Posted by: BHL (Knight1285@aol.com) on Sun Nov 28 15:25:13 2004

Hi BHL,
> > > > Do you promote opposite field hitting?What does PFO mean?
> > >
> > > Hi Erik,
> > >
> > > I do not promote any hitting approach, since that is up to the individual to decide. If one gets results going the other way, so be it.
> > >
> > > The problem with hitting to all fields, though, is it is not conducive to a smaller player's power number. These players often quit teams because they are relegated to the "punch and judy" approach. After all, hitting a ball 350 feet in the air on a high fly to any field except the pull field is usually an out. However, when one pulls pitches, even ones outside, even borderline popups can turn into home runs.
> > >
> > > I applaud you for your Instructo-Swing, and having Griffey demonstrate how to use it.
> > >
> > > When it comes to approach, though, Griffey probably uses Instructo-Swing mechanics to pull the ball.
> > >
> > > Just look back in 1998, when, at the beginning of the season, Griffey abandoned a bunt, and hit the ball over the 316 foot mark in the Kingdome on a low-and-away outside fastball, the most difficult to pull.
> > >
> > > Nice conversing with a gentleman,
> > > BHL
> > > Knight1285@aol.com
> > >
> > > P.S. PFO stands for pull field orientation, or the aptitude of pulling every pitch. Personally, I do not believe in hitting the other way, since the balls get struck with less force. These issues, though, are for an individual to decide, not a coach.
> >
> > Hi BHL
> >
> > How come you only quote aone hit here or one hit there that are great examples of PFO of the great hitters. There should be, if your theories are right, hundreds of examples each year from the major league hitters. I do not see this. Is it because all the big hitters are big and strong and this is only for smaller hitters. Then in this case should you not be quoting examples from the smaller statured home run hitters from the majors. Do not use Bonds, Griffey etc because they are large players who do not need to pull the ball to hit a homerun.
> >
> > I am not saying that pulling a pitch does not happen but I think it happens more often because the players stand on top of the plate and the pitch that used to be an ooutside pitch is now a pitch over the middle of the plate in relative terms. Have the players take off the armour and I do not think you would see this to continue to happen. Any comment
> >
> > Dave
> > Dave do you watch major league games? You don't need the help of a statatiscian to observe that most major league homeruns are hit to cf and the pull field, especially the pull field.I do disagree with BHL on one thing: most PFO's in the majors do NOT crowd the plate like Bonds does.Next season on ESPN, watch the highlights on Baseball Tonight.There are usually at least 15 or more homeruns as part of the highlights, and almost all of them are to the pull field. And in college and high school ball, I don't see anything different, they are also PFO's. PFO's are the rule, not the exception, and the focus should be on how to acquire PFO and THT skills.

Hi Dave and Mickey,

Right now I am making copius observations of a number of PFO hitters. Miguel Tejada is a short individual who uses PFO to amass respectable power numbers. Incidentally, Mel Ott did likewise years ago, as did Hack Wilson. All individuals mentioned are 5'9" or under.

And what about Griffey, Williams, and an early Barry Bonds? In the beginning of their careers, all were under 200 pounds, notably "The Splendid Splinter."

Fernando Tatis, formerly of the Cardinals, also enjoyed success while using this theory.

When Biggio is "hot," he will pull a great percentage of his pitches.

All these individuals are not tall or bulky, but people that hit the ball to the right part of park with power. Anywhere else, a 350 foot shot would be an out.

BHL