i dont think you need to hold the left stick down. You just guess with the left stick where the pitch is going, if by the time the pitcher starts his motion and the ball doesnt show up, that means u guessed wrong. But it doesnt affect ur hitting. Just if you get it right u know where the pitch is going.
Its definitly not easy. But like most games i have a feeling ill get used to it.
If i/you have to, they do have the classic controls where the batting is like MVP, but honestly, after using the hit stick its kind of boring.
The thing that iv found that works best is playing when you are in a \'take pitches\' kind of mood and to use the pull back and then push left/right/up when you have some strikes to take, but with 2 strikes to just use pull back and release.