5 Questions

As the ball is released from the pitcher's hand, before we hit the ball the brain has to process some information in order to react correctly and get the bat in the right position to hit. There are 5 questions the brain answers automatically in this order:

1) How fast is it going?
Is it a change up or fastball? We must see the difference between the two, either from the release seeing the back of the hand, or a change in the pitchers motion in order to not be fooled and transfering our weight too far on the front foot. The quicker one can pick up the change up, the easier he can stop his body and wait (keeping the front heel off the ground).

2) Where is it going?
Is it a high or low pitch? This is the next thing you are able to see, because of the way the ball is (usually) projected. High pitches are easier to see than low pitches from release.

3) How is it going to get there?
Seen from differentiating between spins. Although an artform that requires practice, the skill of seeing spin is one that is most valuable that separates good hitters from great hitters.

4) Where is it going?
Is it an inside or outside pitch? This question is answered last because spin often doesn't dictate location on the plate, and since the plate is only 18 inches wide it's harder to distinguish exactly where the ball is going.

5) Where is the ball going to end up when I am able to contact it?
Finally, after all the other questions are answered you have a pretty good idea where the ball is going to be and whether it is a good pitch to hit. And if it is a good pitch to hit, how to position your body in a way to hit it.

Those who can answer these questions the fastest, or have some of them answered before the pitch occurs (having a pick) are obviously at an advantage. Conversely, the pitcher is at an advantage if she can hide her pitches, keeping her body and arm motions similar, and starting pitches on the same plane, having the spin take the ball in different directions.

So how do we do this? Well personally I like having a pick on the pitcher before I even start (more on how to do that later). If I have the change picked for example, it eliminates the surprise of a slower pitch, and all I have to do is react to location. It also eliminates 1 out of a pitcher's 4 pitches, I like a 1 in 3 chance of guessing what a pitch is instead of a 1 in 4 chance.

Seeing the pitcher's hand at release is also important in gathering information about a pitch. Focus in on the hip at release and differentiate between a rise, drop and change. Catchers should be good at this, and those obsessive batters who stand in on their own pitchers all the time.

Finally, by having a good scouting report on a pitcher or figuring out some tendencies throughout the game can give you some answers to these questions. After all, pitchers are predictable, and will throw what is comfortable to them.