Back Spin

why would you swing down at a ball that is already traveling down?

if you know a player who is good enough to put "english" (backspin) on any given pitch... you have a gold mine...

what if you swing down and hit the ball solid? (back-half middle)... then you hit it right where the pitching coach wanted the pitcher to get you to hit it...

DRD, you may want to think of it in terms of swinging directly to & through the ball.

To answer your question, backspin does help the ball carry farther.

Deviled eggs, making contact with the ball even slightly below its centerline will produce backspin. Backspin is more a result of a swing type, rather than a deliberate effort on any given pitch.

Devilraydude, What you really wanta do is get your barrel on the same plane as the ball as soon as you can in the swing. While staying connected and with proper rotation. Swinging down is an age old "Cue" to keep someone from swinging with a colapsed backside and swing up. The longer you have your barrel on ball plane the better your chance for success.

quote:

Originally posted by Vance34:
Devilraydude, What you really wanta do is get your barrel on the same plane as the ball as soon as you can in the swing. While staying connected and with proper rotation.

That is a great way to phrase the concept.

to the contrary dog!

oh yes they do! You must not be watching ML hitters. They get the barrel to ball plane while the bat is still behind them. Its called bat lag and something that all great hitters have.

I'd be interested in what you think they do!

quote:

Originally posted by BlueDog:

quote:

The longer you have your barrel on ball plane the better your chance for success.

Anyone who believes this, doesn't understand what constitutes a high level swing......Just being honest.....

Bluedog - now going after Ted Williams? LOL

You need a high level introduction to the real game - no aluminum allowed Pokey.

LOL

Glad you see it itsinthegame. Congrats!

My understanding that the hitter will adjust his posture in establishing a swing plane to a pre-determined point of contact.

Read the post up top ITS. Congrats to the D man!

Vance34, are you back-peddling in the backspin thread. Shep Knows

Vance,

That is what is amazing about the game.

Even a newcomer like me can see a few things.

You know - I think I like this game. LOL

quote:

Originally posted by Vance34:
I'd be interested in what you think they do!

Based on his history, I don't think BD will lay out -from start to finish - the mechanics he teaches.

Bluedog sounds like N Y M A N. It might be N Y M A N. A pitched ball has a plane and curveballs have different planes.

Shep, where did I back pedal?

Not a problem Vance. You are da man. Do read my post up there in the other thread though. Peace brother, Shep

PS (The pro vs College thread)

I have a graph to show you. Just don't know how to post it here.

To get backspin on the ball you have to swing downward to the ball. If you swing upward (uppercut) then u get topspin which doesnt do much for you. Backspin cuts through the air better which goes farther.

Shortstop, and why you will not play very long! You keep swinging down and you'll be done soon. However if you get the barrel behind the hands and in that path then you may have a chance. You don't want a steep downward swing nor do you want an upper cut swing. You want a flat swing.

quote:

Originally posted by BlueDog:
If a pitch breaks horizontally and vertically, what does the plane look like?.....

Doggie,

I am going to do a "Doggie". Answer a question with a question. LOL

How many miniature baseball players can you fit on the head of a pin?

LOL

One more:

Why cant I ever open a box of Cheerios without messing up the plastic container inside?

LOL