Posted by: Jeff M () on Wed May 5 06:34:04 2004

7 out of 7 Trenton Thunder players (asked) denied any understanding whatsoever of torque as applied/encountered to/with the baseball swing. They agree/understand that the shoulder/hip coiling type effect generally gets them into the load/pre-launch position, but some (3) insisted that their swing is initiated by an inward kick of the lead knee...which then starts the shoulder turn, which then moves the bat handle almost straight back (towards 3B if RH hitter) not back towards catcher. The back movement varies, but roughly 5 inches on average. All agree that the lead/lower arm/hand brings the bat into position...with the top/right hand/arm/bicep taking over just before contact. All 7 players demonstrated very good swings, with 3/4 speed tempo driving the ball clear of wall, and into parking lot. In closing all 7 also agreed that OS FB is generally hit to opposite field...with substantially more reach.
> > > > > Jeff M
> > > >
> > > > Hi Jeff M,
> > > >
> > > > I saw clips of professional players pulling outside pitches for home runs. I am sure that if hits were directed towards any other fields, they would have registered as an out. Yet, if hitting to all fields is successful for some individuals, they should continue to do so.
> > > >
> > > > BHL
> > > >
> > > > P.S. I still advocate attempting to pull every pitch.
> > >
> > > Don't let the facts get in the way of your opinion.
> >
> > At least he backs up his opinions with logic. I never see you express an opinion other than to say you disagree with everyone and everything. No facts or logic, you just growl at everyone until you manage to get in the last insult. I have an idea, Teacherman, why don't you make just ONE post articulating a concept pertaining to hitting a baseball and let's see how good you are in defending your ideas (if you have any).
>
> Deal.................
>
> A hitter who tries to pull every outside pitch will never reach his potential. He'll eventually be the easiest out on the team as he goes up the skill level ladder. Give me a solid pitcher with above average velocity, a good curve ball and a good change up and he'll sit down on strike 3, ground out to short or secondbase, and hit lazy fly balls at a rate so fast that he'll soon have to sit the bench.
>
> How's that?...........

BHL...I agree that there are 1000's of examples of hitters pulling OS pitch, and I would also argue that there are the same number who pushed an inside FB on occasion...and yes perhaps even more who hit a routine flyball to deep CF off a middle pitch. That's the nature of the game...where a usually consistent hitter falls apart on a certain pitch, and is forced to adapt. I think solid contact/good swing off a good pitcher is really the only thing ML hitters focus on during an at-bat. Coaches work hard in trying to get hitters to hit behind the runners...this is an important part of the game, and I don't think the majority of ML/college hitters would approach their at-bat with an idea contrary to that plan/preference/process. Also, I am still working on the geometric model regarding the swing radius/setup position/arc length needed in order to substantiate or contradict your PFO theory. It's a little harder than I thought because of the unknown factors...and that if I presented a model with less than or greater than "normal" attributes...I could be accused of presented slanted information full of "holes"...similar to my rebuttal of your posts in the past. Also...if you go back in the archives, you will find some good posts from teacherman...he knows what he's talking about.
Just my thoughts,
Jeff M