what is meant by a hitter having fast hands and how can u tell?
Original Post
Replies sorted oldest to newest
If you hear someone use the phrase "fast hands", never listen to them again. 
Depends on the context.
So many times, ESPECIALLY with hitting, I hear someone SAY something, and initially disagree. Although sometimes it turns out what they are SAYING is not what they MEAN.
Clear as mud?
“Fast hands” can mean that a hitter had a short, compact, quick swing. They have no trouble getting around on faster pitching. Many times I will use this to tell a player to “trust his hands” as they are fast enough get to the ball. Sometimes that can help them wait on pitches and let them get deeper in the zone before pulling the trigger.
So many times, ESPECIALLY with hitting, I hear someone SAY something, and initially disagree. Although sometimes it turns out what they are SAYING is not what they MEAN.
Clear as mud?
“Fast hands” can mean that a hitter had a short, compact, quick swing. They have no trouble getting around on faster pitching. Many times I will use this to tell a player to “trust his hands” as they are fast enough get to the ball. Sometimes that can help them wait on pitches and let them get deeper in the zone before pulling the trigger.
It simply means they can get the bat around quickly. The faster a hitter can get it around, the more time he has to see the ball's path. A hitter with really fast hands can "hit the ball out of the catcher's mitt."
Side note: I heard an interview with Ted Wms once and he was asked how old he was when he thought he might be a good hitter. He recalled hearing people saying that he had fast hands when he was 10 or 12 years old. I may be off a year or two on that age.
Side note: I heard an interview with Ted Wms once and he was asked how old he was when he thought he might be a good hitter. He recalled hearing people saying that he had fast hands when he was 10 or 12 years old. I may be off a year or two on that age.
“Fast hands” can mean that a hitter had a short, compact, quick swing
This is 100% correct. The opposite would be a slow swing caused by something like an out and around swing. The batters hand path is not allowing him to get his hands through the hitting zone in the quickest manner or to have fast hands through the hitting zone.
This is 100% correct. The opposite would be a slow swing caused by something like an out and around swing. The batters hand path is not allowing him to get his hands through the hitting zone in the quickest manner or to have fast hands through the hitting zone.
Pickpocket?
quote:Originally posted by SultanofSwat:
If you hear someone use the phrase "fast hands", never listen to them again.
Sultan of Swat, but by comment you've never strapped them up in the ring? There are those athletes that are blessed with lightning quick hands, and feet! Their reflexes differ dramatically from those who are not so gifted.......
How can you tell Kevin asks? You will know it when you see it and you can hear how their sound differs off the bat!
.
I guess this quick hands thing is all relative. And speaking of relative...
As compared to my Uncle Tree Toes I have real fast hands! He's a real Sultan of Sloth!
.
I guess this quick hands thing is all relative. And speaking of relative...
As compared to my Uncle Tree Toes I have real fast hands! He's a real Sultan of Sloth!
.
My daughter's prom date had fast hands. Had to chase him off with my shotgun.
