What is an Oppo Hit in Baseball?
In baseball, an “oppo” hit, short for “opposite field” hit, is a type of batted ball that goes to the opposite field from where the batter is standing. An opposite field hit is usually a softer contact, with the ball traveling less distance than a pull hit. Oppo hits are usually hit with less power, and are often used as a way to move runners into scoring position.
Why is Hitting Oppo Important?
Hitting the ball to the opposite field is an important part of a complete batting approach. It gives the batter the ability to read the pitcher and adjust to the type of pitch they are throwing. It also helps to prevent a hitter from becoming too pull-happy and hitting too many ground balls or fly balls to the same side of the field.
Opposite field hitting is also an important part of situational hitting. It allows the batter to use the entire field and move runners over to the next base. A batter that is able to hit to the opposite field in key situations can be the difference between a win or a loss.
How to Hit Oppo
1. Understand the Pitch
The first step to hitting the ball to the opposite field is to understand the pitch being thrown. A batter must be able to read the spin of the ball and know the type of pitch being thrown. This will help the batter recognize if the pitch is a strike or a ball, and if it is a ball, what type of pitch it is.
2. Adjust Your Stance
Once the pitch has been identified, the batter must adjust their stance. This means they should move their feet to the side of the plate that the ball is coming from, and slightly open up their stance. This will give the batter a better view of the entire plate and allow them to see the entire spin of the ball.
3. Move Your Hands
The batter must also move their hands to the side of the plate that the ball is coming from. This will give the batter more control over the bat and allow them to make better contact with the ball. The batter should also keep their hands close to their body, as this will help them “stay inside” the ball.
4. Swing Through the Ball
The batter should make sure to swing through the ball and not try to pull the ball to the opposite field. This will ensure that the ball is hit with more power and has a better chance of getting over the outfielders.
5. Focus on the Ball
The batter should focus on the ball throughout the entire swing. This will help them make solid contact with the ball and allow them to hit the ball to the opposite field.
Opposite Field Hitting Strategies
1. Use Your Eyes
One way to improve your ability to hit the ball to the opposite field is to use your eyes. This means that the batter should try to keep their eyes on the ball throughout the entire swing and focus on the spin of the ball. This will help the batter to recognize the type of pitch being thrown, and also to adjust their swing accordingly.
2. Use Your Legs
The batter should also use their legs when hitting to the opposite field. This means that the batter should try to stay balanced and use their legs to drive their swing. This will help the batter to generate more power and stay on top of the ball.
3. Keep the Bat Level
The batter should also keep the bat level when hitting to the opposite field. This means that the batter should keep the bat in a level position throughout the entire swing and not try to pull the ball. Keeping the bat level will help the batter to make solid contact with the ball and hit it to the opposite field.
4. Follow Through
The batter should also make sure to follow through with their swing when hitting to the opposite field. This will help the batter to generate more power, and also to hit the ball with more control.
Conclusion
Hitting the ball to the opposite field can be a difficult skill to master, but it is an important part of a complete batting approach. By understanding the pitch and adjusting their stance, moving their hands, and swinging through the ball, a batter can hit the ball to the opposite field with more control and power. Additionally, by using their eyes, using their legs, keeping the bat level, and following through with their swing, a batter can improve their ability to hit the ball to the opposite field.
Opposite field hitting is an important part of situational hitting and can be the difference between a win or a loss. With practice and dedication, any batter can learn how to hit the ball to the opposite field.