Batter's Box

[Polish Rifle]

What is the best technique when setting up in the batter's box before a pitch?  Do you want to scoot all the way up so you can take away some of the curve from a pitch?  Or do you scoot back so you have more time to hit a fast ball?

I guess I have always just been all the way up in the batters box and back off a bit from the plate so if it's an outside pitch and I can move in to get solid contact.  Just wanted to hear the theories out there.

[Attezz]

If you're going against Nolan or MScott, it doesn't really matter, now does it?

[JoeDirt]

In my opinion, the answer is whatever you are most comfortable with.  My personal preference is middle of the plate to front of the plate; but I've seen some really good players at the very back of the box.

[bonny]

Nolan once missed a start after being bit by a coyote.

[Polish Rifle]

Report:  Played about 3 games standing in the middle of the batter's box instead of at the top and didn't notice that much difference on the contact of the ball.  However, I believe it gave me that extra split second against the faster pitchers to move and react to the curve of the ball.

[nomaaa]

Report:  Played about 3 games standing in the middle of the batter's box instead of at the top and didn't notice that much difference on the contact of the ball.  However, I believe it gave me that extra split second against the faster pitchers to move and react to the curve of the ball.

do you use the "retreat" style of hitting?

[Gantry]

Start high, aim low...

[Darky]

What is the best technique when setting up in the batter's box before a pitch? 

It depends on feel as where to be in the box.

I like to mix it up by positioning myself everywhere in the box. I want to disrupt the pitcher's rhythm and train of thought to get him off edge.

If I can find a certain rhythm that day in a certain area in the batters box, then that is where I just may camp out for the rest of the day.

Going with the flow of the Force is not to be ignored in rbi. RBI is 1 percent physical and 99 percent intuitive/mental.

It can be tactically situational. There are certain situations where I like to keep my hitter from the middle to the top of the box.  I like to be far down on 2 strikes about70 percent of the time.


* These are just my opinions and observations  based on past success and failure. It may or may not work for you. There is no one way to hit from the box. It works for me and will always work for me.

[Polish Rifle]

My main concern is, if positioning yourself in different places effects the contact on the ball? 

Do you get less power if you're further back?  Are there certain pitches that you can't make contact with depending on how deep or shallow you are? 

I just wanted to see if anybody had done the math, or if it's even relevant.  So far, I haven't noticed a difference. 

[Attezz]

Contact is only concerned with where the bat meets the ball, doesn't matter where you are in the box

[Darky]

My main concern is, if positioning yourself in different places effects the contact on the ball? 

Do you get less power if you're further back?  Are there certain pitches that you can't make contact with depending on how deep or shallow you are? 
 

Positioning does not affect how hard the ball is hit. I would say that there are a lot of pitches that are harder to hit because of positioning in the box.

Being on top, middle, or bottom of the box carries risks and rewards depending on the positioning, pitch count, hitter, pitcher and situation.

[fknmclane]

My main concern is, if positioning yourself in different places effects the contact on the ball? 

Do you get less power if you're further back?  Are there certain pitches that you can't make contact with depending on how deep or shallow you are? 

I just wanted to see if anybody had done the math, or if it's even relevant.  So far, I haven't noticed a difference. 

I've always stood at the front of the box.  No real reason for it, that's just how I started playing and I've stuck with it.  I think the important thing is to be consistent with your approach.  Keep it simple.

[Attezz]

I'm convinced that Matt Nokes can only hit a home run if you're retreating while making contact with the ball.

[nomaaa]

I'm convinced that Matt Nokes can only hit a home run if you draft him in the second round.

[BeefMaster]

My main concern is, if positioning yourself in different places effects the contact on the ball? 

Do you get less power if you're further back?  Are there certain pitches that you can't make contact with depending on how deep or shallow you are? 

I just wanted to see if anybody had done the math, or if it's even relevant.  So far, I haven't noticed a difference. 

I don't know whether anyone's actually verified it, but I would guess that if the pitcher has enough curve, you can curve the ball late enough that it could be a strike that the guy in the front of the box can't hit.

[Briznock]

I'm convinced that Matt Nokes can only hit a home run if you're playing against GoReds and it is the bottom of the 9th with 2 outs and you are down a run with a runner on second in the final game of our 24 hour marathon.

My favorite part was the next 48 hours or so hanging out with him.  I don't think he said a word to me.  The entire 24 hour marathon was ruined for him in one swing of the bat.

[TβG]

My main concern is, if positioning yourself in different places effects the contact on the ball? 

Do you get less power if you're further back?  Are there certain pitches that you can't make contact with depending on how deep or shallow you are? 

I just wanted to see if anybody had done the math, or if it's even relevant.  So far, I haven't noticed a difference. 

I don't know whether anyone's actually verified it, but I would guess that if the pitcher has enough curve, you can curve the ball late enough that it could be a strike that the guy in the front of the box can't hit.

i concur with beefmaster.  according to my research with a hacked rom that included increased pitcher curve abilities as well as other oddities; what i found was that a pitch can be called for a strike even if it DOES NOT cross the plate. 

basically what i found is it all depends on where the catcher catches the ball.  so in theory, if a pitcher is able to curve a pitch around the plate and into the catcher's mitt somewhere behind the plate (wherever the game decides a pitch is a strike) the pitch will be called a strike. 

[Darky]

I don't know whether anyone's actually verified it, but I would guess that if the pitcher has enough curve, you can curve the ball late enough that it could be a strike that the guy in the front of the box can't hit.

It still can be hit if the hitter is crowding that area and goes the other way with that tough pitch. It could be a weak grounder, pop up, base hit or home run. It's all in the percentages that is dictated by the hitter' attributes. Your approach to that pitch plays a key role as well.
Fernando and Reushl are the only pitchers in the game with this kind of movement and capable of pulling it off.

But yes, getting a strike on the tip of the black is a reality on a late curve job.