Posted by: tom.guerry (tom.guerry@kp.org) on Fri Jan 31 17:20:56 2003

Here is a question to anyone for analysis. If we divide the hitting zone into 4 areas (inside low, inside high, outside low, outside high) does the style of hitting, either linear or rotational lend itself to being more effective in hitting a particular zone and thus creating the weakness or strengths of each hitter? I know this seems like a very wordy question but it brings a second dimension to hitting techniques which is knowing your strengths and weaknesses when you step into the batters box. Most average hitters are two zone hitters. Your above average hitters are three zone hitters and one in a million can hit all four zones. If a person would examine the hitting style of the greatest hitters is it the ability to hit all zones or the ability to reconize which zones they hit the best and concentrating on their strengths? I guess it is a two part question.
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> thanks
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> dave

You might try reading the pdf documents at Epstein's website(He is a Williams guy).Here is an attempt at summary:

Timing is significantly different inside vs outside.You should be looking in or out in general,not trying to cover both unless the situation demands it(2-strike approach,etc).In either half(inside vs out),you can train to adjust up or down on the fly(automatic learned adjustment as pitch is recognized and swing progresses).Again the situation may dictate looking in a certain location that makes you likely to hit to one side or the other or in air vs on ground.You need to know yourself and the opposition in this case.

Taking a full swing that is quick/fast requires rotational mechanics.Epstein classifies types of rotational hitters based on how much they lean the axis of rotation back in general(how much you "sit" behind the axis in "cue"/"feel" terms).More lean back gives more overall upswing/more elevation.Power hitters lean back most,singles least,line drive hitters in between.

Bonds leans way back.Hank Aaron is pretty upright.Within the general type/degree of lean,up down adjustmants are made primarily by degree of bend at the waist,but also via some fine tuning of how much the axis is leaning.

With a high ball,you can try at least two ways to make contact.You can keep the axis leaning back and try for contact further into the swing,or you can starighten the axis and get to the ball sooner.The first method takes longer,and if the batter is late and popping these up,they "raise their sites" or "get more on top" to get the bat there sooner.See Epstein's recent "flare" post.

On the fly adjustment to change of speed can be made by changing the timing of launch.See Epstein's "weight forward post" in his forum.

Knowing how you adjust and how this effects your overall timing is important for setting your swing to swing plan.It pays to know yourself and your mechanics.