When we work with players on this topic of "staying inside the baseball", the first thing we do is ask them what this means to them. We always find different answers to the question so we thought we would define what this actually means and how it can positively affect the swing.

"Staying inside the baseball" means keep the barrel of the bat between the chest and the ball until the point of contact. Hitters need to be able to do this to A) stay short and quick to the ball and B) allow for maximum extension after contact. We have a phrase "short to it, long through it" that we use quite a bit to trigger this concept as well.

The drill in the video is just one of many different drills we can use to develop this concept. Finally a last great key to help your players develop this concept in the game is to drive the bottom hand to the pitcher.