Not talking about people who strictly hit opposite field vs pull hitters. I know the differences in swing there. \n\nI'm talking about hitters who typically hit to one field then suddenly switch to the other. \n \nTake Barry Bonds, for ex - he's a pull hitter. Yet this season, all 3 of his homeruns are opposite field.\n\nWhat's going on? Is he using all arms and no legs? Swinging late on the ball? \n\nAnd no Bonds comments, pls. just looking for an answer to the question. thanks!
204060
There are several reasons why someone would pull the ball or hit to the opposite field. If a hitter hits to the opposite field, it could be that his timing was off and he was late on the pitch or if the pitch was outside you would get more power by hitting to the opposite field. That is what they mean when they say go with the pitch. \nIf your early on the pitch you will pull it, or if the pitch is inside you will turn on it and take it to the pull field. If someone is injured in the hips or knee's and has a hard time turning their hips or knee's they wont be able to turn on a ball and pull it as well as just to take it to the opposite field and swing with more arms than body.
149827
Barry Bonds is better.  I don't know the statistics but I know that Barry Bonds (according to my dad) was a good young player in the '90's and he was skinny.  He was able to play well and just didn't get that much attention, that's all.  I would say he is a better player because he would've passed Babe Ruth's record even without steroids; it's just that now that everyone knows he took steroids to get attention, he looks bad.  He also to most people looks like all his home runs came from steroids, but 'tis false in my opinion.  He just wanted attention for being big and powerful QUICKLY, so took the short way and did steroids to have immediate attention.  He is still a better player, but just made the wrong choice.  He could've begun to get attention when he was getting closer to the home run record; he already was the sole member of the 400-400 club (400 home runs, 400 stolen bases), and eventually he would've gotten attention and been inducted into the Hall of Fame for his accomplishments; THEN everybody would see how great he was.  But now it's all negative attention.  I repeat, though, that Barry Bonds is a better player.
131529
jeter is a better fielder and anyone who knows anything about baseball will tell you that. dont you remeber him diving into the stands for a foul ball and busting open his head or that behind the back backhanded flip to posada to tag out giambi at home plate in the playoffs a couple of years back. you never see A Rod doing those things. Now A Rod is a way better power hitter and rbi guy but not a better fielder.
126407
Yes, the Giants do rule. I've always thought Bonds got too much sh*t from the media and from people in general (I've been away from the Bay Area for 8 years, namely in New York City and Detroit, and it seems people in the rest of the country HATE the guy).  Yes, the roids are very probable.  But man, when every damn player and manager in the MLB (and they know better than we do) is awed by the guy's abilities, even though a lot of them probably knew he was doin the roids, it's time to give the guy a little respect.  I think it's sad that he took the steroids.  But you're right, there's a MAJOR double standard for him and all the other pillpoppers.  Just because he's cocky and not always smiley and happy-go-lucky, and then he's black to top it off!  He was getting death threats for daring to go after a white guy's homerun record (both McGwire and Ruth) years ago, so you might say the cockiness is warranted.  Also, the roids were NOT outlawed by the MLB because they LOVED the attention baseball was finally gaining back, nor by the law in general.  I disagree wholeheartedly with their use, and would wag my finger at Bonds (AFTER shaking his hand, getting his autograph, and thanking him for helping the Giants so much) if I met him, but you JUST CAN'T DENY that he's still one of the F-ing greatest players of all time.  Better than McGwire, Sosa, Palmeiro, Sheffield, and Giambi by FAR.
210617
Hits&#92;at bats\n\nBe sure to take into account though that:\nWalks, Hit-by-pitch, and sacrifices are not ABs.\n\nAlso that it's only a hit if you reach safely and no one else gets out advancing to the next base.  (ex.  Bob is on first, Ken hits the ball.  Bob gets out at second and Ken is now if first)  This is called a fielder's choice.\n\nAlso reaching safely on an error is not a hit.\n\nBoth of the above count as at-bats without hits.\n\nNow if he is coaching little league.  Depending on the age you might not want to bother with errors and just credit the kid with a hit.
152810
You answered your own question.  Try it, and you'll be called for a balk.  However, it evens out because a lefty has a much easier throw to first than a righty.
324717
If you mean pulling your head off the ball... head moves with shoulder this is a huge problem 'cause it makes seeing the ball virtually impossible. How to correct:\n\nGet a tee and put the ball on it. Look out ot the pitcher mound or where it would be... Now follow the imaginary pitch all the way to the tee. Hit the ball but focus on not moving your head but looking at the tee where the ball was. It will take a lot of practice to break this but with time and a lot of swings... you will correct it.\n\nIf you uderstand how to properly hit a ball to the opposite field. (Wait for the ball to get deeper) During the next several practices have someone pitch you BP and hit everything you get pitched to the opposite field. The trick here is to not wait for the outside pitch but try to force everything to the opposite field. High, Low, Inside, Outside... Wait on it and take it to the opposite field! Make a game of it... I like this better than tee work (but do both) because you are actively involved in hitting a pitched ball. Hitting to the opposite field requires your eyes to stay on the ball longer and deeper. \n\nIn a game situation when you are worried about it... we all get that way! Consider taking the first pitch and follow it all the way to the catchers mitt. This will reinforce the muscle memory right before you launch one!!!\n\nIt will take a lot of practice to break this but with time and a lot of swings... you will correct it. Remember it took a while to form the bad habit... \n\nGOOD LUCK!
264509
Just think of it like baseball. Its the same thing, except you dont swing at the ball with the bat, but instead kick it with you leg. The positions in the outfield are self explanatory(right, center, and left field) and if you catch it out there, they are out. If it rolls to you, just throw it back into play. Have fun!
387327
be sure to always place yourself infron of the ball and glove to the ground when fielding.  also it depends on the player at bat as to where you would stand in the outfield etc.  If the person is lefty then you would be more towards 3rd base and visa versa etc.  I would also have a friend toss or hit pop flys towards you in the outfield for more practice.  Since practice and practice and more practice makes one a better player!
464161
Liriano felt his elbow pop the first time.  They ran about 95 tests and MRIs and found no structural damage.  He began throwing after a couple months and said he was fine.  He pitched 2 innings against Oakland and felt pain. The Twins shut him down then. Again, ran a bunch of tests and still there was no structural damage.  No one is exactly sure what the problem is, just that is elbow is in chronic pain.  I don't think shutting him down earlier would have helped, he still would have needed surgery.  His ulnar ligament is being replaced to stop the pain that won't go away.
450091
Rose didnt' cheat so he's out of the race. Rogers  who cares? Half the pitchers in base baseball are doctoring the ball. Every year a few get caught. Some like Perry made a career out of it. \n\nBonds, Sosa, McGwire, Canseco, Palmiero, Caminitti. Sheffied, McGriff, Giambi are just a few of those busted cold with steriods. \nWith McGwire I think it actually hurt his stats. McGwire and Canseco were both TOO strong. They lost huge parts of thier careers to injuries I think were steroid related. If you watch McGwire's swing nobody ever designed a more perfect HR swing. It was perfect. Most of McGwire's blasts were overkill. If he were not on Roids I think McGwire would have hit more HRs. It's meaningless now since he used them and it taints his stats. \n\nBonds would have been in the hall. I think Sosa will help keep Bonds and McGwire out. After seeing declines in power and general hitting and basically facing the end of his career suddenly Bonds beats his best HR total ever in a year most thought would be his last??? Then the next year hits 70+ HRs. His stats alone bust him and show exactly why Steroids are banned. \n\nOn a side not. People Bonds ADMITED using steroids. He said it was by accident but his steroid use is proven. Whether he did it intentionally or not the fact is he was roided out when he set that record. \n\nThen you have Sosa. Not only did he use steroids. He was twice caught with corked bats. Not once, but twice in MLB games. He was also caught using one in a pre-season game if I remember correctly. So I'd have to go with Sosa. He's a known Steroid user, busted with corked bats and suspected of HG usage. What DIDN"T he do to enhance his own personal stats? He sure didn't do it for the team. \n\nSo Sosa hands down is the biggest cheater the game has seen in years. Not since Ty Cobb was there a player that broke more rules. Unlike Ty Cobb Sosa was motivated purely for personal stats. Cobb wanted to win. He also enjoyed his personal stats but Cobb did most of his cheating to help his team.
237416
Man give the guy a break.\nYes he did take steroids, but steroids arent gonna help you with how you swing the bat!\n\nAnd no, I'm not a Bonds or Giants fan, I'm just tired of everyone jumping on the guy and saying how he doesent deserve the record and blah blah blah.\n\nRecords are meant to be broken.
268399
I am a sophomore in high school on my varsity team. The best way to hit is to combine the rotational hitting with linear hitting. You use your legs to get the power to gain the rotational part of the swing. Then gain the linear part by getting extension of the hands. This is what all of the good college players are doing. I learned it from Michelle Ventrella, an Olympic gold medalist. It is more important to have a good swing than bat speed. Once all the fundamentals are right you try to get more bat speed because the ball will go farther.
463689
I know what you're asking for, but I don't think I can give you a great answer.  The best way I can think of answering your question is that you are trying to make contact with the ball; you are trying to strike it with the bat.  You swing and miss or do not swing at a potential good pitch, which will equal to your first attempt of striking the ball.\n\nHa ha ha.....not sure if that's true, but after I read this, surprises me..sounds like it's the right answer.
675853
You're right....IW's are a copout...pitch to players like Bonds, Ortiz, and Ramirez....Let the pitcher prove his worth.  If they are that good, then face them and pitch.  That's what makes baseball so exciting and unpredictable (to a certain degree).
659992
no way man! BIG PAPI is the best hitter in baseball and he is clean! Bonds on the other hand...why is he still in the MLB???
617250
This travesty is one of the few that still remain in sports today.  The league has cracked down on the changing strike zone and I know this will be worked on next year.  You are right on, though, it is a joke and a pity that they won't start making the call as it should be made as they do in all other levels of the sport!  Great question!