Posted by: Jack Mankin (MrBatspeed@aol.com) on Tue Nov 20 22:19:25 2007

>>> Jack,

Do you think because of the shoulders rotation on an inside pitch being turned more towards the catcher than an outside pitch looks like the hitter might lean back at bit to hit an inside pitch. So does the batter lean back at all to get to that pitch or does it appear like he does. I know there are times on an inside pitch I feel like I leaned back to get to it while rotating. <<<

Hi Mike

You state, “on an inside pitch I feel like I leaned back to get to it while rotating. “ – I have noted that the axis of hitters like Bonds who exhibit a lot of BHT, lean back (toward the catcher) to get more lead-shoulder pull at contact. But keep in mind that the axis wading rearward is quite different than an axis wading away from the plate.

I am not saying a batter’s axis never wades away from the plate on inside pitches. However, I seldom find that to be the case, even when jammed.

Jack Mankin