Posted by: BHL (Knight1285@aol.com) on Sat Mar 27 21:17:45 2004

Hi all,
> > > >
> > > > I unearthed an integral concept that will allow individuals will poor power to center and to right to increase the amount of home runs that they will produce. At this point in time, this idea is simply in its hypothetical form; therefore, I cannot offer quantitative quotes as to how this method will increase a hitter's productivity. Nevertheless, I can explain the delineation behind the proposition.
> > > >
> > > > Let's assume that a right-handed batter has the capability to hit a ball 375 feet to left field, 360 to left center, 345 to center, 330 to right center, and 315 to right. Now, let's suppose the home run distance to right is 330; to left center, 365; to center, 400; to right center, 365, and to right, 330. If the player hits 25 fly balls--5 balls as hard as he can to each field--he clears left by 45 feet, but falls 5 feet short on his hits to left center; 55 feet short on his shots to center; 35 feet short on his shots to right center; and, finally, 15 feet shorts on his fly balls to right.
> > > >
> > > > Now suppose he pulls every ball...Obviously, every hit would wind up a home run, and he would wind up hitting 20 more home runs than he did the previous year. What this hitter discovered is that the placement of fly balls is just as significant as how hard they are hit. By attempting to pull every pitch--a hitting taboo--this individual has given himself an advantage over other hitters. As a member of my family once said, a 375 foot fly ball does no good when directed toward center field.
> > > >
> > > > For this reason, I disagree with Mankin's belief that balls should be directed towards center field. He should, instand, encourage batters to take advantage of a system that allows them to pull both inside and outside pitches.
> > > >
> > > > Eventually, once a hitter masters batspeed.com's theories, he should try to pull all his balls.
> > > >
> > > > Sincerely,
> > > > BHL
> > > > Knight1285@aol.com
> > > >
> > > > P.S. Mac's 62nd home run was an outside pitch pulled to left, into his power field (Ted Williams terminology).
> > >
> > > I suggest you write poetry.
> >
> > Hi All,
> >
> > The reactions to my hypothesis has been mixed thus far--some approving, some dissenting. Yet, if you think about it in mathematical terms, it makes much more sense.
> >
> > We shall begin with the inside, since it is the pitcher's weapon of choice to break bats. Nevertheless, if you create a tight arc, and pull the ball (assuming the batter is right handed), you have a chance to deposit the ball into the left field seats.
> >
> > When hitters discover that you are using a tight arc, they can choose to gear their pitches towards the middle of plate. Ironically, you can prolong their nightmares by doing what Mankin suggests--widening the arc--and hit the ball at the same contact point. The results will be the same, but because the bathead is traveling on in a wider arc on a pitch down the middle, instead of inside, the ball gets hit even deeper into the seats.
> >
> > Ultimately, the pitcher may decide to pitch you away, but you can counter this tactical move by using the widest arc available to
> > hit the ball in the same contact point as the former pitch. Since Mankin has proved that the widest arc will generate the greatest amount of batspeed, the pitch may wind up beyond the seats.
> >
> > Seen in this light, the mental approach is simple. The hitter looks for pitches inside all the time, and has ample time to adjust by widening the arc if the pitch is outside. This is what home run hitting is all about. Marvin is right--pulling the ball all the time is beneficial, so long as the person knows how to execute the task at hand.
> >
> > Cheers!
> > BHL,
> > Knight1285
> >
> > P.S. Marv, thanks for the kind words.
> > I'm not exactly sure if I see how a wider arc creates the most bat speed. So if we keep looking for an inside pitch, what if the pitcher throws a hook or a changeup outside? I still prefer the guess pitch mental approach, pick up pitching patterns and pick a good pitch to swing at. In your pull-hitting theory, that would mean waiting for an inside fastball or waiting till the pitcher comes inside with something.

Hi Dougdinger, et. al,

You are right. There may be other players, instructors, and analysts who believe that taking a "dead pull-hitting" approach on all pitches is beneficial, regardless of location, since it provides the shortest distance for a home run. Therefore, I would like to give all these individuals the credit that they so richly deserve.

My theory differs in one fundamental way: it affords the smaller player a chance to use side the mental side of approaching to achieve the home run output of the bigger hitters who "hit to all fields." Suppose a bigger power hitter clubs 15 home runs over the 330 sign of left field, 15 over the 400 mark in center, and 15 over 330 feet in right. Sure, the small hitter can hit 375 feet to left, but loses 30 home runs to the other field.

But if the player uses a "handicap"--and pulls every pitch--now he winds up with 45 home runs instead of 15. Instead of ending up with 1/3 of the other's output, he may tie him for the home run lead: 45 home runs, and 45 home runs. Please remember that traditional hitting stats do not take into account the distance that the home runs were hit. Seen in this light, a smaller player can equal the greatness of a larger player by using strategy, and "aiming" towards hitting consistent, albeit less glamarous, home runs.

As far as I know Doug, some of the annotated citations I will give you differ from what I have to say.

Epstein, Mike. "Mike Epstein on Hitting." Monterey: Coaches Corner 2003.

Epstein believes in hitting the inside pitch to left, but he advises individuals to take the outside pitch the other way.

Ferroli, Steve. "Hit Your Potential." Chicago: Masters, 1998.

Ferroli agrees that a pull hitter will tend to hit some outside pitches to center, but believes that if a pull hitter casts to pull the ball, he is "hitting out of style.

Schmidt, Mike, and Rob Ellis. "The Mike Schmidt Study." Atlanta: McGriff and Bell, 1994.

Schmidt agrees that pull hitters have great success on inside pitches, due to a concept that he explains later--specifically, focusing on getting jammed--but concludes these hitters are poor on pitches middle-away.

Williams, Ted, and John Underwood. "The Science of Hitting." New York: Simon and Schuster, 1996.

Williams deserves credit in acknowledging that he tried to pull everything, with great results, but he does not recommend this approach, since "shifts" can be used against these individuals.

My philosophy pertains to the "handicap" philosophy, which I defended above.

Sincerely,
BHL
Knight1285@aol.com

P.S. Certain individuals have posted good arguments about style, success, and pitches. First and foremost, I want to give a little guy a chance to be a home run hitter with this style; yet, if he feels more comfortable using another approach, that is his perrogative. Secondly, if an individual likes to "go with pitch," instead of pulling it, that is his choice; nevertheless, I believe that, because of the batspeed produced, mishits will often result in singles, rather than ground outs. Finally, if a pitcher is trying to walk him obviously, he should "take his base"; however, if he receives breaking balls on the outside pitches he can either continue to pull the ball, which will result in hard enough spin to produce "seeing-eye" hits, or he can take the pitch the other way, as one poster suggested, and drive the pitcher "nuts." Thanks for participating, and I look forward to your responses.