A short stride is very good. When your foot lands it should be square to the pitcher. Your hands should be kept up high and away from your chest. Meaning that if I stand still when a pitch is made the reaction time of getting a jump on a hit ball is longer. Remember, that even a half of a step could be the difference in winning or losing.
Patience is a virtue.
One of the biggest problems I see day to day in batters is the fact that they do not have the patience to wait on the pitch that is in the power zone. This page has been accessed 672 times.