Posted by: Maximum () on Fri Aug 17 16:53:35 2001

I am 15 years old and play on my provincial team. I tend to choke up when I get two strikes. I don't mean an inch, I mean maybe a half inch. I find myself getting a lot of hits and line drives when I do this. I am wondering if I should maybe choke up a quarter of an inch to a half inch all the time. I am not sure whether or not this fits me though. I am a four hitter and I am 6' 1" 205lbs.
> > If you are getting two strikes, THEN hit good, do choke up every single pitch and maybe you won't get to 2 strikes as much. Find out what fits you best. Experiment with different grips and bat handles.
>
> Choking up WILL NOT decrease your power, especially if you make better contact. A perfect example is Barry Bonds. He chokes up every swing and look what he's done throughout his career. But I think you should still experiment as Maximum suggested.
Ted Williams said something like this "choke up an inch on a 33 ounce bat and it becomes a 32 ounce bat."