I know there are benefits to choking up. I am trying to get my HS to understand this.
Can anyone help with the pros and cons of choking up.
Also, can anyone give me any links to articles on choking up.
Original Post
Replies sorted oldest to newest
I am not a fan. Choking up changes the weight and length of the bat, which that batter has become comfortable with through repetition. There's a difference between shortening a swing and shortening a bat. I don't see any benefit whatsoever in altering what a batter is used to.
If a batter chokes up on every pitch, then that's fine. As long as its consistent. But a "two-strike approach" does not consist of changing the length and weight of the bat. That can't be beneficial.
If a batter chokes up on every pitch, then that's fine. As long as its consistent. But a "two-strike approach" does not consist of changing the length and weight of the bat. That can't be beneficial.
If you choke up 2 inches, now the bat is 2 inches shorter.
If my pitcher son (just using him as an example) sees a kid choking up, the next pitch is low and outside for an easy out.
If my pitcher son (just using him as an example) sees a kid choking up, the next pitch is low and outside for an easy out.
quote:Originally posted by J H:
I am not a fan. Choking up changes the weight and length of the bat, which that batter has become comfortable with through repetition. There's a difference between shortening a swing and shortening a bat. I don't see any benefit whatsoever in altering what a batter is used to.
If a batter chokes up on every pitch, then that's fine. As long as its consistent. But a "two-strike approach" does not consist of changing the length and weight of the bat. That can't be beneficial.
It doesn’t change the “weight” of the bat. It changes the “feel” of the bat. By moving the hands close to the balance point, it effectively makes the bat lighter and easier to control. Combined with a shorter swing, the thought is putting the ball in play anywhere weakly is far preferable to a strike out.
I'm not a huge fan either. Shorten the swing and put the ball in play I totally agree with. Saw one of my son's teammates choke up yesterday 2 inches on a 32 inch bat. SultanofSwats son must have been pitching because both pitches were low and away and resulted in K's.
quote:Originally posted by KC Dawg:
I'm not a huge fan either. Shorten the swing and put the ball in play I totally agree with. Saw one of my son's teammates choke up yesterday 2 inches on a 32 inch bat. SultanofSwats son must have been pitching because both pitches were low and away and resulted in K's.
Are you implying that the only reason the batter struck out was because his bat was 2 inches too short.
quote:Originally posted by 2bag:
I know there are benefits to choking up. I am trying to get my HS to understand this.
Can anyone help with the pros and cons of choking up.
Also, can anyone give me any links to articles on choking up.
Well, let me try to help out.
Pros: More control, slightly smaller diameter of stroke.
Cons: Less power, less plate coverage.
IMO, good arguments for both sides.
quote:Originally posted by Low Finish:quote:Originally posted by 2bag:
I know there are benefits to choking up. I am trying to get my HS to understand this.
Can anyone help with the pros and cons of choking up.
Also, can anyone give me any links to articles on choking up.
Well, let me try to help out.
Pros: More control, slightly smaller diameter of stroke.
Cons: Less power, less plate coverage.
IMO, good arguments for both sides.
+1
Question: if you normally use a 32" bat and decide to "choke up"
then use a 33" bat and you will have larger hitting space on the barrel.
Bonds of course "choke up" the bat. I have the Bonds model at my home and the handle and knob have a cone which aids in "choking the bat".
The reason to choke the bat is to increase "bat speed" and not hit "weak" grounders. If you want to play "pepper" do this before the game.
As a coach, I prefer a strike out with a hard swing than a weak grounder which can produce a double play.
Bob
then use a 33" bat and you will have larger hitting space on the barrel.
Bonds of course "choke up" the bat. I have the Bonds model at my home and the handle and knob have a cone which aids in "choking the bat".
The reason to choke the bat is to increase "bat speed" and not hit "weak" grounders. If you want to play "pepper" do this before the game.
As a coach, I prefer a strike out with a hard swing than a weak grounder which can produce a double play.
Bob
Bonds choked up on every single pitch. There is absolutely no problem with that. It is when you start changing the feel of the bat that you have a problem. Consistency in grip should be prevalent each and every pitch.
If a player can't "catch up" to a fastball then there aren't a lot of "good" options besides choking up and shortening the bat.
The idea that it effects you hitting the low outside pitch is perposturus...more than likely it's a bad hitter that couldn't hit with any bat.
I do agree that hitters should practice their 2 k approach in batting practice and drills as it is a situation they will face in over 30% of their at-bats.
The idea that it effects you hitting the low outside pitch is perposturus...more than likely it's a bad hitter that couldn't hit with any bat.
I do agree that hitters should practice their 2 k approach in batting practice and drills as it is a situation they will face in over 30% of their at-bats.
quote:Originally posted by bsballfan:
If a player can't "catch up" to a fastball then there aren't a lot of "good" options besides choking up and shortening the bat.
The idea that it effects you hitting the low outside pitch is perposturus...more than likely it's a bad hitter that couldn't hit with any bat.
I do agree that hitters should practice their 2 k approach in batting practice and drills as it is a situation they will face in over 30% of their at-bats.
Short term, there aren't many options to help a player catch up with a fastball. Long term, if you can't catch up with a fastball, you need to change your mechanics.
It does hinder hitting the low outside pitch. Williams choked up an inch on his bat. His worst hitting zone? The low, outside pitch.
As a hitter who doesn't choke up, I'd say that choking up does affect your ability to hit the low and away pitch. Be it physically or psychologically, choking up affects your approach. Obviously, if your approach with two strikes is choke up and put it in play, you may accomplish hitting the low and away pitch by moving closer to the plate than you were early in the count. Something to ponder.
Since 70% of the pitchers are right handed and the two hitters were left handed, the hitters *Williams and Bonds] had the advantage.
Williams stood "off" the plate to get a longer look at the ball, Bonds crowded the plate, because the "scouting" book on Bonds was "up and in", however both had 20/15 vision and if the pitcher missed by 1", it was the game.
"Low and away" for right handed hitters from RHP is the method taught by pitching coaches, however "crowding" the plate does not help.
If a pitcher can place it on the outside corner "shake" his hand and ask him to do it again. Do not give up on the inside, that is RBI's.
Only don't miss when you receive a .400 BA pitch. Be ready!
The "batters box" is your classroom.
Judge the pitch and change your position relative to the speed, sink, break.
All pitchers throw in patterns and good hitters know they cannot hit all pitch's, so they wait and narrow down to one or two pitches in a specific location.
This is a "logical" guess hitters. My teacher was Edgar Martinez, Mariners
in a one hour "one on one"discussion.
Bob
Williams stood "off" the plate to get a longer look at the ball, Bonds crowded the plate, because the "scouting" book on Bonds was "up and in", however both had 20/15 vision and if the pitcher missed by 1", it was the game.
"Low and away" for right handed hitters from RHP is the method taught by pitching coaches, however "crowding" the plate does not help.
If a pitcher can place it on the outside corner "shake" his hand and ask him to do it again. Do not give up on the inside, that is RBI's.
Only don't miss when you receive a .400 BA pitch. Be ready!
The "batters box" is your classroom.
Judge the pitch and change your position relative to the speed, sink, break.
All pitchers throw in patterns and good hitters know they cannot hit all pitch's, so they wait and narrow down to one or two pitches in a specific location.
This is a "logical" guess hitters. My teacher was Edgar Martinez, Mariners
in a one hour "one on one"discussion.
Bob
quote:Originally posted by Low Finish:quote:Originally posted by bsballfan:
If a player can't "catch up" to a fastball then there aren't a lot of "good" options besides choking up and shortening the bat.
The idea that it effects you hitting the low outside pitch is perposturus...more than likely it's a bad hitter that couldn't hit with any bat.
I do agree that hitters should practice their 2 k approach in batting practice and drills as it is a situation they will face in over 30% of their at-bats.
Short term, there aren't many options to help a player catch up with a fastball. Long term, if you can't catch up with a fastball, you need to change your mechanics.
It does hinder hitting the low outside pitch. Williams choked up an inch on his bat. His worst hitting zone? The low, outside pitch.
And you are sure that choking up is why he struggled with that pitch?
Tony Gwynn choked up and that was his best "hitting zone"
quote:Originally posted by Bob Williams:
Since 70% of the pitchers are right handed and the two hitters were left handed, the hitters *Williams and Bonds] had the advantage.
Williams stood "off" the plate to get a longer look at the ball, Bonds crowded the plate, because the "scouting" book on Bonds was "up and in", however both had 20/15 vision and if the pitcher missed by 1", it was the game.
"Low and away" for right handed hitters from RHP is the method taught by pitching coaches, however "crowding" the plate does not help.
If a pitcher can place it on the outside corner "shake" his hand and ask him to do it again. Do not give up on the inside, that is RBI's.
Only don't miss when you receive a .400 BA pitch. Be ready!
The "batters box" is your classroom.
Judge the pitch and change your position relative to the speed, sink, break.
All pitchers throw in patterns and good hitters know they cannot hit all pitch's, so they wait and narrow down to one or two pitches in a specific location.
This is a "logical" guess hitters. My teacher was Edgar Martinez, Mariners
in a one hour "one on one"discussion.
Bob
Good stuff, sounds a lot like what Ted Williams advocated for when he said "Guess? YES!"
Aaron and Clemente often swung at a "low and away"pitch so they would get it again. They were ready and hit it to right center.
Larry Young, Delmon's father called me from the Fall Arizona league after Delmon signed his bonus contract.
Larry told a story of the game that day,Delmon, age 18 swung at a bad pitch and the pitcher threw the same pitch. Next pitch, Delmon hit it off the right center field fence.
During our annual Goodwill Series in Australia, I listened to Delmon, then age 15 tell the two hitters batting ahead of him what to expect from the Australian pitcher.
This is "logical" guessing.
"Can we teach" this or is a hitter born with this ability. I do not know. Ted Williams called it "proper thinking".
Bob
Larry Young, Delmon's father called me from the Fall Arizona league after Delmon signed his bonus contract.
Larry told a story of the game that day,Delmon, age 18 swung at a bad pitch and the pitcher threw the same pitch. Next pitch, Delmon hit it off the right center field fence.
During our annual Goodwill Series in Australia, I listened to Delmon, then age 15 tell the two hitters batting ahead of him what to expect from the Australian pitcher.
This is "logical" guessing.
"Can we teach" this or is a hitter born with this ability. I do not know. Ted Williams called it "proper thinking".
Bob
quote:Originally posted by Bob Williams:
…"Can we teach" this or is a hitter born with this ability. I do not know. Ted Williams called it "proper thinking".
Do you really believe it’s a genetic trait that some people have and others don’t, and those that don’t have no hope of ever acquiring the ability?
As a hitter, I would walk into a ball park and check the wind, the distances to the fences, the height of the mound, the holes in the batter's box, the location of the sun.
Before the game I watched the opposing pitcher in the bullpen. What is his arm angle for the curve, fast ball. Is he locating the 3 pitches for strikes, if not, I reduced the pitcher to one pitch which he has confidence for the initial innings.
When he pitched to our first hitters what is his pattern? Did our hitters hit ground balls, then the pitcher has a "sinker". Sinkers and sliders are his pitches. If the pitcher has a "rising" fastball, then his breaking ball is a "hard" curve.
Yes, a hitter can learn by study and concentration on his role. "What is the hitter's role?
"To see the ball". If he sees the ball, he can hit it!
George Brett called it "fine focus".
Bob
Before the game I watched the opposing pitcher in the bullpen. What is his arm angle for the curve, fast ball. Is he locating the 3 pitches for strikes, if not, I reduced the pitcher to one pitch which he has confidence for the initial innings.
When he pitched to our first hitters what is his pattern? Did our hitters hit ground balls, then the pitcher has a "sinker". Sinkers and sliders are his pitches. If the pitcher has a "rising" fastball, then his breaking ball is a "hard" curve.
Yes, a hitter can learn by study and concentration on his role. "What is the hitter's role?
"To see the ball". If he sees the ball, he can hit it!
George Brett called it "fine focus".
Bob
