Posted by: THG () on Tue Nov 13 21:20:30 2007

> >>> This could start a good discussion.
>
> Jack, do you have any video clip comparisons of the same hitter hitting the inside strike vs. the outside strike? Comparison of the little changes that occur in the swing to acquire different bat angles at contact and to make contact at different points in the contact zone would be very interesting. I believe what the forearm is doing and it's degree of connection to rotation at the moment of contact is a very important factor in this. <<<
>
> Hi JTW
>
> I agree, it could start a good discussion. I know I have clips showing outside and inside pitches being hit for home runs. I will see if I can find the same hitter hitting both pitches. – In the meantime, I will start the discussion with a 2001 post I wrote on the mechanics of hitting inside and outside pitches.
>
> <a href="http://www.batspeed.com/messageboard/3736.html">Inside/Outside mechanics</a>
>
> Jack Mankin


Jack/Board. I believe that some of the most fundamental reasons why hitters have trouble hitting the outside pitch are:

1. The hitter is not close enough to the plate. Thus if he pulls off the pitch and or is fooled he does not have enough plate coverage to hit the ball.

2. Almost every hitter uses the same length bat. It stands to reason that if a hitter is shorter, has shorter arms, or is way away from the plate, would not it make sense that he experiment with a bat a half inch or so longer?

3. The batter does not trust himself/his mechanics to wait longer in an effort to effectively maximize his full swing as opposed to casting the hands to meet the ball across the plate. Reaching for the ball reduces the potential power.

4. The hitter is to pull conscious in his approach which would effectively cancel out the outer part of the plate.

5. Not striding with a 45 degree angle toward the plate as some theories recommend.