The hardest hit of a batting session is easy to remember. Understanding the rest of the swings can be more useful when a player and coach decide what to practice next.
HitTrax training at Practice Time Sports in Canandaigua adds ball-tracking and simulated-field feedback to indoor hitting. As described in FingerLakes1.com’s earlier HitTrax guide, measurements can include exit velocity, launch angle, projected distance and batted-ball direction.
Choose a question before collecting numbers
Begin with the purpose of the session. A hitter working on contact to a particular area of the field should pay attention to direction and the pattern of results. A different assignment may call for reviewing contact quality across a series of swings.
Choose the question with a coach when possible. Looking at every number after every swing can distract from the adjustment the player is trying to learn.
Compare similar practice conditions
Tee work and pitched-ball hitting ask different things of an athlete. A change in drill, pitch location or effort can also change the results. Keep notes about the setup so comparisons have context.
Rather than judging the workout by a single peak result, look across a comparable group of swings. Ask whether the intended contact became more repeatable and whether the athlete understood the cue. The technology provides information; interpreting it still requires judgment.
Connect feedback to the next practice
End the session with one observation and one next step. A useful takeaway might be a drill to repeat, a question to bring to a lesson or a decision to keep working on the same objective.
Numbers should support the conversation between player and coach. They do not need to turn each cage visit into a competition for a personal record.
Practice Time Sports is located at 76 West Ave. in Canandaigua and requires advance appointments. Visit Practice Time Sports to confirm HitTrax rental options, current booking availability and what is included in the selected session.
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