How to Be a Successful Wiffle Ball Hitter

Know the implements of the game you are playing. There are many different types of wiffle balls (circle holes all around, spiral holes on just one side, Junk Balls), as well as many different types of bats (big barrel, medium barrel, standard yellow thin barrel). It may sound obvious, but knowing what you are using is imperative in order to hit well.

Find a comfortable batting stance. Stand at the plate in whatever way feels natural, and test how comfortable you feel in your stance by swinging the bat a couple of times. See if your swing is at its full potential in this stance. When you feel ready, settle in for the at bat.

Crowd the plate. If you're crowding the plate, a slider or curveball that would normally be right down the tube will probably hit you. Also, you'll draw more walks and the pitcher will be forced to aim for the outside corner, which is a pitch you can handle.

Identify the ball as soon as it leaves the pitcher's hand. Try to distinguish how it will travel based on its spin, the pitcher's arm location, the hole location on the ball, the wind, etc. There are one of four ways the ball can go:

• Curve Out. The ball will tail away from your body. The arm motion of the pitcher is over the top, with the holes on the ball facing away from your body.
• Curve In. The ball curves into your body. The arm motion of the pitcher is over the top, with the holes on the ball facing your body.
• Sinker. The ball will drop towards the plate. The arm motion of the pitcher is sidearm, with the holes on the ball facing the ground.
• High ball. The ball will rise upwards. The arm motion of the pitcher is sidearm, with the holes on the ball facing towards the sky.

Once the type of pitch is identified, determine whether the ball is worth swinging at. If you can hit it well, swing away. If not, watch it go by.