If you’ve ever felt like you’re always just a slight bit late on a fastball, you’re not alone.
Timing isn’t just about reacting fast, it’s about being prepared, understanding patterns, and training your body to move at game speed. Whether you're a young baller just starting to see higher velo at 10u, or facing mid-80s or high-90s heat as a high schooler, these 5 tips will help you stay on time and in the zone, and give you better success at the plate.
Start Sooner Than You Think.
Most hitters are late because they’re starting late. It’s that simple. Get your load going early, as the pitcher starts their motion, not after. Give yourself enough time to be smooth instead of rushed. Early rhythm buys you adjustability.
Timing Starts in the Dugout
Watch the pitcher closely from the second he starts to throw. Study their tempo, release point, and any cues that tip off velocity or offspeed. Is he quick to the plate with runners on? Does his fastball and changeup come from the same arm slot? Great hitters are great watchers.
Work From the Tee With Intent
The tee isn’t just for little kids, it's where timing begins. Use the tee to dial in your load and launch sequence. Rehearse your moves so when the ball is coming in hot, your body knows exactly what to do. Focus on tempo. Be early and explosive.
Train Reaction Speed With MaxBP
If you want to hit fast pitching, you’ve got to see fast pitching. MaxBP is the best tool out there for simulating high velocity reaction training. Dial up the speed, tighten your vision window, and start training your eyes and hands to fire on time. It's like a cheat code for timing up velo.
Close the Gap: The “Step-In Drill”
Start at a normal distance from the MaxBP machine, then take a small step closer every 5 reps. Each step shortens your reaction window, forcing you to read the ball sooner and commit on time. By the time you’re toe-to-toe with the machine, you’ll be training at a speed most pitchers can’t touch.
It’s not just about reacting faster, it’s about training your brain and body to stay calm and efficient under tighter time constraints. Then when you're back in the box at full game distance? The pitch looks like it’s floating.
In Short:
Great hitters aren’t just born with perfect timing, they train it. They study pitchers, build early rhythm, rep their swing sequence, and challenge themselves in the cage every chance they get. The difference between being a half-second late and launching a ball off the wall? That’s timing. And it’s trainable.
MaxBP gives you the tools to sharpen your eyes, speed up your reactions, and master your internal clock so when the game speeds up, you don’t.
Whether you're prepping for 95 or just want to dominate your next AB, this is how you stay on time, all the time.