Posted by: Teacherman () on Sun Nov 9 18:21:32 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.
> > >
> > > Phil, If you have played the game at a high level, and you are ready to pull the trigger on a good fastball and you get a real good change instead, you will pull the trigger and get nothing but air. You also won't get 3-0 changes at a high level of baseball. A real good change looks just like a fastball and your brain tells you "fastball", but it is not. If you don't have the experience (a couple thousand AB's) you are not going to get a magic cure. A real good experienced hitter will hit changes, curves and sliders that hang (stay up in the strike zone). If they are quality pitches, Barry Bonds won't hit them. That is why he and all the other great hitters fail 70% of the time. Hitting a hanging change, curve or slider comes from experience, not something that has been taught out of a book or on a discussion board. If you want a good hitting tip, it is this: If you get 4 AB's during a game, you will get about 4-6 fastballs in the strike zone.Sit on the fastball and hit 2 of them hard and and you will be a successful hitter.
> > >
> > > Regards, Doug
> > >
> > > Phil,
> >
> > I have had tremendous success teaching my hitters the importance of having a plan on each pitch. After they develop solid mechanics, we will then work on the plans. The two plans are the 2 strike plan and the less than 2 strike plan, or "look for your pitch plan". The secret is "KEEP IT SIMPLE". With 2 strikes I have them look for a fastball away. I will walk up to them and hold the ball over the outside part of the plate and a little deeper and have them do a slow motion turn (I don't use the term swing because of the arms connotation) and stop the bat where contact would occur. Now, their brain has a plan and can send the proper nerve impulses to the muscles to perform. I will throw them wiffle balls from about 20-25 feet at fastball speed on the outside corner. I have pie plate targets attached on the opposite field side and instruct my students to hit the targets. I will not give them time to think about mechanics, just to set their plan. In just a short period of time they are banging the plates. This will train them to put themselves in the "wait mode" by simply saying to themselves "fastball away". About every 8-10 pitches I'll throw a change-up. If they are in front they didn't have a plan, most of the time they will recognize, sit and crush because they had worked diligently on the 2 strike approach and their body knows how to wait automatically. I will also mix in a fastball inside to see of they fight it off like they are suppose to do. The "look for your pitch" plan is taught next, but I will not get into that at this time. By knowing they can hit with 2 strikes gives them more confidence and patience to look for their pitch with less than 2 strikes. I would like to add that there is no substitute for the live arm throwing when working on these plans. Also, there is no substitute for experience. I could hit the offspeed pitch a lot better, if I had an idea it was coming, which is a whole different ballgame in itself (the game within the game). It also doesn't hurt if you have 20-13 vision. I hope this helped some and was not too wordy. I don't post often, but this subject was of great interest to me. I enjoy reading all the posts from such knowledgeable people. Nick, tell Brian hello. Mountainman
>
> Phil, I see that your question has still not been answered. While I recognize that some of the posters including mountainman have some valid ideas, I also recogize that you have made it clear you understand the mental aspect of hitting, and you are looking for a specific answer regarding the physical aspect of hitting.
> Here is the answer: wait longer before commiting to the slower-than-expected pitch. And of course your question is really what specific technique to use to "wait". Answer: (and I think this addresses your specific question that you had to repeat several times): DELAY HEEL PLANT. You asked if the delay should be in toe touch down and the answer is no. Simply let the toe touch down like normal but hold up slightly the heel plant.
> In the circles I travel in, people don't talk about scap, bottom hand torque and all, they talk about HITTING. Mind you, I am not being critical about an exchange of theoretical & abstract ideas. I am sure that this provides outright enjoyment to many (mostly parents, I suspect). But when one tries to carry an abstract, non-provable concept to the real world of hitting, it can indeed be counterproductive. I can understand your frustration with the previous responses, but I am sure everyone was well-intentioned. You were simply looking for a real-world answer from someone who played the game, and I assure you (as will my peers in the real world of hitting)I have played the game (and with distinction, I might add).Hopefully I was of some help.

I agree. It has to be the delay in heel down. If toe touch is delayed you'll be late on every fastball you see. Heel down is what triggers the swing.

The key to this though is your mechanics have to be good enough (and you have to be athletic enough) so that you are also "waiting" on the fastball. If you're trying to catch up to it, you'll look sick on every change you see.

If you're waiting, you'll just delay heel drop. You'll wait. If you're trying to catch up you can't wait a little longer because you're already rushing.

Having good bat quickness is the answer. Forget batspeed. Batspeed is way over sold. Of course it's good. "If" you connect. It's a total waste if you don't have the bat quickness to make good contact.

And the effort involved in generating batspeed usually causes rushing which keeps you from being able to delay the heel drop.

Shoot for balance, control, quickness.