Be Balanced

The key to success in any athletic activity is to be balanced. When you are balanced, you have control of your body and can perform your best.

In hitting, you want to take a balanced stance. A balanced stance allows you to wait longer on the ball — particularly on offspeed pitches — and gives you a good base for your swing.

In addition, when your feet are balanced, it is much easier to control your upper body, and improves your ability to deliver your full strength and bat speed to the baseball.

Don Mattingly says:

I favor a shoulder-width stance for its simplicity and its ability to help me stay balanced. I always tell kids: Make sure you are balanced on the balls of your feet, as this will allow you to swing the bat with consistency.

(from Don’s book Hitting is Simple)