Posted by: BHL (Knight1285@aol.com) on Wed Jul 28 14:21:31 2004

Great to see and read posts from old familiar "faces" again...was worried setpro got the best of batspeed authors...but clearly see that is not the case any more. Just one comment:
> >
> > 1) BHL...it is not possible to pull-hit an OS pitch with the power/authority you could muster on an inside pitch...in fact depending on bat length, weight, hitters reach, pitch velocity and so on...it's not likely that (you) can pull an OS ball at all...let alone with authority (360 to 400-ft)...but I think maybe you could manage a 10-hopper to SS. Don't bother explaining about your model or drills off a tee, or someone feeded you soft-toss (while you step on the plate)...it's JUST NOT THE SAME as facing a late breaking curveball or a gased up FB. But you... do... know that...right ???
> > Jeff M
> >
> Jeff,
>
> I understand the logic you are trying to convey, but you leave out something very important. What is actually an "outside pitch" to one person may well be within reach as what someone else would consider an "inside pitch."
>
> This isn't limited solely to a 17" wide area of home plate. Some batters do stand more closely to the plate than others. Also, and I suspect this to be the case for BHL, some of us have been blessed with longer arms than others.
>
> These factors do make it easier for some to pull an "outside pitch" than others. Notice I use quotes around outside pitch. I have always hit pitches on the outside part of the plate to right center (I'm a lefty) very hard. Anyone who knows me will attest to this. I pull inside pitches to dead right. In actuality, I hit those "outside" pitches farther then the inside ones.
>
> Someone with shorter arms could not stand exactly where I do in the batter's box and hit the same pitches exactly where I do...he would probably have to go opposite field with a pitch on the outside part of the plate or hit it off the end of the bat if he tried to pull it.
>
> These are my thoughts on the matter. I've played enough ball to qualify my comments...although I don't believe any of us has this all "figured out." Once we begin to feel that we actually understand something, we're just setting ourselves up for our next humbling experience in a game that has that very tendancy...to humble us from time to time!
>
> Marcus

Hi Marcus,

Yes, long arms can be of great assistance in pulling outside pitches. Great observation.

Best regard,
BHL
Knight1285@aol.com

P.S. Marcus, I do not try to "force" my theories on everyone, as some people may suggest. I am just offering a theory so that smaller players can inflate their statistics. If Doug chooses to refute it as illogical, he has that right.