Posted by: doc (sakkab001@hawaii.rr.com) on Wed Apr 7 12:45:03 2004

Theo has given excellent advice on hitting. Pitch recognition, pitch selection, count, timing, pitcher's velocity/tendencies/ arsenal, and game situation are all important at the plate.

But, its still important to practice and groove a consistent, mechanically sound, and powerful swing so that you can apply all of the above. Then deliver the blow without thinking, just reacting.

Pro and college players work harder than most at this, and are constantly working off the tee, swingaways, soft toss, short toss for mechanics. They do it for different pitch locations, also. They work on timing and reaction at batting practice, in the cage, watching from the dugout, from the on deck circle, and from discussing the pitcher's stuff with their teammates. It also helps to be athletic and gifted!

Doc

Professional hitters have thousands of at bats in the minor leagues b/f you see them on t.v. (with some exceptions but those guys are genetic freaks like Griffey, Bonds etc.) What these hitters develop with regards to handling off speed is this:
>
> 1. Pitch recognition: the more at bats, the more pitches you see the more trained your eye becomes. You can't solve all of your problems in a cage, get in as many leagues/games as you can and play baseball. Too many kids these days are hitting in the batting cage working on mechanics and not playing enough.
> 2. Pro hitters learn their strengths and weaknesses as hitters. If you struggle with the breaking pitch I'd suggest you leave it alone until you get two strikes. If you play in college or professionally obviously you can't do this but at the H.S. level it is a start. I'd say spit on that off speed stuff till you get two strikes unless it is an absolute hanger in which case you will just react.
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> Mechanics are somewhat important in that you must develop a swing that is short and directional while maximizing bat speed. By the way, all of you that keep going on and on about being rotational, I'll just say this: Bat speed does no good without direction. No offense, but rotational mechanics is not the key to hitting. Mechanics are important but vision, timing, and approach become much more important as time goes on.
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> By the way, great website, just because I disagree with some of the methodology of teaching does not mean I don't respect your effort. However, while I do believe in hip rotation it is no good without direction.
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>
> Hi All,
> >
> > I understand that for a good hitter, hitting a good curveball is hard to do, but a good hitter can hit bad curveballs. What do pros do, and what can I do, to better my ability to hit good curveballs??
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> > Thanks
> >
> > Tony