Posted by: BHL (Knight1285@aol.com) on Sat Apr 2 00:00:34 2005

Hi Scott:

Babe Ruth, Ken Griffey Jr., Mel Ott, Mickey Mantle, Ted Williams, and Harmon Killebrew all pulled nearly every pitch. Moreover, Griffey, Ott, and Williams did not have any bulk advantage whatsoever. Nevertheless, all of the above pulled both inside and outside pitches.

Scott, individuals who hit the ball the the opposite field--even though its dimension are symmetrical to the pull field--usually do not have enough bat-speed to clear the fence. Although hitting a 400 foot shot the center may impress many, a 410 fence makes hitting to this part of the field wasted effort IMO. On the other hand, those who use efficient mechanics to pull all pitches will have the advantage of hitting the ball to the shortest field where the ball can be hit with the most power.

My original impetus of starting my theory was not to discredit those who believe in spray, straight-away, or opposite field hitting, but to avoid coaches from telling players that can clear the pull field fence--but no other fence--that they must hit singles. It is obvious why coaches do this: players might hit 5 balls that are home runs when pulled, and 35 balls that are outs when hit to any other field. Yet, if the batter uses effecient mechanics, and pulls all those pitches, they end up as home runs.

During two strikes, the hitter can always revert back to using all field if strikeouts are a worry.

To read more information on the BHL Pull Hitting Debate, please read my posts about this topic in March 2004.

Best Wishes,
BHL
Knight1285@aol.com

P.S. No matter how many individuals use shifts, a defense cannot guard against a 340 foot fly ball.