Posted by: MM (mmarasco@cinci.rr.com) on Fri May 31 09:01:11 2002

"By initiating the bat properly with torque and rotational energy, the average tension free swing of the hitter carries plenty of bat speed to clear the fence in most any direction. His main concern is timing and getting the plane of his swing in line with the ball. If he is a little high on the ball, it will be a sizzling grounder. Hit it square and you have a frozen-rope to the gaps"
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> My question is this: should I be "swinging for the fence" every at-bat or not?
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> In the batter's box, should I be thinking "I'm swinging for the fence here!"? Or should I be thinking, "I'm going to get the plane of my swing in line with the ball and hit it as hard as I can- I don't care if I end up hitting a hard grounder, a frozen rope, or a bomb!"?
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> I'm just trying to get the mental part of my game straight.
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> Gracias!


Hey Carlos,

I'm somewhat of a newcomer to Jack's specific line of thought, but quite honestly regardless as to LM or RM your at bats should consist of very little thinking. The actual at bats boil down to how well you've prepared + see the ball = hit the ball. I look forward to Jack's comments on your question but you will find the thinking you are asking about should happen at home and at the cage and pregame. I expect Jack's reply to be during those times your thinking is about getting your mechanics and approach right take that to your at bats and you'll simply find the fences by design as opposed to intention.
However, I do look forward to Jack's comments on this.

MM