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Originally Posted by cardinarky  I watched some of the LLWS playoffs from Steamboat Springs and could not believe the size of one of the players from Oklahoma. He is 13 years old and has to weigh in at 260/280. He was dominant in this series because he is hitting the ball with his arms and upper body. When hitting 300 ft or less you can get enough energy into the swing using your arms and upper torso. You really don't have to "turn" on the ball in LL
ML Baseball is a game that concentrates on lower body strength.
The reason "fat kids" can hit the ball in little league is because the pitchers don't have overpowering ball speed.
Once you hit senior level high school and college, the pitcher will generally dominate the LARGE BODY hitter because the hitter cannot swing the bat fast enough to catch up with the baseball.
The coach in Steamboat Springs chose to pitch the big player down and in. The kid's weakness was really high and tight. He was using his arms and wisth his size he could not get around on a high hard pitch. The "fat" simply will not permit the swing to be executed.
He does not have the bat speed necessary to wait to start his swing while his brain is examining the nuances of the pitched baseball. A mdeium to good pitcher will tie the larger batter in knots. Oh once in a while he will connect but his strikeout ratio will be through the roof.
What has made Bonds successful is BAT SPEED. He has the fastest bat in MLB at around 115MPH through the hitting zone. Typical major leaguers are in the 95 to 100 MPH range. A close speed to Bonds is Gary Sheffield. And both of them can wait longer to start their swings.
In MLB you need speed with the bat, and speed on the bases. You don't win with one dimensional players. If the American League would do away with the DH, you would see about 12 major league players looking for a job. |
Coincidentally, both Bonds and Sheffield were tied to Balco's steroid scandal. Not sure if that means anything or not. Bonds also is known for using one of the lighter bats in MLB, not sure if that helps with bat speed either, although I would surmise yes. I do agree on your synopsis on chubby hitters, and torso, legs and flexibility all are keys. More weight to turn has to slow things down about, although Prince Fielder seems unaffected by that this year, same goes for his father Cecil who was fairly heavy in his hay day and still hit moon shots.