View Full Version : intentional foul balls
bob_r
05-31-2007, 09:25 AM
Are the pro's so good they can foul pitches off at will? If they do what is the technique?
TG Coach
05-31-2007, 09:35 AM
Are the pro's so good they can foul pitches off at will? If they do what is the technique?
They don't go to the plate looking to foul off the ball. The go to the plate looking to make solid contact on their pitch. Given this, the hitters who don't strike out a lot can often get a piece of the ball, fouling off a tough pitch to handle with two strikes.
There was a good example last night with David Ortiz. He fouled off several pitches, then nearly hit a grand slam (missed by a couple f feet). But the pitcher kept coming at him and eventually got him to hit a soft liner to short.
RagArm
05-31-2007, 10:34 AM
They do intentionally foul off balls if they have two strikes and it's a pitch they don't want to handle. Maybe they got fooled or were looking for a different location and know they don't want to put that in play. So they foul it off. Typically they use more of an arm swing and lead with the hands. That drags the bat head behind and creates a contact angle that will foul the ball off.
You don't see many that do that but here and there you will. Pete Rose was pretty good and getting rid of pitches he didn't "want".
Lenny Dykstra was great at this...as is Biggio.
paul5150
05-31-2007, 11:12 AM
its fairly easy to foul of a low and outside pitch u dont want. Same with the pitch up.
Williamsburg2599
05-31-2007, 11:29 AM
Ichiro says he can:
"I can do that (foul off pitches) intentionally. They were borderline. And I was trying to get the pitcher to make a mistake." Source: Associated Press (June 15, 2002)
Of course, Ichiro is an exception to many baseball coaches' rules. I wouldn't suggest that Little Leaguers go up there and try to foul every pitch that isin't perfect hitting material off on purpose.
bluezebra
06-01-2007, 09:22 AM
Luke Appling, White Sox Hall of Fame shortstop, was adept at fouling off pitches, until he got one to his liking.
It must have worked, since he had a career BA of .310, career high of .388 (led AL) in 1936, and led AL with .328 in 1943. He batted .300 or better in 15 seasons, and had nine in-a-row. In 1936, he had 128 RBIs on only six home runs.
Bob
J-MAC
06-01-2007, 01:11 PM
Luke Appling, White Sox Hall of Fame shortstop, was adept at fouling off pitches, until he got one to his liking.
As the story goes, he gave his family a bunch of tickets to watch him play baseball on one fine summer's day. He ended up hitting 12 foul balls in one at bit that all landed in the same proxcimity as to where his family was seated.
hiddengem
06-01-2007, 02:56 PM
Wade Boggs was probably the best of all time at this.
Williamsburg2599
06-01-2007, 03:00 PM
Wade Boggs was probably the best of all time at this.
HG, do you ever try to do this? If so, do you do it often? (like every AB)