Posted by: Coach C () on Wed Apr 7 10:02:09 2004

Pulling all pitches in no way, shape or form, cures poor transfer mechanics. The majority of hitters extend their arms to pull baseballs........this is a no-no!

For the record a baseball field is set up with center field being the furthest, why do you suppose it's set up that way? Maybe it's because too many home runs would be hit if it were closer than left and right. So where is the power really to left or center. I would suggest that optimizing a straight ball to a square bat (perpendicular) increases the collision factor. As opposed to not squaring the bat to the incoming the pitch. The latter increases the likehood of putting undesireable side-spin on the ball and minimizing the sweet spot, ie....top-spin roller, etc. Bonds is strong enough to hit balls out by pulling, but his farthest balls will always be to dead center......better collision factor.

Only my opinion, so for those that want to pull........do it.

For many of us, hitting the ball up the middle (assuming good tranfer mechanics), minimizes any potential timing errors. Bonds pulls the ball, Pujols, Ramirez and A-Rod try to go middle. I think looking at their spray charts would bare this out.

Coach C