Posted by: BHL (Knight1285@aol.com) on Fri Nov 5 18:03:49 2004

We teach Rotational mechanics but stress to hit the ball where it is pitched and to get a good pitch to hit.We want our hitters hitting the ball hard and have quality at bats.
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> BHL if Ted Williams did it with jis poor mechanics he was stilll successful so I guess anyone can do it.

Hi Falcon and Dereck,

I believe in pull field orientation since the bat is traveling the fastest when it hits the ball. In addition to this advantage, the ball will be hit where it can be hit the hardest to the shortest fence--left or right field, depending on whether or not the batter hits right or left-handed. This also allows "mistakes" (i.e., 340 ft. pop-ups) to carry over the fence. These are the geometric advantages that I alluded to in an earlier post.

As far as examples are concerned, Mac pulled a Randy Johnson heater over the outer part of the plate 538 ft. to left-center field in 1996. In 1998, he pulled an outside Billy Wagner pitch 485 ft. over the dead left field fence. We should not forget that his record-breaking home run resulted from pulling a Steve Treve Traschel low-and-away change-up over the left field fence down the line.

Look at Ken Griffey, Jr., and you will see that he also pulled outside pitches down the line for home runs at the Kingdome. In 1998, for instance, he opened the season by pulling an outside pitch for a home run.

Barry Bonds also employs this tactic often, as did Johnny Damon when he enjoyed an explosive post-season. Ted Williams and Killebrew are illustrations of old-timers who implemented this method, especially the great Mickey Mantle.

Miguel Tejada used this technique to rack up 15 home runs in the home run derby; Jeromy Burnitz, Jason Giambi, and Luis Gonzalez were particularly effective in using this line of attack to finish high in the standings in such contests.

How can we pull the ball effectively, no matter where it is pitched.

Well, in Jack's view, one must implement THT, and he might be right.

One must also, as SBL one suggested, stand close to the plate, and learn how to turn on pitches on the inner half.

I believe in a pull-every-pitch philosophy, but do not wish to put down those who argue contrariwise.

I read all youir comments, and they were all interesting. Read this, and tell me what you think.

Sincerely,
BHL
Knight1285@aol.com

P.S. I will provide more examples if necessary.