Batting - Best major league batters like Walter Berger of the Boston Braves stand upright, with little or no crouch, and weight slightly on the foot nearest the catcher. The rear foot is the anchor foot, from which the forward thrust. must come. The front foot is the stepping foot, used to stride toward outside pitches or back from inside ones so that the batter may meet the ball with a full, free swing. Never cramp the arms close to the body when swinging. The arms should be fully extended when the bat meets the ball.