Posted by: t olson () on Sun Mar 10 10:12:18 2002

"""" In order to generate a tighter hand-path for inside pitches, the rotational hitter must lower his back-elbow to the side more quickly. ..... To apply maximum bottom-hand-torque by contact, the back-elbow must remain back and maintain the “L” position. – The lead-arm can remain fairly straight except for pitches where the batter is jammed with the pitch.""""""

I agree, when I'm talking backside power, it's not so much in the form of back arm extension and more in that the entire backside has to have the feeling of pushing through the front side (displacing it) to create the tighter rotation you refer to--at least on inside pitches that are tight. On a pitch that jams you, it is extremely difficult to get any extension on the back arm. But that's not the same as the backside which has to be even more powerful to get the backside through the front.

""""" – Extra flex in the lead-arm does cost power, especially opposite field and up the middle, and most well hit balls must be pulled.
>
> On outside pitches, lead-shoulder rotation is restricted to allow the hands to arc out into a wider path. The back-elbow and hands now sweep out in a wider arc as the elbow lowers toward the batter’s side. This allows top-hand-torque to be applied over a greater portion of the swing. So, on outside pitches, the back-arm is extended well past the “L” position.
> """"""""


The back arm being extended on the outside pitch IMO just allows the front arm pull to be applied across a wider arc. If the back"side" takes to much of an active role on the outside you can get very early rollover. I agree the outside pitch is a disadvantaged position either way. However, when the "dog hits the end of the leash" it's surprising how hard it can be hit irregardless of the disadvantaged position. For the outside pitch, I just don't feel the backside can really do a lot except allow the front side to pull accross a wider arc. The front arm casts out earlier away from it's position draped across the chest.

Maybe we are talking about the extremes but the better the pitcher--the more you won't see one down the middle. I see most pros setting up well away from plate than youths (and that's even considering size differences) Pros have the same problems with getting jammed as the youth hitter. Difference is they've learned to deal with the outside pitch. Now they can setup so that the pitch on the inside of the plate is more like a pitch down the middle. The one that jams the pro seriously is generally not a strike. Or it's one they started to anticipate outside that breaks in.