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Hitting a round baseball with a round bat is the hardest thing to do in sports. However, many people make the art of hitting a baseball tougher than it has to be. The mechanics of hitting a baseball are relatively simple, and can be broken down into three distinct parts:

1. The Weight Shift
This starts the swing into motion. The weight of the hitter should be distributed evenly on the balls of his or her feet. Then, a simple hip movement towards the back leg should be made. At this point, weight should be about 70 percent on the back leg, 30 percent on the front leg. There should be no movement of the front foot, only hip movement should occur.

2. Hips
This is where many people go awry in hitting and teaching hitters. Many believe that the hands trigger the swing, but this is untrue. The hips start to open and allow the hands to explode through the hitting zone at a much higher rate of speed than if the hands triggered first and were still inhibited by the body. This has been proven by some of the most respected hitting authorities in the world by using high speed motion detection software to analyze a hitter's swing.

3. Hands
This step is where it all happens. The hips have started to open, the hands shoot through the zone, and the hips naturally finish their rotation as the hands leave the hitting zone and follow through. The weight shifts forward into contact, and all of the steps come together into a fluid, quick swing.

These elements can be broken down and practiced until perfect mechanics are achieved. If these three steps are put together consistently,

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