Posted by: Mike Myers (mike.myers@bell.ca) on Mon Jun 20 21:00:10 2005

> > >>> I agree that a hitter's primary concern should be "getting the correct mechanics down."
> >
> > However, once a hitter learns these mechanics, why hit balls to parts of the park where they will result in outs, rather than home runs?
> >
> > Morever, most seem to agree that Bonds has mechanics worthy of emulation. In this thread, Jack also adds that "Bonds pulls about everything regardless of where it is pitched."
> >
> > Well, does it not sound logical to master mechanics which will make pulling every pitch possible.
> >
> > Gentlemen, I think it is time for another PFO debate.
> >
> > Best Wishes to All,
> > BHL <<<
> >
> > Hi BHL
> >
> > You are right. Bonds, like many of the top hitters, can pull most balls regardless the pitch location. The problem is, very few (if any) of the players that read your advice has the mechanics and experience of those top hitters. With the mechanics employed by most of your readers, trying to pull outside pitches will lead them to far more failures than success.
> >
> > BHL, unlike you, most of these kids are not playing slowpitch softball where the ball is in the air long enough to move around in the box and address most pitches as middle-in. In addition, most of these hitters have not perfected their mechanics well enough to consistently hit outside fastballs straightaway much less trying to pull it down the line. --- I think you doing the average hitter a great disservice with your campaign.
> >
> > Jack Mankin
>
> Hi Jack:
>
> What if I said get rotational mechanics down first, and then adjust the swing so that it could pull every pitch? Does this seem to make more sense?
>
> I still believe that rotational hitters that pull every pitch will define the future era of baseball.
>
> Best Wishes,
> BHL

I agree with Jack. It's not only rotational skills which need be honed.

The fact is to consistently pull outside pitches for homeruns you have to have a large frame (i.e. wide shoulder width) - one which effectively makes your CHP radius as condusive to hitting outside pitches as the average hitter has for pitches over the plate.

You can teach rotational mechanics, you cannot teach a small individual to consistently pull outside pitches for homeruns.

Look at Bond's transition over the years - he's much wider now than when he was with the Pirates.

Mike.