I want to start this by saying, I am not so idiotic as to think I actually would be able to hit a major league pitcher.
But when presented with the “do you think you’d be able to even make contact on 1 out of 100 pitches by a pitcher”, I’d like to understand why.
Like if they did nothing but pitch breaking stuff, couldn’t I just overcorrect? Same deal with fastballs? I’m sure they would mix it up, but out of 100 straight pitches, if you were a major-league pitcher, what would you do to make sure that they never made contact?
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If you ever watch a baseball game, pay attention to the batter. He starts kicking his leg before the pitcher even pitches the ball. Its coming in hot. How most pros circumvent this (making contact) is by realizing the status of the game; the variables.
For example, you’re taught really young that you always take a 3-0 count pitch, but as a pro, you know damn well that next pitch is most likely going to be right down the middle of that plate. In contrast, an 0-2 count usually means the next pitch is most likely going to be something to get the batter to “chase”, or an “eff it” pitch, so most batters will opt to not swing unless its “their pitch”. But youre also taught as a batter to protect the plate; dont go out looking. Different variables mean different things and some require certain inputs for the desired outputs.
I say all that to say that a lot of batters are guessing, because that’s all they have time to do. You wont be able to overcorrect; ball is coming in too fast. You rely on the situation and make your best guess: a full count of 3-2 with bases loaded and 2 outs means that pitcher is pitching to strike you out. As a batter, you’re looking for the man to throw his specialty or a heater, pick one and pick where.
I am going to attach this video here [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k5Xl4VvgU_w] . This is a game from the 1996 World Series between the Yankees and the Braves. This is widely considered the turning point of the series. IIRC, Jim Leyritz said that at a 2-2 count, 8th inning, down by 3, he was looking for a slider. He got the slider.
Baseball is a game of knowledge. People say it’s boring, and i can understand their sentiment, but if you KNOW the game, it’s much more fun to watch. It’s heavily based on probability and knowledge that every single person on the diamond NEEDS to be successful.
To answer your last question, what you’ll need is power, precision, and a little unknown advantage of HEIGHT. The closer you can step towards that plate the stronger your arm will appear. Aroldis Chapman has the fastest fastball ever recorded (105 mph), and even he gets smacked on.
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