Posted by: BHL (Knight1285@aol.com) on Fri Jul 23 17:54:26 2004

in our last dialog concerning pulling outside pitches, you agreed that the further the ball was away from the hitter the harder it was to hit the ball with authority..your solution was to crowd the plate.......but would you agree or disagree that in major league hardball this is not a practical solution?....mlb pitchers will not even tolerate a hitter getting within a foot of the plate, let alone 3 or 4 inches....brushback or knowdown pitches may not sound fair but that is the reality....your thoughts?
> >
> > Hi grc,
> >
> > My solution would be to move a moderate distance from the plate, while learning how to swing a longer bat faster.
> >
> > If you are too far off the plate, reaching the outside pitch becomes an impossibility.
> >
> > However, if most people crowd the plate, their discomfort level rises.
> >
> > Doing what I suggested will allow an individual to pull all pitches without sacrificing plate coverage (Ferroli), and will allow him or her, as Mike Schmidt pointed out, do what Charley suggested: "Avoid the extremes."
> >
> > Sincerely,
> > BHL
> > Knight1285@aol.com
> >
> > P.S. Note: The word "extremes" is not applicable to all situations in my model, only to this one; hence, when I use the word, I mean to use it in the singular, rather than the plural, form.
> >
> > Once again, thank you for warding off those who try to attack the characters of others--it's a very noble thing of you to do.
>
> BHL, there are limits to how close a hitter can get to the plate without risking a knockdown pitch, and there are legal limits to the length of a bat....i agree, if, in theory a 48 inch bat was legal, then maybe your theory would be sound...but there are legal limits......so the question is, can YOU, BHL stand at least one foot from the plate with a legal bat, put a ball on a tee and hit it with as much authority as you could an inside pitch?

Hi grc,

Yes I can. In fact, I seem to hit the outside pitches with more authority over the fences than the inside pitches (which also carry over); however, I am just speaking for myself.

What I proposed is a useful model, but, not any means, is a prerequisite for all hitters.

My pull field orientation is just there for people who seek a geometric advantage to bolster numbers.

Yet, if you believe the centerfield approach works the best for you, then use it, and use it your advantage.

Respectfully,
BHL
Knight1285@aol.com

P.S. I believe that the rules allow the hitter to use a bat over 40 inches. When I have the time, I will do some research on that to verify my measurements.