Hitting is a very difficult eye/hand skill to perfect. These basic fundamentals should enable the coach to teach young players to hit a baseball properly.
Bat Selection
choose a bat that you can handle easily
bat should match physical strength and ability
bat should be proper length and weight
handle thickness should feel comfortable in your hand (not too big or too small)
Grip
bat should be held at the base of the fingers
grip should be firm but relaxed
middle knuckles on top hand should line up with middle knuckles on bottom hand
increase bat control by choking up on bat (both hands move up the grip towards the big end of the bat)
Stance
parallel or squared stance should be used for younger players
both feet should be equal distance from the plate
feet slightly more than shoulder width apart
feet should be close enough to the plate to allow coverage of the whole plate
Ready Position
weight equally balanced on both feet that are slightly more than shoulder width apart
front foot turned slightly towards pitcher with knees bent and relaxed
hips remain level and square to the plate and the shoulders are level with ground
keep elbows away from the body with the hands opposite the back shoulder at shoulder height
bat angled halfway between vertical and horizontal
bat and head remain still with eyes kept on ball
Swing
stride must be short and towards the pitcher
keep the hands back and the front shoulder in
pivot and push off back leg with a short quick swing
hit against firm front leg and keep the swing level
roll wrists on contact and follow through to finish the swing
