Talking Hitting

So much of the talk about hitting is dumb; it doesn't reflect what the best players do. I aim to change that.

[Talking Hitting @TalkingHitting]

If you're concerned about who I am and where I played,
you've already lost.

To not be led astray, you need to compare every THING that any ONE tells you to video of what the best hitters do on their best swings.

Actually.

But, yes, I have worked with successful MLB hitters.

[Talking Hitting @TalkingHitting]

Clemente! Coil! Need words!

SO BEAUTIFUL!!!

[Talking Hitting @TalkingHitting]

I'm thinking about this clip of @TheCUTCH22 Andrew McCutchen which I think is from 2017.

There's some PULL in his top hand, and I'm trying to figure out if that is one reason why his numbers have fallen off some.

PULL can reduce the distance and time to adjust.

[Talking Hitting @TalkingHitting]

Here's the problem with the drill Coach Lisle is demonstrating in that clip.

[Talking Hitting @TalkingHitting]

Here's a GIF of the Matt Lisle drill.

What is this supposed to accomplish?

The angle of the barrel relative to the forearm?

The push at the end?

[Talking Hitting @TalkingHitting]

Best case, this is a complete waste of time.

Best case.

[Talking Hitting @TalkingHitting]

I'll admit I once had a hitting coach do this drill with me, and I didn't know to question everything about it, but I've since learned that there's nothing of merit to it, regardless of what it's used for.

It's not what a hitter looks like a contact.

And pushing is a BAD idea.

[Talking Hitting @TalkingHitting]

Barry Bonds with an even smaller Linear move and then into Rotation as he goes into Foot Plant.

That keeps him from getting all of his weight off his back foot, but it doesn't keep his hips from being able to turn.

[Talking Hitting @TalkingHitting]

Most problems,
that are diagnosed as problems of ROTATION,
are actually problems with the TIMING
of that Rotation.

And that's where concepts like ADJUSTABILITY become relevant.

[Talking Hitting @TalkingHitting]

How does a top spin?

On a stable axis.

Which is what Ted Williams does.

So Ted Williams employs a Linear movement and then goes into Rotation.

And he gets up onto the point of his back toe due in part to that Linear movement but mostly due to the Rotation of his hips.

[Talking Hitting @TalkingHitting]

I'm not sure what the problem with the idea of Spinning Like a Top.

Or Rotation.

When it's when the best hitters do.

Any ideas?

[Talking Hitting @TalkingHitting]

If you want to help hitters, and your theory of hitting -- for example, that a good swing does NOT involve spinning like a top at some point in the swing -- doesn't match what video of the best hitters actually do, you need to update your theory.

Not just block me.

[Talking Hitting @TalkingHitting]

Pujols front foot moves forward in this clip.

[Talking Hitting @TalkingHitting]

Since you're rotating around your center of mass, no weight needs to shift once you reach Foot Plant and go into Rotation.

[Talking Hitting @TalkingHitting]

I don't care about IMO.

Show me a clip of what you're talking about.

[Talking Hitting @TalkingHitting]

Pujols' front foot was open when he broke into the league but then closed it starting in 2010 or so.

[ES @BRKES9]

@82nd13 @norcalbbgm @TalkingHitting This will vary from hitter to hitter. Pujols had a closed front leg, Judge has a closed front leg facing to the 1b dugout but on different swings, is pointing to the pitcher.

[Talking Hitting @TalkingHitting]

EVERY good hitter rotates like a top.

EVERY one.

[ES @BRKES9]

@norcalbbgm @82nd13 @TalkingHitting Define rotating forward? Because to me that sounds like Jeter. Rotating like a top sounds like Stanton.

[Talking Hitting @TalkingHitting]

Pujols always used a stride.

But a small one.

[Talking Hitting @TalkingHitting]

"When you rotate you are still rotating forward and not spinning like a top"

So not rotating...

[Talking Hitting @TalkingHitting]

"but all the force and drive is from the back leg rotating into contact."

IMO what the back leg does is Effect and not Cause.

[ES @BRKES9]

@82nd13 @norcalbbgm @TalkingHitting The point he is making is that one little weight shift adds to separation, but all the force and drive is from the back leg rotating into contact. That's why you do not see lunging or why hitters end up having their body facing to the sky at 45 degrees instead of at the pitcher.