Homer Happy?

HS?  Yeah, I think so. My son's team went up against a squad that has 10 for the season already.  Our guys don't have 10 over the last 3 years.

Not sure but I have noticed the same thing. Perhaps the pitching is not as dominant thus far this season. Only 2 homers in Chantilly games, a bomb by Battlefield at Chantilly and one by Chantilly at the smaller Osbourn Park HS field. Did hear that Flint Hill's Khalil Lee already has four so far this season.

I have seen quite a few more at my sons old D3 school. 

How many of these guys are using composites... Seems to me the eastons and LS just have extra jump. My wife notices it even. I want to reassure her it is the hitter not the stick.... But I'm starting to see the collation between those two bats and batted ball speeds.

College is understandable.. The ball is different than high school. Flies better and that's a fact.

In SoCal i follow the LATimes HS baseball twitter feed and am surprised by the number of HRs reported this season. Can't explain. Climate change?

brookfan posted:

College is understandable.. The ball is different than high school. Flies better and that's a fact.

 

Yep.  The threads on a HS baseball are different than those used in college.

Midlo Dad posted:

Is it just me, or are we seeing a big increase in HR's this year?

What accounts for this?  Did BBCOR bats suddenly get more life in them?

The HR production was up during the summer and fall as well, and those are with wood. Case in point: the HR derby (prelims, semis, finals) at the PG AA game. Having said that...

I don't think you can draw conclusions by looking solely at the HR production of the PG Top 500, e.g., I'd expect Khalil to hit bombs this HS season given his progression during the off season. And Khalil and the rest of his Canes teammates are crushing it during HS ball. They've all gotten bigger, faster, stronger, and are competent against high level pitching, so when facing HS pitching, it may be a bit of an advantage for them.

The question is the HR production from outside the top 5-10% of HS hitters, and anecdotally I haven't seen it. I think we'll need to wait another 3-4 weeks to see if things change.

We may just have to accept when you know better you do better... My son has been blessed to play with several commits and even college starters in the past. They work HARD. Which makes everyone around them do so too. Many of them have sought out professionals for guidance including me and have learned right and wrong and train very efficiently to prepare. 

We may be witnessing a level of talent like never before. I remember not that long ago when if one guy in our whole County was asked to play college we were lucky. Usually a d3 or small D1. Now we have 8 kids committed on the roster at one school, Nationally ranked guys, and scouts at many games. 

Testament of giving back by those who came before us and the amazing work ethic these kids have. You would have never gotten me to spend that much time on one sport as a kid. Also credit goes to us the parent for helping our kids find the right avenue and people to make them more successfull.

Honestly, from a talent perspective, I'd be more inclined to back the theory that pitching is down this year, as opposed to the theory that players are suddenly (just this year!) much, much better. 

I can't recall the last time I saw so many teams relying on arms in the 78-80 mph range, at least not in our area.

IMO, guys are swinging for the fences more. More are on plain.

The level swing, line drive hitter is becoming obsolete in today's game. Being labeled a singles hitter is a not a compliment. You have to hit for power.