Posted by: tom.guerry (tom.guerry@kp.org) on Sun Feb 17 14:25:21 2002

Can you elaborate on the Epstein theory of opening up and rotating with 2 strikes,pros and cons as you see them.

RQL-

See:

1-www.mikeepsteinhitting.com/images/CollegiateBaseball8enh.pdf

2-Mike's reply to my post of 12/31/01 on his support forum


I think Mike has made a very useful extension of Williams theories.Williams recommended staying on top of the ball,closing the stance and pushing the swing to adjust for the 2-strike/contact situation.This is one type of "inside-out swing".

In general,you need to interpret "inside-out only as hands still ahead of bathead at contact.This could happen in a "bad" way by pushing the swing,or in a "good" way by staying rotational but hooking the handpath(radius of handpath lessens,angular velocity of hands orbiting body increases keeping hands ahead of bathead swinging out for a longer period of time before bathead releases-this keeps inside location fair,for example when you pull back with the bottom hand to hook the handpath without power suffering very much.

Epstein recommends the same mechanics for the two-strike situation as for the regular swing of the "singles/contact hitter".The swing is shortened by an open stance,upright axis,and emphasizing "staying inside the ball" or using the inside-out(in the "good" sense)swing-hitting the inside location more square instead of pulling it.There are many important mental aspects to this as he explains-especially "know thyself" and have a plan for each pitch.Theoretically,these mechanics gain time by shortening the swing without sacrificing too much batspeed.The swing is similar to the full swing of the line drive or power hitter,so you don't have to master too many swings.And,the strike zone is not "closed down" as it is for the closed stance recommended by Williams which makes it hard to cope with the inside heater.

The biggest problem I see is that it is a big challenge for the rotational hitter to maintain good mechanics in this situation.Not only is there maximum pressure which can cause the hitter to lose confidence and revert to old(less rotational) mechanics,but in my experience,the more open the stance,the harder it is to stay rotational.This is a hard concept for many to grasp,but is usually true.Striding to an open position ofeten accentuates any tendency for the hips to sway(go linear) instead of rotate.This is well known in golf,but under-appreciated in hitting where body rotation principles are much the same.