Please tell us about the "V" and how it is better to hit it where the fielders are not playing.
Batting Fundamentals
by Ty Cobb (1938)
1. DON'T GRIP YOUR BAT AT THE VERY END; leave say an inch or two. ALSO, LEAVE AT LEAST AN INCH OR MORE SPACE BETWEEN YOUR HANDS; that gives you balance and control of bat, and also keeps hands from interfering with each other during swing.
Cobb was a contact type of hitter that relied on getting the ball in play and using his speed to leg out many hits. Using this spread type of grip and “choking’ up on the bat gave him better control to capitalize on his hitting approach. Homeruns were not his concern, hitting .400 was! He did this 3 times in his career and once had a stretch of 11 years in which he hit .368 or higher!
2. Take position at plate, especially against right hand pitchers, BACK OF PLATE, and against a man with a real curve, YOU CAN STAY ON BACK LINE OF BATTING BOX. Now try to hit to
right-center. I don't mean you should place the ball in any one spot, but start now practicing to hit your right-handers to the opposite field. An inside ball from a right-hand pitcher you will naturally pull, say, to
left-center.
This is the philosophy we adopt at BeABetterHitter. Essentially what Ty Cobb is saying is that you want to identify the third of the plate that the pitch is coming… pull the ball on the inner third…hit the ball to the big part of the field (up the middle and opposite field) on balls on the outer two thirds. Interesting that he liked the very back line of the batter’s box.
3. DON'T SLUG AT FULL SPEED; LEARN TO MEET THEM FIRMLY, and you will be surprised at the results.
Another BeABetterHitter philosophy: Basically he is saying that a full and uncontrolled swing is not the answer! Develop Bat Speed and then use about 75-85% of that speed during the swing.
4. Now, to hit as I ask,
to right-center or center. YOU STAND AWAY FROM PLATE the distance you can see with mind's eye that you can hit the ball that curves on inside corner, to center. This distance away from the plate will allow you to hit the
outside ball to right. In other words, you protect the plate both on inside pitches and outside. (Same applies to left hand hitters)
Here, he is simply explaining that you must recognize and understand the concept of “plate coverage” with your bat length and stance position in the box. Another hint to hit to the big part of the field!
I can continue but I think you get the picture
By the way, the "V" you keep alluding to was from a post that I wrote way back when while attending an Aeros batting practice session and subsequent ball game. It was just an observation I made during that time. But thanks for the reminders. By the way, it really doesn't matter where the defenders are positioned.
If you've ever been to a batting practice session in Cleveland, you'll know that Manny Ramirez would never hit homers rather he would practice hitting to all fields starting with the opposite field first. It just something good hitters practice and try to repeat in their ballgames.
Is there anything else you would like to know about the "V" ??
