Posted by: Phil () on Sat Nov 8 17:14:27 2003

I hope it can be answered in a straight forward, understandable
> way. Let's say a hitter times his stride for a fastball (yes, I know
> some say to time for an inbetween-speed pitch, like a slider, and
> then adjust).But let's say I time for a fastball.What is the
> SPECIFIC technique for adjusting when, for example the pitch is
> a change up? Do you somehow delay the front toe plant? Do you
> have front toe touch down but delay front heel plant? Do you have
> front toe and heel plant, and then just "wait" a split second?
> >
> > Please, I welcome the advice but what I really do not want or
> need is theory about anticipating the pitch, etc.I do not consider
> this to be unimportant, I just wish to focus on the SPECIFIC
> technique (and involving which specific body parts)to adjust to a
> slower-than-anticipated pitch. Thank you.
>
> Try to be short and concise ? No fair !
>
> #1 Don't ask your body to perform miracles.If you are geared up
> for fastball,don't swing at the change.This is a bad plan.
>
> But ,ingeneral,how do you go about adjusting to off speed/give
> yourself more time if the pitch is slower than you are geared up
> for/already underway for ?
>
> There are at least 2 limiting factors mechanically that have to be
> dealt with.If you think that good predictable consistent swing
> timing comes from launch interrupting load,then at some point
> the loading gets too long/overstretched and adequate timing is
> impossible without reloading which shouldn't work for a good
> change of speed (I am reminded of Arod reloading for a homer
> after el duque gave him the ephus pitch twice in the same at
> bat,bad strategy as Arod was capable of reloading).
>
> The second factor is that the center of gravity of the body is
> coming forward.Once you get too far out front(center of gravity at/
> beyond weight bearing portion of front foot) a reliable launch/
> good timing is no longer possible.
>
> Remember that the upper body and lower body will also want to
> stay coordinated.scap load will want to happen as the stride leg
> goes out,then the front foot will want to start opening as the back
> elbow drops to assist coiling of the spine going into toe touch.
>
> I think Epstein has the best adjustment ideas.
>
> 1- shorten up the swing by rotating the body open in the stance
> but maintaining relationship of body center to plate/strike
> zone,striding along heel line-see his stuff(Big breakthrough on
> his part,significantly different from most of ted Williams
> recommended adjustments).In this case the idea is you get
> more time for recognition so you pick up/recognize the off speed
> earlier.(But you should probably be geared up for the inbetween
> speed).
>
> 2-you are way ahead and have to buy time- "sit on back leg"
>
> The main thing this does is slow the weight transfer forward so
> you don't get caught out front.But a lot of other total body
> adjustments are needed to make this work.This will tilt your axis
> back more and create a longer uppercutting swing which is a
> good way to slow down without interrupting overall
> mechanics.You could also lengthen your stride and emphasize
> scap load/relatively delay the back elbow coming down/front foot
> opening.You can also try to accentuate the "pause"(have to still
> be coiling) at toe touch before heel drop.This will lengthen the
> swing radius/back elbow further from side/lead arm longer/
> higher load after launch,less turn to contact.Then if you are still
> early you can disconnect/cast/get off the merrygoround/inside-
> out things by pushing the hands on the approach to contact.

Let's try this again. With all due respect to Doug, I do not accept the notion that "experience" is the total answer. Let's please not make this more complicated than it has to be. yes, I know that experience is good, I know that if the count is 3-0, you are expecting a fastball & if you get a change up you take the pitch. But I also know that even for a 95 mph fastball vs. a 92 mph fastball the body is doing SOMETHING to adjust. Can we be specific as to what is happening?

I know that to hit a pitch that is arriving just a little bit later (maybe 3/100 of a second later) SOMETHING must be done. For those of you who played the game, what is that something? Are you slightly delaying toe touch? Are you making hell plant & then waiting?

I'm not looking for science here, I'm just wanting to know specifically what a hitter is doing to wait that extra 3/100 or 2/100 of a second before swinging. Thank you.