Posted by: Jim C (jhconklinjr@comcast.net) on Wed Aug 11 19:03:54 2004

>
> Is it plausible that I've just gotten screwed up as far as knowing
> where to put the bat, because of the difference in the pitch arcs
> between cages & live (and my own admitted inability to adjust to
> things)?

I think yes. But perhaps more of WHEN. The greatest difference I have found between cage and live is with timing. When I go to a cage (which is rare anymore), I always hit from a position as if I've already taken the stride and am fully 'loaded' or torqued (Epstein's #1 position). The cage then becomes almost purely a mechanical practice from launch or initiation forward. I find that this plays less havoc with my live-pitch timing. I also move around in the box so the pitch location appears varied and I have to make adjustments versus just hacking away at the same pitch every time.

Keep sluggin'