- Jun 21, 2021
- 28
- 3
I haven't so that's good to know.I really gotta wonder if people who think getting ready on deck and actually standing in the box are the same have done either.
Yes, it helps some. But there's really no comparison. The brain registers the speed different from the side vs coming at you (hence one of the reasons why Major Leaguers get as close to directly behind the catcher as umpires will allow). You can't get the same sense of break on pitches. You miss out on late movement, a pitch getting on you quicker than expected (taller pitcher releasing two feet closer).
Players should absolutely prepare while on deck, and I'm not saying you should always take the first pitch, but it's silly to act as if you should have it all figured out just from being on deck.