See guys hit fly balls and deep shots in bp. But in games, they rarely hit fly balls, mostly line drives - however they obviously have power, but don't hit the moon shots you see in bp.
Or guys who work on hitting liners to all fields in bp, but in games roll over the top or hit fly balls.
I've often wondered if typical bp is a good practice. Coach throwing a slower pitch from 50 feet or so is not the same as a pitcher from the mound.
Is there a better way?
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Originally Posted by Stafford:
…I've often wondered if typical bp is a good practice. Coach throwing a slower pitch from 50 feet or so is not the same as a pitcher from the mound.
There may not be time or coaching for much other than “typical” BP. But any kind of practice involving hand to eye coordination is better for a hitter than nothing at all.
FWIW, if a player is used to seeing 80 during games on a 60/90 field, if the BP pitcher is releasing the pitch at 43’ he only needs to be throwing at about 65 for it to look like the same velocity to the batter.
Is there a better way?
There’s always a “better” way, but no way to measure them to prove it conclusively. 
they are called 5 o'clock hitters.
use a heavy bat in BP. Maybe 40 ounce, 35"or 36"
use BP to prepare, the game is later. remember the opposing coach is watching.
Bob
PS: in Japan during our USA/Japan Goodwill Series, a few years ago our hitters were hitting the ball in BP over the 310' fence, however during the game they never received the same pitch. The Japanese coaches eyes observed and later they told me "your hitters out of control". One hitter who father was Lasorda's bench coach played at LSU.
I think it's important to include tee work, front toss, regular BP and mixed speed/spin BP. With most, you can incorporate count situations. Without the mixed BP, you risk developing a swing that is ineffective in game situations. Similarly, tee and front toss must include various specific location work.
Was at a MiLB game the other day and saw some players in the cage. The "coach" was standing maybe 20 ft back behind screen. He was throwing a wicked underhand toss. Not 100% sure what the goal was but it looked like a good drill for timing - I guess you would call it hard toss.
This for hitter's to learn extension.
Bob
Was at a MiLB game the other day and saw some players in the cage. The "coach" was standing maybe 20 ft back behind screen. He was throwing a wicked underhand toss. Not 100% sure what the goal was but it looked like a good drill for timing - I guess you would call it hard toss.
I have thrown underhand toss to my son since he was 2. It is great for us both. We talk and spend time together while he works out his kinks. His school has mandatory bp five days a week ten months out of the year but the coach is not always there and he gets into some bad habits that show themselves during games. We us esoft toss time to work out the swing and footwork. I have had pitchers pitch to him and machines pitch and tee work but we always come back to soft toss. We hit and talk and I the time we spend is invaluable to us both.
