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<\/a><\/p>\nOf the three most illustrious young players in the Major Leagues who are predicted to be Baseball\u2019s next \u201cSuper-Stars\u201d (Bryce Harper, Mike Trout, and Yasiel Puig), only Mike Trout\u2019s batting consistency has proven itself\u00a0 worthy of that superlative ranking, so far. Although all 3 embody the physical attributes that warrant the prophetic gesture of Stardom, it is hard to tell \u201cat the moment\u201d who will eventually hold the highest ranking. Trout seems to hold the edge in batting, with a more consistent application of proper mechanics. Both Puig and Harper have better throwing arms than Trout. And Puig and Trout are faster runners than Harper. They all have the statuesque bodies that indicate an innate desire to strive to be the best they can be. But the question to be considered more than any other is, who will best display the mental attitude to foster a determination to reach beyond the merely physical dimension of artistic talent and incorporate the metaphysically scientific dimension that establishes the complete ball-player\u2019s batting prowess?<\/p>\n
Most astute baseball observers recognize that \u201cbatting a baseball\u201d proficiently can be esteemed as an artistic display of uncommon physical prowess. Those who demonstrate a high degree of talent in any of the various art forms could easily be described as \u201cartists\u201d. There is adequate evidence to indicate that many or most good artists (of which Baseball\u2019s Bats-men are included) have a \u201cnatural\u201d propensity toward the artisanship in which they are engaged. But their optimal level of proficiency is most often derived from the degree to which they accumulate enhanced understanding by means of scientific examination of all aspects of their chosen profession. Therefore, hitting a baseball most effectively would have to elicit from the batter\u2019s technique a scientific component to complement his otherwise unfulfilled artistic yet phenomenal talent.<\/p>\n
Yasiel Puig falls into that spectacular category of player designated as a \u201cPhenom\u201d. Within that Phenomena Dimension<\/span> is the manifestation of what appears to be a natural propensity of a physical entity to perform to his\/her highest degree of physical competency without the use of supplemental mental facilitation, and indicative of a most primitive, single dimensional, fastball-hitting mentality. \u201cPower versus Power,\u201d exhibits in a batter a need to gain a forward momentum in order to counteract the otherwise debilitating effect of a pitcher\u2019s blazing fastball.\u00a0 Adapting to \u201coff-speed\u201d pitches entails a dimension of thought that includes a scientific component. A batter, incapable of adapting to any such circumstance, becomes easy prey to the pitcher who can throw a curveball for a strike. Thus, the sudden or gradual decline in promise of the physical \u201cphenom\u201d!<\/p>\n The scientific approach that Ted Williams brought to \u201cHitting\u201d certainly superseded the \u201cno-brainer\u201d application that the \u201cnatural-artisans\u201d expressed through their mere adherence to sense testimony. Such scientific revelation should have continued to override the equally reprehensible technique endorsed by those pseudo-scientific proponents of the \u201cdownward swing\u201d, which followed. Any batter whose notion of proper hitting technique includes the idea that a downward swinging bat can effectively strike a downward moving ball with the least margin of error does not understand the statistical improbability of such folly.<\/p>\n By knowing that a pitched ball is always traveling downward into the strike-zone, the intelligent batter will devise a technique that will ensure that the bat will strike the ball on a line as close to 180 degrees as is possible. To be 100% accurate with his guidance of the bat-to-ball is most improbable. But if the swinging bat is on the same parallel line as the in-coming ball, then the probability of solid contact will be strong, and the result most often will be a desirable ascending \u201cline-drive.\u201d<\/p>\n The \u201cUltimate Batting Principle\u201d is based on the perfect application and integration of following components:<\/p>\n 1. Balance and stability of the stance.<\/p>\n 2. Security for undisturbed visual acuity.<\/p>\n 3. Self-contained power source.<\/p>\n 4. Balance and stability from start to finish of swing.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n A low center of gravity can be established by spreading the feet to the length of one\u2019s normal stride, and bending the knees as low as can accommodate comfort and quickness. This strong base affords the batter the fastest possible reaction time for a twisting body to respond to any variation of pitched balls. One of the most prominent features of a low stance is the obvious advantage the batter has with the establishment of a smaller strike zone.<\/p>\n With the low-wide stance, the batter is in an \u201cultra-stationary\u201d position, from which to view the pitched ball with a minimum of distortion. As a tennis player, receiving serve, is bent over and down as low as he can, to see the speeding ball on as close to a parallel level to the eyes as possible, so the batter, in a low stance, views the pitched ball with most clarity.<\/p>\n With the body already in a stable and powerful position, from which to initiate the action of the swing, the only preliminary movement needed by the batter, as the pitcher is delivering the ball, is to brace himself (or \u201cgather\u201d). From there he awaits the arrival of the ball into the striking \u201czone.\u201d The gathering simply implies that the body is twisting or coiling slightly in the direction toward the catcher, bringing the hands to a position just beyond the back shoulder, making ready to spring forward as the ball comes to the plate. The \u201ccoiling\u201d is initiated by the front knee turning inwardly off a pivoting big toe whose foot is point at a 45 degree angle to the pitcher. While the back foot is anchored flat, the weight of the body is centered from the upper abdomen to the ground directly between both knees. The hips and shoulders follow the backward rotation of the twisting torso (the body never leaning backward with any concentration of weight on the back leg-the \u201cbuttocks\u201d looks to be sitting on a high stool). The entire action of the backward twisting and subsequent forward explosion (without\u00a0 a stride) in the opposite direction, as the swing takes place (after the front foot plants firmly into the ground), occurs while the head remains stationary and the eyes still, focusing on the ball.<\/p>\n The first metaphysical component to the perfect swing of a baseball bat is the ability to inhibit one\u2019s personal proclivity to attack the oncoming pitched ball with direct linear force. The psychological tendency to meet an attacker head-on, with equal force, in order to counteract an over-powering momentum, most often imposes an obliteration effect that can prove unproductive in either direction.<\/p>\n The batter, when encountering the power of a 90 to 100 mph fastball, does not want to be intimidated by what could be an overwhelming force of speed. So he seems magnetically drawn in the direction from which the ball is coming, to offset somewhat the intent of the oncoming projectile. Figuratively, attacking the ball is attacking the opponent (pitcher) who threw it. The linear movement in the direction from which the ball is coming can give only an illusory sense of contrived confidence and facilitation to deploy a resourceful counterattack. Since the first incidence of an actual counterattack cannot proceed until the front foot plants itself to the ground, the airborne foot only creates a factor of vulnerability to the batter whose visual acuity is already substantially distorted by any movement of the head and eyes that automatically occurs as the body lunges forward.<\/p>\n Great athletes seem to have the ability to make certain physical adaptations that allow them to counteract visual distortions, some of the time, to maintain a respectable productivity. But, if all hitters would recognize that they are not sacrificing power with eliminating the \u201cstride\u201d and keeping the head still, their current batting performances would improve. The \u201cultimate-hitting\u201d Principle can now assert a more pronounced effectiveness against the statistical dominance of the \u201cPremier Pitcher Principle\u201d– (which is merely an illusion). The missing link in applying the hitting principle has always been the inconsistent visual acuity of the batter in accurately detecting the speed of the fast-ball, as well as the direction and varying speeds of \u201cbreaking\u201d and other off-speed pitches. All this, of course, was due to excessive movement of the head, the primary culprits being the tall stance, high bat, and batter\u2019s stride. Although the pitcher\u2019s arsenal of distracting and illusory forces will still wreak their havoc on unsuspecting \u201chead-gliders,\u201d a new era of batting prominence will set the standard for hitting elegance.<\/p>\n Puig’s primary\u00a0margins for error are his high stance, his stride, and the side-ways position of his front foot. If he croutched down, with feet spread to the length of his normal stride, and pointed his front foot\u00a0at a 45 degree angle to the pitcher, and\u00a0took no stride, then he would be able to have maximum balance (at the beginning and end of swing), see the ball most clearly, and wait longer before exploding onto the pitched ball.<\/p>\n Thus the process is simple and the results are sure if the Science is understood.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Yasiel Puig: Physical Perfection, Yet Batter – Imperfect! Dodger rookie outfield sensation, Yasiel Puig, is Baseball\u2019s newest physical \u201cPhenom\u201d. But will he be the next legitimate \u201cSuper-Star\u201d? Not unless he gains an understanding of the Principle of Hitting that underlies maximum success in a professional ball-player\u2019s quest to be a \u201cMaster-Batsman\u201d. Puig possesses all the … Continue reading Yasiel Puig: Physical Perfection, yet Batter – Imperfect!<\/span> <\/a><\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/p>\n