Posted by: Major Dan (markj89@charter.net) on Wed Jan 29 12:56:14 2003

What do hitters mean when they refer to staying "inside of the ball" and how does that apply to rotational mechanics.

Phil-
great question. Any baseball 'insider' will throw this phrase around. If you don't act as if you know, understand and have pity for anyone who doesn't understand this, you will be treated like somebody's poor cousin.
If you get an explanation, it will include phrases like 'not having a long swing', 'short to the ball', and other vague phrases.
Ask them to show you and you start getting knob to the ball cues, fence drills, etc.
One thing is probably true. The higher level guys: scouts, college coaches, etc. know it when they see it, even if they don't really understand it. If you don't stay inside the ball, they don't want you.
Beyond that you're on your own.

I have my own opinion of what it means but lets here from some other contributors first. This is a good topic.