So, watching the World Series, and series leading up to that, we get to see a LOT of super hi-res slo-mo of hitters.
What did you all see?
Some things I observed:
1. Load/FBC
Most hitters all do this phase of the swing very well and quite consistently
2. TTB
Some do, some really don't. They all have very direct swings without much "slop" but I can';t say they all accomplish this by turning the barrel rearward.
3. Arm Bar
I saw a fair amount of arm-bar swings. And some were giant HR's. (that surprised me)
4. Lead Arm Working up
I've always considered this an "absolute" in high-level hitting. But video evidence speaks otherwise.
5. Tilt
On some swings with VERY good results, you really could see body tilt and bat angle aligned with shoulders as we all consider an absolute. But there were MANY swings where adjust to pitch location was accomplished (or attempted to accomplish) via hands/arms. These "handsy" swings seemed like instances where the batter was "fooled" on the pitch, usually a low-outside breaking slider or a change up.
6. Extension
Aside from initial load/FBC, getting great extension through and after contact was very consistently there on most swings I observed, except for maybe extremely inside pitches.
Conclusions: A great start to the swing probably sets these guys up for good adjust-ability and contact when they react to the pitch speed/spin/location. BUT the majority of swings are NOT picture-perfect. Most hitters seem to try and keep the bat head in the hitting zone as long as possible with good extension, and most seem to make contact with the ball out in front - aligned with back heel of front foot or even more forward than that. Did not see very many successful hits where ball was allowed to "travel deep". Not many hits where ball was struck in the area aligned with body mid-line up to that back front heel.
Anyone else?
What did you all see?
Some things I observed:
1. Load/FBC
Most hitters all do this phase of the swing very well and quite consistently
2. TTB
Some do, some really don't. They all have very direct swings without much "slop" but I can';t say they all accomplish this by turning the barrel rearward.
3. Arm Bar
I saw a fair amount of arm-bar swings. And some were giant HR's. (that surprised me)
4. Lead Arm Working up
I've always considered this an "absolute" in high-level hitting. But video evidence speaks otherwise.
5. Tilt
On some swings with VERY good results, you really could see body tilt and bat angle aligned with shoulders as we all consider an absolute. But there were MANY swings where adjust to pitch location was accomplished (or attempted to accomplish) via hands/arms. These "handsy" swings seemed like instances where the batter was "fooled" on the pitch, usually a low-outside breaking slider or a change up.
6. Extension
Aside from initial load/FBC, getting great extension through and after contact was very consistently there on most swings I observed, except for maybe extremely inside pitches.
Conclusions: A great start to the swing probably sets these guys up for good adjust-ability and contact when they react to the pitch speed/spin/location. BUT the majority of swings are NOT picture-perfect. Most hitters seem to try and keep the bat head in the hitting zone as long as possible with good extension, and most seem to make contact with the ball out in front - aligned with back heel of front foot or even more forward than that. Did not see very many successful hits where ball was allowed to "travel deep". Not many hits where ball was struck in the area aligned with body mid-line up to that back front heel.
Anyone else?
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