Posted by: Andy (aaa) on Tue Jan 10 06:26:26 2006

Hitting Guru,

I think we all agree to keep the bat in the line of the pitch as long as possible. I'm simply pointing out that Schmidt/Ellis believe that you must swing "perfectly level" (0 degrees) in order to do so. The pitch generally comes in at a 5-10 degree downward angle, most high-level hitters swing up at a 5-10 angle in the impact zone. I have not advocated "uppecutting" (an angle greater than 10-15 degrees up at impact) at any point. I was simply pointing out the Schmidt/Ellis assertion that the pitch is traveling horizontal(0 degrees) to the ground at home plate, whcih anyone who has seen video knows is false.


Andy. For the most part I agree with what you have said with regard to the Mike Schmidt study of a combined system. My only disagreement would be your comments regarding the upward finish. If a player can time pitches properly he can finish with an upward finish as Williams did. It is the dramatic uppercut as illustrated in the Mike Schmidt study that causes the player to loop his bat toward the pitch rather than using the slight upswing. The loop (uppercut) is what decreases the contact percentage as the hitters swing is only in the contact zone for a small period of time. But I do feel we are getting closer to the correct analysis of what is actually taking place. And though I agree with the base of much of Schmidts' philosophy, we must be aware that it is the slight upswing and not the level swing that allows the bat to stay in the hitting area longest. And since Schmidt was not a high average hitter (and struck out a lot) we must keep our minds open to more efficient ways that will promote the high average as well.