Posted by: woco14 (smoaksb@email.wofford.edu) on Tue Nov 2 07:25:08 2010

Jack- question on big leaguers hitting off-speed, particularly those hitters with a leg kick, does foot plant occur at the same time for an off-speed pitch? Or does it always land just before the swing starts? Basically, unless the hitter is fooled by the pitch, he reads the curveball and delays foot-plant until he begins the swing? It's not a noticeable delay though just very natural during the read which is why I believe it goes unnoticed.

The reason Im asking is it seems everyone always preaches get your foot down so you can read the pitch, but I look at guys like Jose Bautista and he hits homers on 80mph breakers and 95mph heat with what appears to be the same swing (with foot-plant still occurring just before the swing). There doesn't appear to be a delay from foot-plant and swing. It looks like he reads the pitch prior to getting to launch position.

Anyone feel free to help clarify