athletes feel a good deal of pressure, which is only natural, but you don’t have to worry! Instead, try to remember these key points from a professional player who is making a name for himself at the plate. 

 

Be relaxed 

To perform your best, you have to be loose and comfortable. As you prepare to bat, make sure you do whatever it takes to relax. Take a deep breath, clear your head, and believe in yourself. Having a relaxed body and mind is key to consistent, high-level performance. 

Looking for more tips to stay relaxed? This Mindset Monday from Brandon Guyer, another member of the Guardian Baseball team who played in the World Series, could add extra ideas. 

 

Have a plan

If you have a plan for your at-bat, the pitcher is working on your schedule. As Farmer said, “You need to be stubborn with your approach, have a plan at the plate, and don’t stray away from it. Failing to plan is planning to fail.”

You’ll plan will probably be based on the situation and game, but whatever the game call for, be aware and ready to execute. 

Sometimes planning can be done even earlier – weeks in advance. In particular, finding the perfect bat grip or batting gloves for your game is one great way to put yourself in the best position to thrive during big moments in-game.

 

Be on time

You must be on time. Justin says that having the correct timing is the single most important part of hitting.

“Timing starts on the on-deck circle,” he explained. “You need to get your timing perfect if you really want to be in the zone.”

 

Know what type of hitter you are

A lot can be said about knowing your role in sports, and batting is the same thing. There are four common types of hitters: power, speed, contact, and gaps. 

Being acutely aware of your hitting style will help you (and your coaches) find the best strategies for you to succeed at the plate. Being able to adapt to an in-game situation and apply your own hitting style and skills will make you a uniquely valuable player. 

 

Have fun and compete!

Baseball is America’s Game – that means it’s supposed to be fun! Don’t put so much pressure on yourself that you freeze up. Instead, understand that you’re there to have fun, even if you’re playing baseball as a career, like Justin Farmer!

If you can have fun with the game, you’re always going to play your best. And when you’re serious about competing and can balance that with having fun, you’ll be a great player and every coach’s dream athlete. 

 

Love your bat!

Finally, success at the plate starts with having a bat that you love. A bat is your number one tool so you need to be exceptionally comfortable with it – you want one that feels like an extension of yourself.

Whether you prefer Easton, Rawlings, Axe Bat, or other brands, find a bat that works with you (and possibly your school’s contract, depending on what level of baseball you’re playing). No matter what you’re looking for, the Guardian Baseball team has an extensive collection of bats for you to pick from. 

Now it’s your turn.

Now that you’re armed with 6 tips for getting the most out of your at-bat, it’s time to go practice what you just learned. 

Good luck finding the right bat for your game, and as a thank you for reading this guide, Guardian Baseball and Justin Farmer have an offer for you…

If you buy your bat from Guardian Baseball, enjoy an ADDITIONAL 15% OFF our already industry-leading prices with code: BAT15

Enjoy your new bat, and be sure to come to our Facebook or Instagram with questions and for more advice!