The Baseball Observer Magazine

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There is a lot of knowledge presented here.  We don't want to cause "Paralysis by Analysis" so don't try to memorize everything - become familiar. It is explained simply (with examples) to provide a basic understanding of "why" it's being taught and "why" it's correct.

The knowledge presented is scientifically supported and referenced. We utilize the body’s natural movements. To have an efficient and powerful swing or throw you MUST utilize scientific facts about the body and how it moves. We are all physically bound by these movements and interactions (physics, biomechanics, etc.).  Also, not every player is the same and must be trained as an individual.

We are not rehashing the 1000's of the same old hitting theories, philosophies or conjectures that are neither science based nor science supported.

"To instruct is just to tell - to actually learn (gain knowledge) is to know why. We want you to know why."

BEWARE OF WHERE YOU GET YOUR INFORMATION

"Scientists and coaches have researched the swing and developed theories on the keys for successful batting, but most of this research has been inadequate in attempting to fully describe the biomechanics of batting."  (From Fortenbaugh, David, "The Biomechanics of the Baseball Swing" (2011). Open Access Dissertations. Paper 540.

     Hitting Mis-Information Examples

PITCH RECOGNITION

“Some recommendations to batting coaches would be to get batters to take a consistent approach in the early phases of  every swing (particularly for the lower body - the stride) and identify both pitch type and location as early as possible.”  (From Fortenbaugh, David, "The Biomechanics of the Baseball Swing" (2011). Open Access Dissertations. Paper 540.

     Reflex vs. Reaction   Coming

     You Can't Be Afraid To Get Hit By A Pitch  The ones who know how to handle it play the game for a long time.  Coming

     Pitch Counts and Expectations 101 (Document)  New

     Basic Pitch Count Sequencing (Expectations),Situations and Mind Set 101   New

     Why Seeing The Ball Hit The Bat Isn't Important - Seeing It Early Is - The Science Behind It and What You Can Do

     Basic Pitch Recognition (Please watch this brief introduction first before viewing the "advanced" videos. Special "tip")

     Stephen Strasburg Pitch Recognition With Visual Aids   

     Homer Bailey Pitch Recognition WITHOUT Visual Aids   Coming

     Garrit Cole Pitch Recognition WITHOUT Visual Aids   

The Stride - Weight Shift (Parts 1 & 2)

"The angular momentum of the performer’s body increased sharply toward the instant of impact (front foot). This result indicates that the front leg acts as the primary source of body rotation for bat swing." (From “A Mechanical Cause of Body Rotation About the Vertical Axis in Baseball Batting”  T. Yanai, Chukyo University, Toyota, Japan)

"The coordinated energy generation begins with the batter’s feet pushing against the ground." (DeRenne, 1993), Creating Ground Reaction Forces (GRFs).

"The lead foot GRF crescendoed to its peak value at the end of the phase to provide the initial energy that would be transmitted through the kinetic chain" (DeRenne, 1993;Robson, 2003).

Most might argue this but the most important part of the batter swing is the stride/ weight shift.  The stride sets the timing for the batter and can greatly influence the power of the swing.  It is the beginning of the kinetic chain and is the foundation that all other movements build upon.  If a player's stride/ weight shift is inefficient or incorrect it robs him from hitting the ball with his full potential power by negatively influencing the rest of his mechanics.

     The Stride Part One - For Timing

     The Stride Part 2 - For Power? - Ground Reaction Force (GRF) And Why Does It Matter?   Coming soon

The Arms and Elbows

“Due to the conservation of angular momentum, the change in bat azimuth (direction/ location) while the hands were kept in close to the body allowed the bat to rotate very quickly.”  (From Fortenbaugh, David, "The Biomechanics of the Baseball Swing" (2011). Open Access Dissertations. Paper 540.

As you can see, quick to the ball is not because your hands are the "shortest distance to the ball" as most coaches teach and explain.

    The Front Arm - The Angle Is The Key  New

 More Hitting Categories To Come

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This is a brief video of hitting mis-information out on the internet and from some reputable sources. Make sure you have your audio up. The audio doesn't start until around 2 minutes so be patient.

WARNING:

Just because someone has played baseball (pro or college), coached baseball for a long time, has other "impressive credentials" or YouTube video's doesn't mean they know how to actually hit or even teach hitting...

Information vs. Knowledge 

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PITCH RECOGNITION

“Some recommendations to batting coaches would be to get batters to take a consistent approach in the early phases of every swing - (particularly for the lower body - the stride) and identify both pitch type and location as early as possible.”(From Fortenbaugh, David, "The Biomechanics of the Baseball Swing" (2011). Open Access Dissertations. Paper 540.

Coming soon.  

Coming soon. The one's who know how to handle it play the game for a long time. Game footage and breakdown of MLB players, college player and high school player getting hit-by-pitch using proper techniques to safely get hit.  It all stems from pitch recognition and responding correctly vs. having a reflex that can be dangerous.

Must read. Even if you don’t learn any other advanced pitch count hitter expectation knowledge – this document alone will make you more confident at the plate. The document is three pages of basic knowledge to make you a better hitter right now though understanding hitters pitch expectations and count expectations (and why). Plus several very important points you must know and understand to be a better hitter. A must learn for every player.

This document isn’t an in-depth analysis of types of pitchers, specific hitting attack plans, finding your “hot zone” or detailed situational hitting mind sets. That document will come later.

Click here for .pdf document - Pitch Counts and Expectations 101

This is an introduction to learning pitch count sequencing, situations and mind set using video of a pitcher facing four different batters.  Even though this is basic, it is a building block to learning.  Please keep in mind, even if you "master" this it isn't an absolute.  Learning pitch count sequencing, situations and mind set increases your odds of predicting the next pitch. You won't be 100% all the time - but you'll be correct more times than not and that equals more batted balls.

But you also must keep in mind that as the level of competition increases (especially college on up) pitchers will sometimes "pitch backwards". It's called pitching backwards because it is the opposite of what is expected in the given situation. But if you pay attention to the pitcher’s tendencies during the game there will be times you'll want to “look” for a backwards approach.

This is like card counting in Blackjack - it's not perfect but you are able to predict more times than not the value of the next card.  The ones who master it make a lot of money doing it.  Learn this and you'll be a feared batter.

This shows scientifically through biology and recent research that it is physically and biologically impossible to see a baseball hit the bat. This is the reason why it is so important to learn early pitch recognition. This is a portion of a Power Point presentation from the upcoming - The Baseball Hitting Book - 21st Century Hitting.

Please watch this brief introduction on pitch recognition first before viewing the "advanced" videos.

TIP: In practice, as a batter you can stand in the bullpen while your pitchers are throwing.  Stand at the plate in the bullpen as if you were going to hit. No bat in your hand but stand as though you have one. At first, have the pitcher tell you what he is throwing.  After about 8-10 pitches have him stop telling you. Now at that point, as he releases the ball call out the pitch you identify as quickly as possible.  You not only will be learning pitch recognition but helping your pitcher.  Why? Because once you start calling his pitches - he's going to have to get better at his delivery.

This is pitch recognition using Stephen Strasburg.  Want to show you that even with an elite pro pitcher you can identify most of his pitches.  This is a little above the basic video previously - but you will begin to see the concepts and understand how you can start putting them to work for you now.

Original unedited video can be seen on YouTube: by Ballhawk Shaun - Stephen Strasburg Umpire View Warm Up

Coming soon - This video for pitch recognition is without visual aids so you can begin to "test yourself". 

This video for pitch recognition is without visual aids so you can begin to "test yourself".

Original unedited video can be seen on YouTube: by Ballhawk Shaun - Gerrit Cole Pitching Umpire's View 

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THE STRIDE

"The angular momentum of the performer’s body increased sharply toward the instant of impact (front foot). This result indicates that the front leg acts as the primary source of body rotation for bat swing." (From “A Mechanical Cause of Body Rotation About the Vertical Axis in Baseball Batting”  T. Yanai, Chukyo University, Toyota, Japan)

"The coordinated energy generation begins with the batter’s feet pushing against the ground." (DeRenne, 1993), Creating Ground Reaction Forces (GRFs).

"The lead foot GRF crescendoed to its peak value at the end of the phase (heal plant) to provide the initial energy that would be transmitted through the kinetic chain" (DeRenne, 1993;Robson, 2003).

Most might argue this but the most important part of the batter swing is the stride/ weight shift.  The stride sets the timing for the batter and can greatly influence the power of the swing.  It is the beginning of the kinetic chain and is the foundation that all other movements build upon.  If a player's stride/ weight shift is inefficient or incorrect it robs him from hitting the ball with his full potential power by negatively influencing the rest of his mechanics.

This is Part One on the Stride - For Timing

Coming

Coming soon

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ARMS AND ELBOWS

“Due to the conservation of angular momentum, the change in bat azimuth (direction/ location) while the hands were kept in close to the body allowed the bat to rotate very quickly.”  (From Fortenbaugh, David, "The Biomechanics of the Baseball Swing" (2011). Open Access Dissertations. Paper 540.

As you can see, quick to the ball is not because your hands are the "shortest distance to the ball" as most coaches teach and explain

The front arm angle is the key. We show three players: Braun, Pujols and McCutchen.  We have another 27 players showing the same example but the video would be way too long.

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