Posted by: Major Dan (markj89@charter.net) on Wed Jun 5 11:09:18 2002

Who thinks it is possible for a batter to see the ball from the time of release all the way to contact with the bat? I am talking about a pitch traveling at least 60 mph.
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> > I hear coaches, batting instructors, mothers, fathers and grandmothers telling hitters to watch the ball all the way to the bat. Since young batters are being told to do this it seems important to know-- "Is it or is it not physically possible to watch the ball all the way until contact?"
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> > Why aren't you people responding. I am wondering my self.
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> > F J
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> It is possible to follow the ball all the way in but I would recommend against it if your goal is hitting.
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> Your brain has already anticipated a contact location and set an automatic series of learned events into motion while the ball is still 15 or 20 ft out there(closer for slow pitching).
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> When you look at most great players,they are still looking out to the mound or justdrop the chin a little by contact.
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> Turning the head or chin significantly back to the catcher is not good.Epstein finds that this limits rotation.
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> Nyman believes you track the ball with the "ambient" visual system after fine focus at release.Trying to consciously keep focussed on the ball interferes with the subconscious execution of swings.
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> I like to keep the head looking out toward an imaginary pitcher even with tee work,so the ball on the tee is just seen out of the corner of the eye.
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> It doesn't take much variation to make a drill totally different fron the actual skill,so don't waste time perfecting drills instead of skills.

Tom, I agree with what you said, except that at faster speeds, the eye is unable to refocus and track the ball as it goes by the batter.
The change of direction in the final 5-10' in front of the batter, and then as it passes by the batter are so significant that either the batter loses sight of the ball as it nears, or looks ahead and picks it up as it goes by. You can do either one but not both.
But that does not negate any of your points, Tom.
The lesson is to see it well up to and until the swing is launched, track with the head facing the pitcher and look the ball 'down' as it comes in, but not turn the head and look the ball 'by'.