The batter has about 0.5 seconds to gauge the path of a pitch, and the bat must be at the right place [within about 1 cm] at the right time [within 0.01 seconds] to make solid contact. The bat-ball collision lasts typically for 0.001 seconds, and the average force on this ball is of order 10,000 Newtons, corresponding to a mass of about 1000 kg [or a ton]. The process of hitting is mysterious, but with God-given quick reflexes and many years of practice, a few players can learn to hit the ball regularly.