Posted by: Dave A (metrosbsbll27@hotmail.com) on Thu Sep 29 08:59:05 2005

> > > > > > i am 16 and a highschool baseball player. How can i improve off speed pitches?
> > > >
> > > > Being an ex-major league player. I think the way I improved on hitting breaking balls is having either my BP coach throw them to me in batting practice or having your coach throw you some up close (about 10 feet or so away). The key to hitting breaking balls is looking for the red dot. Remember, hitters hit the hanging breaking balls, not the nasty ones. Those we take or try to foul off. Trust your hands and practice always hitting thru the middle of the field. And always be ready for the fastball. Sometimes if you aren't hitting breaking balls it's because you aren't ready for the fastball.
> > > >
> > > > Good luck
> > > >
> > > > Jalal Leach
> > > > San Francisco Giants 2001
> > > > www.bmp18.com
> > >
> > > A great answer. Take more bp and you'll get better.............how about some specifics Mr. MLB.
> >
> > How do you want me to be more specific? When I first went to Triple A with the Yankees, I think I struck out 125 times mostly on breaking balls. But as the years went on and I saw more off-speed pitches, I started to recognize them more and more and I became a really good breaking ball hitter. There is no secret to hitting just, HITTING, HITTING, AND MORE HITTING! If you are ever in Sacramento come see me and I'll show you what I mean.
> >
> > Have Fun!!
> >
> > Jalal Leach
> > www.bmp18.com
>
> Thanks for the proof.

Teacherman, hes right. At the beginning of the last summer I was facing pitchers throwing upwards of 86-88 with very good sliders and it was terribly hard to recognize them or even hit them. At the end of the summer I faced pitchers still throwing sliders with fastballs around 90 and I was able to pick it up much easier than before and recognize it. It just takes time and trying to commit to memory what each pitch looks like.

Teacherman, why don't you provide a theory or "proof" as to what will help since you have the nerve to criticize someone with professional experience who is correct.