Posted by: BatMan () on Sun Dec 9 16:17:09 2001

Can somebody please explain to me how squashing the bug and hitting an outside pitch can be accomplished. If you squash the bug, won't your hips be turned over to the third base side? How is it possible to take the pitch to right field?
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> > > > > > tom,
> > > > > >
> > > > > > "squashing the bug" can be interpreted by different people, many different ways. as a general rule i don't advocate the seemingly physical translation of what the term seemingly implies. therefore, an answer by me would just muddy the water. sorry for the cop-out, but if you better define what you mean (in physical terms) by "squashing the bug"?
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> > > > > > but, your question has generated the most interesting discussion here, in a long time.
> > > > > > if i may, tom, with apologies to you, ask a question of all recent posters to this thread (yourself, batman, jack, tom.guerry).
> > > > > >
> > > > > > assumptions:
> > > > > > rh pitcher
> > > > > > rh batter
> > > > > > normal stance (not up nor back, nor in nor out)
> > > > > > fastball with no movement, belt high
> > > > > >
> > > > > > question:
> > > > > > two pitches thrown - one over the center of the plate and one on the outside corner.
> > > > > > where do you feel the optimum contact point for either pitch is, in relation to home plate?
> > > > > >
> > > > > > ray porco
> > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > > i should have said
> > > > >
> > > > > rh rotational batter
> > > > >
> > > > > and hi shawn, i would like to hear your answer to the above question as well.
> > > > >
> > > > > ray porco
> > > > >
> > > > > I would love to hear the answer as well. This question has been on this site time and again.
> > > >
> > > > Again, it has to do with optimum bat angle ( in relation to home plate), which in turn is related to what part of the ball you hit (middle, inside, outside). And in the end, contacting the ball optimally determines whether you prematurely roll over the top hand.
> > >
> > >
> > > >>> My thoughts are it could still depend on the hitter,A big guy like Mcgwire can easily drive the ball up the middle on the o.s. corner.Where someone with less range may be comfortable hitting the other way.When I hit I can feel comfortable pulling a ball down the middle in the gap and hitting it out front of the plate a few inches.If the ball is outer third I can easily take it up the middle and I try to hit it so bat is near lead knee and perpendicular to ball.On extreme os pitch I hit it the ball near the back os corner of the plate with barrel behind the hands .I think the amount of casting that someone feels comfortable with also plays a big part on where you hit each pitch.
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> > batman and rql,
> >
> > thanks for the responses.
> >
> > i agree with what you say. in fact, i said just about the same things you guys are talking about in an earlier post in response to a question posed by jack - "Should we teach pulling the outside pitch as well as going to the opposite field?"
> > (re: hitting the outside pitch ray porco sat dec 9 05:53:56 2000)
> > if you care to read it.
> >
> > but you guys still haven't answered the question. i respect the variables that both of you have introduced:
> > batman - "...has to do with optimum bat angle..." and "...what part of the ball you hit..."
> > rql - "...it could still depend on the hitter." (meaning size and stature - i assume)
> >
> > to batman: assume optimum bat angle is bat perpendicular to ball. sweet spot of bat in the direct opposite direction of the path of the sweet spot of the ball.
> >
> > to rql: assume batter is of "average" or "normal" size.
> >
> > further assumption: assume that the batter has such positioned himself as to make optimum contact (perpendicular) with the ball at the "front edge at center" of the plate, with the ball pitched over the center of the plate.
> >
> > question: where do you make optimum contact (in relation to position on/off the plate) with the ball pitched over the outside edge of the plate?
> >
> >
> > i have a lot to say about this topic. it will take a fairly long post and i plan to put it up next weekend (not that anyone gives a good ****, but i'm gonna do it anyway). this will give tom, jack, tom.guerry, shawn, and anyone else (major dan, mark h., t.olson, grc - hope i didn't forget anyone and if they care to) time to respond.
> >
> > thanks,
> > ray porco
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> rql,
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> sorry, rql. if your about "average" size, then you answered the question quite clearly.
>
> ray porco


Ray, if I understand your question, you are asking how far in front of plate should ball be contacted for each contact point. If that is your question, I think the question has been asked but never answered at this site. It seems that when, for the sake of understand we try to zero in on specifics such as bat angles, how many inches in front of the plate, etc, people shy away. But I'll give you my input, for whatever that may be worth.

Using the front edge of home plate as a reference point , assuming the stride foot lands even with front edge of home plate,and assuming a left handed hitter, this is my analysis.An inside pitch should be contacted aprox. 20 inches in front of home plate, the ball should be contacted about 8:00 position, and the bat will be aprox 30 degrees. (Remember, front edge of home plate being the reference point and therefore zero degrees. Middle pitch should be contacted aprox. 10 inches in front of home plate, ball should be contacted at 6:00 position and bat angle about zero degrees. Outside pitch should be contacted about even with front of home plate, ball should be contacted at about 4:30 position and bat angle, for lack of a better word would be a "negative" 15 degrees or so.

DISCLAIMER: I recognize all of the obvious variables, such as where the stride foot lands, the fact that some hitters might be better off pulling a middle pitch rather than yaking it to center, etc. But that is my model.

REMINDER: I previously made a comment as to the lack of frame-by-frames analysis for the various contact points. This analysis is absent from most instructional videos and books.