By Alex Valle — Content Editor
Hitting a fastball clocked at 94 mph is no easy feat.
You need balanced footing, correct hand placement and making the split-second decision to swing at the correct pitch.
Hitting a baseball takes, “hand-eye coordination, rhythm and timing, general athleticism and body awareness,” said San Jose State’s head baseball coach Brad Sanfilippo.
In order to take advantage of his hitters’ offensive players’ talents, Sanfilippo ensures they are prepared for any pitcher.
“Giving guys a scouting report on what they will see is the best way to prepare guys,” Sanfilippo said.
He and his coaching staff are responsible for SJSU’s turnaround as the Spartans had the program’s highest team batting average of the decade.
In his second season at the helm, he solidified his coaching staff with the hiring of assistant coach Thomas Walker.
In terms of mechanics, Walker’s philosophy is to “stay inside the baseball, get behind the baseball and get through the baseball with our barrel.”
Sophomore first baseman James Shimashita is one of the countless sluggers to benefit from this coaching staff.
Prior to even stepping into the on-deck circle, the approach to a hitter’s next at bat plays a pivotal role in a successful plate appearance.
For Shimashita, locating the baseball when it leaves the pitcher’s hand is key to nailing his timing.
“If I have a good backdrop, I can see the ball really well and I’ll focus on [the pitcher’s] leg,” Shimashita said.
When in the batter’s box, Sanfilippo says it boils down to fundamentals.
“It’s about competing,” Sanfilippo said. “You hope your guy has a plan and can freely execute.”
The plan stems from studying the opponent and making in-game adjustments dependent on the pitcher’s tendencies.
“A pitcher might dictate which zone we can stay in. We have to expand where we are looking,” Walker said. “We want to force the pitcher to change the zone instead of chasing.”
No matter what the plan is, players are always trying to perfect their swing.
Even after solidifying himself as one of the top hitters for the Spartans, Shimashita is still working on his timing.
“That is the one thing I focus on. If I focus on my hands, in my head I just have to read the pitch and let everything go,” Shimashita said.
Although his focus has helped with his timing, his vision has been one thing that Shimashita has struggled with.
“[My glasses] sometimes affected me,” Shimashita said. “When it was cold or I was sweating, they would get a little foggy. It sucked.”
The sophomore standout will ditch the glasses for the 2020 season, as he will be wearing contacts.
The mental aspect of a hitter battling with the pitcher to be ahead in the count is part of the process to become a great hitter.
“There is a fearlessness about going out there and hitting the ball. I think the mentally tough and mentally free are the athletes that go out there and perform well,” Sanfilippo said.
Shimashita is no stranger to these characteristics.
The offensive juggernaut was not shy to share how he prepares for every pitcher.
“Honestly I don’t prepare,” Shimashita said.
Surprisingly to most Shimashita only focuses on the pitches thrown rather than who is on the mound.
“It depends on the type of pitcher,” Shimashita said. “If there is a sinker, I like to hit away and the same with a lefty.”
This approach to preparation has turned Shimashita into one of the most consistent Spartan hitters, making a 94 mph fastball seem like he’s hitting it off of a tee.
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