...for all those in my life -- 'through the years' -- that I have in any way shared or will share hitting with -- and have learned and will learn through...from the momentary and seemingly inconsequential, to the extended and intense...with girls, boys, women, men...
Here's part of a quote that -- to me -- says almost everything about hitting...
"...how he's able to process information out of the pitcher's hand and transfer that to mechanical action..." (from Paul Toboni -- Boston Red Sox former director of amateur scouting, vice-president, & current Asst.GM --about a top hitting prospect)...
...It's all right there!
What follows next is my best continuing effort to address it all -- and to try to 'figure out the hitting enigma'...
1. That above quote sounds to me very much like my version of 'what hitting is all about'...that the hitter's proficiency at 'seeing and reacting to the ball' ('pitch processing') out of the pitcher's hand determines 'almost everything' -- in particular, the way a hitter's swing varies/changes from pitch to pitch, and a hitter's ability to 'find the ball with the bat'... and this then requires priority attention -- 'eyes on the prize' and 'KEEP YOUR BRAIN ON THE BALL'! ("'brain on the ball' things" over 'swing things')...a hitting approach, discussion, presentation, etc. of any kind that addresses mechanics in any way first is comparable to 'burying the lede' in journalism...and it all starts with understanding and addressing 'distracted/multitask hitting' -- avoiding this -- and thus allowing for the necessary 'processing of information out of the pitcher's hand'...thus, the hitter reacting to the 'game pitched ball' RULES!!!...the way the hitter sees and mentally reacts to and processes the pitch can very much be seen as 'a root CAUSE' -- the "most relevant and 'material' and meaningful" cause -- while the 'nature of the swing' is the EFFECT ("put 'cause things' over 'effect things'" -- and identify primary causes for 'swing thing issues' -- & the nature of each swing is not determined until the last split-second) -- and so primarily addressing and dealing with 'swing things' is "putting on a Band-Aid" as the solution to a critical issue...this is a hitting 'approach' centered on 'hitting vision' (a variation of the long-time, often held, and popularly called "see the ball - hit the ball" approach?)...when you believe that the hitter reacting to the 'game pitched ball' -- not the hitter's swing 'in itself'-- is "the 'heart' of the hitting 'universe'" ( thus believing the presence of a 'false unstated/implicit/implied premise'?...violates/goes against the 'prime directive'?,...leading to a 'paradigm shift'?...also, the cosmos & 'laws of nature' -- not humans/humanity -- is the 'center of the universe'), then critical issues are opened up to recognize and address -- What is 'out-of-context hitting'? What 'makes' 'growth and development'? What is 'success'? What is 'being a smart hitter'? What is 'making adjustments'? What is 'seeing the ball' and what does it involve? Are the right questions being asked? It's complicated! -- and my best 'answers' start by "placing the hitter reacting to the game pitched ball at the 'heart' of the hitting 'universe'", and by understanding the hitter's need to "process information out of the pitcher's hand and transfer that to mechanical action"...and by being aware of, understanding, and addressing 'distracted/unfocused hitting' and 'out-of-context hitting'...and always dealing with these and all areas as they are appropriately involved within the RPT System -- and within 'the nature of the game'...(understanding hitting becomes primarily an issue of 'trying to control things that can't be controlled)...
2. The part of the RPT System that features the brain's incredible non-thinking/automatic/involuntary/unconscious/subconscious abilities for 'timing and tracking' the ball -- RULES!!! (hitting on 'auto-pilot')...like having 'virtual' specialized 'hitting satellites' ('sat nav' system? -- to 'home in' on the ball) in your brain (a successful hitter 'needs the highest quality satellites'!) to 'process information out of the pitcher's hand' (not from a scouting report, etc)...and not at a conscious level...be careful about making hitting into 'a chess match' between hitter and pitcher...trust your 'hitting satellites' to 'find the ball with the bat' -- and trust that they will perform at the necessary level and will act as if they are constantly 'getting automatic downloads/updates/upgrades' with each pitch, with the likelihood that they will continually 'upgrade themselves' -- and your 'satellites' don't like 'getting caught in a hitter's chess match with the pitcher' (they'll 'start buffering' -- 'satellite interference')...appropriately 'hit brain reset/refresh' -- after any 'manual download/update/upgrade', and before each pitch..."your 'conscious brain activity' is not your friend here"...and on any given pitch, avoid 'over concern' that 'that pitch might be thrown to a tough spot' -- in or near the strike zone -- and avoid thinking 'just make contact'...stay ready for a 'hittable pitch' with your 'best swing' -- and 'make the best of what you get'...could equate to "always looking for any good pitch to hit".
3. Context and Holism RULE!!!...understand the 'overall hitting significance' of when the hitter 'runs to 1st' and drops the bat soon after contact on the way to 1st -- like what happens in a game...it affects the swing...whenever a hitter takes a swing apart from the game situation, one has to wonder what that swing really 'is'...understand and address 'hitting out of context'..."if it's not the game, it's not the same" (righties have a 'virtual fail-safe' for 'staying on the ball' throughout their swing).
3. Context and Holism RULE!!!...understand the 'overall hitting significance' of when the hitter 'runs to 1st' and drops the bat soon after contact on the way to 1st -- like what happens in a game...it affects the swing...whenever a hitter takes a swing apart from the game situation, one has to wonder what that swing really 'is'...understand and address 'hitting out of context'..."if it's not the game, it's not the same" (righties have a 'virtual fail-safe' for 'staying on the ball' throughout their swing).
4. The most critical part of hitting and the RPT System is in the INSTANT OF PITCH RELEASE for each pitch (hitting's all-determining split second -- RPT-IOPR)...this period of time -- "a split second to 'surrender control' (RPT-SC) -- surrendering to your 'unconscious/subconscious brain' -- DICTATES EVERYTHING! -- and OVERRIDES the 'in-all-human-practical-sustained-CONSCIOUS' possibility of so much else -- including what can be done in exceptional ways in other sports situations ("that stuff just doesn't work here")...most importantly RPT-IOPR determines the way that the hitter 'sees the ball' (what does it mean to 'see the ball'?), which then determines all that happens next, ideally allowing everything to function at the necessary and highest levels -- 'from pitch release to swing' (FPRTS)...(and your 'hitting brain' can find instant maximum 'power and efficiency' -- 'instant on' -- by getting the brain to the right place at the right time -- at RPT- IOPR)...master the ability to 'process information out of the pitcher's hand', by - first of all - understanding and addressing 'distracted/multitask hitting'...appropriately 'hit brain reset' then 'block new input' before each pitch -- ZONE-OUT...maximize 'processing and reacting' by 'surrendering control' (RPT-SC)...hitting success is -- more than anything else -- about 'nailing' RPT-IOPR! (where is one's brain at RPT-IOPR?) -- the SPECIAL CONNECTION of mental and physical elements within RPT-IOPR -- mental/focus, and as much of appropriate physical/preliminary movements as possible...(rapid perceptual decision-making -- RPDM)
5. 'Surrendering control' in any life situation is always complicated and challenging...and hitting brings that 'front and center' -- with all kinds of complex situations and options...and with RPT-SC the 'surrender' means more than FOR that split-second -- it means BECAUSE of that split-second, all ramifications of that split-second -- the entirety of RPT-IOPR! Can you 'buy into' 'hitting's strategic surrender'?...'surrender' and trust...'surrender' and react...'surrender and conquer'?
6. Dealing with hitting without fully seeking, considering, and addressing the 'whole picture' - including all elements of RPT principles - encourages and creates significant misconceptions as well as meaningless and often counter-productive efforts.
7. Like Yogi said..."you can't think and hit at the same time",...or, you can't - at the same time - try to form a thought and still be 100% focused on the ball in order to recognize pitches early (multi-tasking is not for hitting!...and don't get 'caught in-between' shifting your focus -- when you don't get 'there' in time, you lose way too much, maybe even produce a 'blank-frame'...or 'brain overload -- 'buffering' & 'shutdown'?), "process information out of the pitcher's hand" ('satellite activity' - 'timing and tracking'), and appropriately transfer that information into mechanical action... valid thoughts like getting your stride foot down at the right time -- and not too 'heavy' with the stride -- become 'a very dangerous place to go' ("don't 'go there'"!)...the swing needs to be 'driven' by the process of natural 'preliminary' movements in preparing to see and react to the ball -- and then the actual reacting to the ball...and hitter's DO NOT CONSCIOUSLY RECOGNIZE THE PITCH...understand and battle against 'distracted/unfocused/multitask hitting'...('walk and chew gum' in hitting?...'brain mute'?)...'super focused' for an instant leading up to release out of the pitcher's hand -- RPT-IOPR...minimize the number of pitches 'not seen to the maximum' (for assorted reasons)... don't ask "what was I thinking there?", but instead ask "WHY was I thinking there?".
7. Like Yogi said..."you can't think and hit at the same time",...or, you can't - at the same time - try to form a thought and still be 100% focused on the ball in order to recognize pitches early (multi-tasking is not for hitting!...and don't get 'caught in-between' shifting your focus -- when you don't get 'there' in time, you lose way too much, maybe even produce a 'blank-frame'...or 'brain overload -- 'buffering' & 'shutdown'?), "process information out of the pitcher's hand" ('satellite activity' - 'timing and tracking'), and appropriately transfer that information into mechanical action... valid thoughts like getting your stride foot down at the right time -- and not too 'heavy' with the stride -- become 'a very dangerous place to go' ("don't 'go there'"!)...the swing needs to be 'driven' by the process of natural 'preliminary' movements in preparing to see and react to the ball -- and then the actual reacting to the ball...and hitter's DO NOT CONSCIOUSLY RECOGNIZE THE PITCH...understand and battle against 'distracted/unfocused/multitask hitting'...('walk and chew gum' in hitting?...'brain mute'?)...'super focused' for an instant leading up to release out of the pitcher's hand -- RPT-IOPR...minimize the number of pitches 'not seen to the maximum' (for assorted reasons)... don't ask "what was I thinking there?", but instead ask "WHY was I thinking there?".
8. Hitters often -- after a pitch -- 'work backwards' in their mind and decide that they must have seen and must have thought things, and must have acted in ways that they really didn't or really couldn't have (you don't have enough time -- less than .5 seconds -- to recognize a pitch and form a hitting thought and act on it -- THIS IS TOTALLY 'UNDERAPPRECIATED'...the human brain is limited in what it can do in .45 sec. & hitting is affected totally by the .4 sec-.5 sec. variances & subsequent ramifications)...it's a 'mental illusion'..."oh, the tricks your mind can play".
9. When a hitter does a predetermined take, they learn virtually nothing meaningful about the pitch -- because their RPT System is essentially 'turned off'.
10. The 'mechanical action' part of the RPT System is critical, but limited in terms of the ability to make meaningful changes -- and limited in making muscle memory work and to 'transfer in context' (from practice to game) -- 'innate' mechanics RULE!!! ('repeatable and athletic' -- 'artistry and science mixed right'), and are best in order to make 'transfers in context'...the swing is also 'best seen as being driven' by the process of natural 'preliminary' movements -- preparing to see and react to the ball (RPT-IOPR) -- and then the actual reacting to the ball (RPT-FPRTS)...and the 'best swings' are the ones 'effectively driven by that reacting to the ball process'...this is the 'special connection' between the 'reacting to the ball' and the mechanical actions -- between the hitter's 'satellite activity' and 'swing action' (look at 'the whole of' RPT-IOPR as the major 'energy source'?...what your body does 'around and including' RPT-IOPR is critical)
11. THE MOST critical movements of a hitter are 'preliminary' and involve the SPECIAL CONNECTION of hands going back (in some version) WHILE striding forward (and even continuing back after the stride foot lands for the last time -- "in-sync transitioning of 'going back to going forward'" -- 'change of direction'? -- 'coil' and 'uncoil', in proper sync with the stride -- and always without thinking about it!), around and including RPT-IOPR -- making "the heart of one's swing 'in sync'"...this is a 'perfect load' (the 'essence' of Ted Williams' "cock your hips"?...the timing and coordination of the 'load' IS CRITICAL!)...also, 'walking away from the hands'...and 'tempo' here is an issue -- 'slower' and 'longer' in time, with an early start, is best (and not late and not too 'heavy' with the stride -- sets up any appropriate split-second 'wait' or 'pause' -- 'stretch it out'?)...preliminary movement's -- including the stride -- ideally should be completed -- watch for 'toe-tap, etc. -- before total pitch recognition ('processing') and split-second decision making can happen appropriately...and natural is essential -- these are regular and common hitting actions...and if the right movements aren't there, don't try to create them -- just go right into the mental part of RPT-IOPR without any movement to supplement the stride...'STRIDE TO SWING' vs. 'STRIDE AND SWING'...'stride-to-swing with a load' that is 'late and rushed' is a significant variation and very different than 'stride and swing'...critical to have a 'wait' capability built into the 'stride-to-swing', with the involuntary/unconscious wait varied depending on each pitch -- this presents a 'stride to swing tempo' (S2ST -- 'wait/pause factor gap/threshold' -- with an ability to appropriately 'wait longer' after the completed stride ('built-in flexibility'?...makes one less vulnerable to all the critical pitch differences -- speed, location, movement) -- watch for 'toe-tap', 'double-stride', and 'hanging leg-kick') -- and it all has to be properly synced with the 'load', most often necessary for any consistent, advanced hitting success (this is all innate -- hard to create or change -- and part of one's DNA? -- how much is one 'locked-in' to 'their own' S2ST when it's 'too quick'/close together?)...is minimal movement -- 'being quiet' -- 'best'???...maybe not...it depends...and -- again -- beware of late-landing stride foot! ("starting a 'tick' too late"?/"landing a 'tick' too late"? -- 10 million 'ticks' in a second?/equals 100 nanoseconds?) -- in effect not allowing for any -- or best -- 'stride-to-swing')...watch for ''the movement and direction of the hands as the stride foot lands" for the last time (again, watch for 'toe-tap', 'double-stride', simply keeping the front toe planted while lifting the front heel and then returning it firmly to the ground, etc.) -- it's not enough to start on time (which most importantly 'turns-on' and initiates the RPT System -- for hand movement/loading and 'satellite activity'), but one must land/end and/or finally BECOME FIRMLY PLANTED on time, and the sooner after RPT-IOPR the better for that foot landing -- but not 'flat-footed'...it becomes so much about one's 'stride-to-swing tempo with appropriate load' -- S2STWAL? (how about measuring and recording the time between 'when a hitter's stride foot lands' -- and/or becomes firmly planted for a final time -- and when that hitter's 'hands start forward to make contact'?...the 'stride-to-swing interval/pause' (S2SI, or STSP) -- too short? -- the 'stride-to-swing interval threshold' (S2SIT) -- too 'fast/quick'? -- and the 'stride-to-swing interval span' (S2SIS) -- too short? -- are all 'in play', with a 'real' pause/interval and 'suspension of energy' between .001-.5 sec.?...does someone "have it/'the pause' in them" ('pause-ability' or 'pausibility'?) -- have a 'feel for pausing/waiting' -- and/or are they giving themselves 'enough time to wait'?...critical to the nanosecond' ('a tick'?)...this element -- like so many in hitting -- is not 'in and of itself' a 'deal-breaker' (but is 'less than ideal'?), but it is of critical concern and impact as it plays out with other elements...1st movement&stride ending: (a)early&early; (b)early⪭ (c)late&early; (d)late&late -- (a) is ideal...(overall -- to make consistent contact at the right place and time -- the hitter needs to be able to be 'early' and 'late' 'at the same time', without 'slowing down' or 'rushing' to get there...the 'stride time' should be the same, and the landing time in relation to the 'load' should be the same...what changes is the 'pause/wait time'...does the hitter have the appropriate STSI possibilities?...'hitter's balk'?...'step-load-swing' vs. 'load-step-swing'...SLS vs. LSS...this all 'challenges' the hitter's 'optimum contact point time' -- OCPT).
12. The next most critical is 'hands inside the ball' to contact (arms and shoulders in proper sync), then next is head staying still ('quiet') to and thru contact and well into follow-through...also, pay special attention to - with many ramifications -- top hand action to, through, and after contact -- including the top hand possibly coming off the bat after contact...and also pay attention to back foot action consistent with balance and 'weight shift'...and avoid too much rotation of the hips and shoulders -- don't 'turn' to initiate movement in the swing ('turn on it'?...'squish the bug' illusion?), but instead to follow through on the weight shift with 'appropriate contact' out front.
13. 'Starting to run and dropping the bat' is a real factor in the swing and part of the end of one's mechanics (and part of one's 'unconscious brain' in RPT-IOPR) -- and should be included as much as possible when practicing (try to avoid 'out of context' hitting...all part of the 'physiology of hitting'?...a critical 'piece of the puzzle'? )...this will often play a meaningful role in some manner in swing mechanics and their development...and in the way a swing 'looks' and is assessed...particularly in the tendencies of lefty hitters vs. righty hitters, showing in various ways...if the bases were 'run counterclockwise', everyone's swing would change.
14. Proactively 'stay out of your own way' (out of a hitter's way), especially regarding internal radar tracking and in 'processing information out of the pitcher's hand' -- in RPT-IOPR...eliminate distractions, disruptions, and obstacles to your 'hitting satellites' -- and even 'blank frames' (the eye and brain "see 30-60 frames per second" -- 1 frame = approx. .02sec -- and obstacles can 'virtually create' 'blank frames' (a 'brain blink distraction'?) -- RPT-IOPR spans several (1-3) frames...'shutter wide open' -- and not too early, to avoid 'overexposure' -- 'instant on') -- for 'hitting vision'...'doing nothing' does not have to mean 'doing nothing' -- it means staying out of your own way! -- and 'surrendering control'...the goal is to 'trust your swing' -- 'make the best of it' -- and 'own it'!...and to trust your 'hitting satellites'.
15. The most critical hitting 'adjustments' are those that happen -- ADJUSTMENTS HAPPEN -- in internal radar tracking of RPT 'non-thinking' (as part of 'processing information out of the pitcher's hand'...from 'taking in input') -- at an automatic/unconscious/unquantifiable/non-analytic level...as part of 'automatic downloads/updates' after each pitch (this 'input' comes into play on the pitcher's side, working pitch sequences)...and if one is tending to be late -- rather than trying to 'move sooner', focus on seeing the ball better/earlier.
16. Individual 'game swing' mechanics are not totally self-determining (muscle memory -- which has severe limitations, particularly as it relates in hitting), but are very much determined by the pitch and how the hitter reacts to it...focus on the ball and 'process information out of the pitcher's hand' -- to the highest possible level -- and let that transfer into your best natural mechanical actions...this can be considered as treating hitting with a 'pitch reaction-based' approach (accepting and embracing your natural mechanics) vs. a 'mechanics-based' approach (accepting your limitations in not 'seeing the ball' best)...this also turns into 'not trying to control' mechanics vs. 'trying to control' mechanics...being early or late is more than about a 'contact point' - it can be the major cause of 'distorted swings' and apparent bad mechanics.
9. When a hitter does a predetermined take, they learn virtually nothing meaningful about the pitch -- because their RPT System is essentially 'turned off'.
10. The 'mechanical action' part of the RPT System is critical, but limited in terms of the ability to make meaningful changes -- and limited in making muscle memory work and to 'transfer in context' (from practice to game) -- 'innate' mechanics RULE!!! ('repeatable and athletic' -- 'artistry and science mixed right'), and are best in order to make 'transfers in context'...the swing is also 'best seen as being driven' by the process of natural 'preliminary' movements -- preparing to see and react to the ball (RPT-IOPR) -- and then the actual reacting to the ball (RPT-FPRTS)...and the 'best swings' are the ones 'effectively driven by that reacting to the ball process'...this is the 'special connection' between the 'reacting to the ball' and the mechanical actions -- between the hitter's 'satellite activity' and 'swing action' (look at 'the whole of' RPT-IOPR as the major 'energy source'?...what your body does 'around and including' RPT-IOPR is critical)
11. THE MOST critical movements of a hitter are 'preliminary' and involve the SPECIAL CONNECTION of hands going back (in some version) WHILE striding forward (and even continuing back after the stride foot lands for the last time -- "in-sync transitioning of 'going back to going forward'" -- 'change of direction'? -- 'coil' and 'uncoil', in proper sync with the stride -- and always without thinking about it!), around and including RPT-IOPR -- making "the heart of one's swing 'in sync'"...this is a 'perfect load' (the 'essence' of Ted Williams' "cock your hips"?...the timing and coordination of the 'load' IS CRITICAL!)...also, 'walking away from the hands'...and 'tempo' here is an issue -- 'slower' and 'longer' in time, with an early start, is best (and not late and not too 'heavy' with the stride -- sets up any appropriate split-second 'wait' or 'pause' -- 'stretch it out'?)...preliminary movement's -- including the stride -- ideally should be completed -- watch for 'toe-tap, etc. -- before total pitch recognition ('processing') and split-second decision making can happen appropriately...and natural is essential -- these are regular and common hitting actions...and if the right movements aren't there, don't try to create them -- just go right into the mental part of RPT-IOPR without any movement to supplement the stride...'STRIDE TO SWING' vs. 'STRIDE AND SWING'...'stride-to-swing with a load' that is 'late and rushed' is a significant variation and very different than 'stride and swing'...critical to have a 'wait' capability built into the 'stride-to-swing', with the involuntary/unconscious wait varied depending on each pitch -- this presents a 'stride to swing tempo' (S2ST -- 'wait/pause factor gap/threshold' -- with an ability to appropriately 'wait longer' after the completed stride ('built-in flexibility'?...makes one less vulnerable to all the critical pitch differences -- speed, location, movement) -- watch for 'toe-tap', 'double-stride', and 'hanging leg-kick') -- and it all has to be properly synced with the 'load', most often necessary for any consistent, advanced hitting success (this is all innate -- hard to create or change -- and part of one's DNA? -- how much is one 'locked-in' to 'their own' S2ST when it's 'too quick'/close together?)...is minimal movement -- 'being quiet' -- 'best'???...maybe not...it depends...and -- again -- beware of late-landing stride foot! ("starting a 'tick' too late"?/"landing a 'tick' too late"? -- 10 million 'ticks' in a second?/equals 100 nanoseconds?) -- in effect not allowing for any -- or best -- 'stride-to-swing')...watch for ''the movement and direction of the hands as the stride foot lands" for the last time (again, watch for 'toe-tap', 'double-stride', simply keeping the front toe planted while lifting the front heel and then returning it firmly to the ground, etc.) -- it's not enough to start on time (which most importantly 'turns-on' and initiates the RPT System -- for hand movement/loading and 'satellite activity'), but one must land/end and/or finally BECOME FIRMLY PLANTED on time, and the sooner after RPT-IOPR the better for that foot landing -- but not 'flat-footed'...it becomes so much about one's 'stride-to-swing tempo with appropriate load' -- S2STWAL? (how about measuring and recording the time between 'when a hitter's stride foot lands' -- and/or becomes firmly planted for a final time -- and when that hitter's 'hands start forward to make contact'?...the 'stride-to-swing interval/pause' (S2SI, or STSP) -- too short? -- the 'stride-to-swing interval threshold' (S2SIT) -- too 'fast/quick'? -- and the 'stride-to-swing interval span' (S2SIS) -- too short? -- are all 'in play', with a 'real' pause/interval and 'suspension of energy' between .001-.5 sec.?...does someone "have it/'the pause' in them" ('pause-ability' or 'pausibility'?) -- have a 'feel for pausing/waiting' -- and/or are they giving themselves 'enough time to wait'?...critical to the nanosecond' ('a tick'?)...this element -- like so many in hitting -- is not 'in and of itself' a 'deal-breaker' (but is 'less than ideal'?), but it is of critical concern and impact as it plays out with other elements...1st movement&stride ending: (a)early&early; (b)early⪭ (c)late&early; (d)late&late -- (a) is ideal...(overall -- to make consistent contact at the right place and time -- the hitter needs to be able to be 'early' and 'late' 'at the same time', without 'slowing down' or 'rushing' to get there...the 'stride time' should be the same, and the landing time in relation to the 'load' should be the same...what changes is the 'pause/wait time'...does the hitter have the appropriate STSI possibilities?...'hitter's balk'?...'step-load-swing' vs. 'load-step-swing'...SLS vs. LSS...this all 'challenges' the hitter's 'optimum contact point time' -- OCPT).
12. The next most critical is 'hands inside the ball' to contact (arms and shoulders in proper sync), then next is head staying still ('quiet') to and thru contact and well into follow-through...also, pay special attention to - with many ramifications -- top hand action to, through, and after contact -- including the top hand possibly coming off the bat after contact...and also pay attention to back foot action consistent with balance and 'weight shift'...and avoid too much rotation of the hips and shoulders -- don't 'turn' to initiate movement in the swing ('turn on it'?...'squish the bug' illusion?), but instead to follow through on the weight shift with 'appropriate contact' out front.
13. 'Starting to run and dropping the bat' is a real factor in the swing and part of the end of one's mechanics (and part of one's 'unconscious brain' in RPT-IOPR) -- and should be included as much as possible when practicing (try to avoid 'out of context' hitting...all part of the 'physiology of hitting'?...a critical 'piece of the puzzle'? )...this will often play a meaningful role in some manner in swing mechanics and their development...and in the way a swing 'looks' and is assessed...particularly in the tendencies of lefty hitters vs. righty hitters, showing in various ways...if the bases were 'run counterclockwise', everyone's swing would change.
14. Proactively 'stay out of your own way' (out of a hitter's way), especially regarding internal radar tracking and in 'processing information out of the pitcher's hand' -- in RPT-IOPR...eliminate distractions, disruptions, and obstacles to your 'hitting satellites' -- and even 'blank frames' (the eye and brain "see 30-60 frames per second" -- 1 frame = approx. .02sec -- and obstacles can 'virtually create' 'blank frames' (a 'brain blink distraction'?) -- RPT-IOPR spans several (1-3) frames...'shutter wide open' -- and not too early, to avoid 'overexposure' -- 'instant on') -- for 'hitting vision'...'doing nothing' does not have to mean 'doing nothing' -- it means staying out of your own way! -- and 'surrendering control'...the goal is to 'trust your swing' -- 'make the best of it' -- and 'own it'!...and to trust your 'hitting satellites'.
15. The most critical hitting 'adjustments' are those that happen -- ADJUSTMENTS HAPPEN -- in internal radar tracking of RPT 'non-thinking' (as part of 'processing information out of the pitcher's hand'...from 'taking in input') -- at an automatic/unconscious/unquantifiable/non-analytic level...as part of 'automatic downloads/updates' after each pitch (this 'input' comes into play on the pitcher's side, working pitch sequences)...and if one is tending to be late -- rather than trying to 'move sooner', focus on seeing the ball better/earlier.
16. Individual 'game swing' mechanics are not totally self-determining (muscle memory -- which has severe limitations, particularly as it relates in hitting), but are very much determined by the pitch and how the hitter reacts to it...focus on the ball and 'process information out of the pitcher's hand' -- to the highest possible level -- and let that transfer into your best natural mechanical actions...this can be considered as treating hitting with a 'pitch reaction-based' approach (accepting and embracing your natural mechanics) vs. a 'mechanics-based' approach (accepting your limitations in not 'seeing the ball' best)...this also turns into 'not trying to control' mechanics vs. 'trying to control' mechanics...being early or late is more than about a 'contact point' - it can be the major cause of 'distorted swings' and apparent bad mechanics.
17. "Going in this kind of 'direction'" of thought is likely an alternative approach -- 'a different consciousness' ('next-gen'? -- and again, the 'physiology of hitting'?...how ev erything in hitting 'connects'?) -- unlike that of the many with respected but differing yet almost always one-dimensional ideas...for those who believe that the hitter can't think about swing mechanics or anything else during game at bats and still maintain the right focus to best see and react to the pitched ball and 'process information out of the pitcher's hand'...and for those who want to avoid 'distracted/unfocused hitting' and make the game pitched ball "the 'heart' of the hitting universe"...and who think that hitting/the swing can be treated as a 'natural phenomenon' (like riding a bike?), with 'normal and routine hitting actions' -- that mostly 'JUST HAPPEN' -- and these actions are there to analyze and understand, but better off not trying to 'create or duplicate' -- or 'reverse engineer'...(also, consider the hitter's brain and efforts at 'multitask hitting' vs. the ability to superfocus on the ball...can't really afford to 'multitask')..."mainstream hitting misses the mark" -- 'swings and misses'...'fruit of the poisonous tree'?...and what happens when learning something new CHANGES EVERYTHING???...it is not my claim that people are wrong here, but that "they are not right enough"...
18. The word 'tried' -- as in "tried to pull" or "tried to go the other way" or "tried to hit a home run" -- can very often be misleading (unless the hitter totally pre-commits to an action -- and most likely 'self-distracts', if the process involves much of a change from their 'normal, natural thing')...it's more like swung 'as if trying to...', or 'hoping to...' -- like in 'advancing the runner'...thus, being early on a pitch away can look 'as if' trying to pull, and being late or reacting appropriately late to a pitch away (effectively "letting the pitch get deep") can look 'as if' trying to go the other way...and effectively hitting an inside pitch 'the other way' is most often about the hitter's natural tendency...'using the whole field' (and "hitting the ball where it's pitched"?) is more about what your swing allows (and "things just working out right"?) than it is about 'trying to do something'...and "trying to hit home runs" is really about "doing what it takes for hitters to 'do what they have to do' in order to 'handle all pitches, etc.'" -- while 'staying true to their swing' -- with home runs 'in the mix'... (the word 'expecting' -- was or wasn't -- can also be very misleading...and distinguish between 'thinking about' and 'dealing with')...and it's always all about 'what the hitter gets from the pitcher'!...hitting 'discipline' is mostly about what a hitter's swing brings/allows and 'satellite quality'/'information processing' vs. being a learned/developed mental trait -- the 'idea of learning' here (as 'cognitive activity') is misleading...using the term 'off-balance' regarding a hitter's actions on a given pitch would most often be better off (more meaningful) replaced with 'off-timing'.
19. The hitter's movements should START ('natural/innate trigger' -- almost always from the front leg in starting to stride and/or from 'hands movement back') 'slightly before' the pitched ball is released -- RPT-IOPR...anticipate the release of the ball with your 1st movement...(but don't 'think' "start...now"..."just do it!")...and along with initiating movement, the 'natural trigger' helps open up and clear the critical pathways for one's 'internal tracking brain satellites', 'hitter's vision', and 'processing information' to work best -- and 'nail RPT-IOPR! (a 'timing window of preliminary movement' -- 'slightly before' RPT-IOPR...and 'learn' how to 'comfortably' -- and subconsciously -- 'adjust accordingly' that starting time! (start and finish the stride and other preliminary movements soon enough -- within a 'time window', and without thinking about it -- so you can 'slow the pitch down', and have time to get to the right contact point) -- not just timing the pitch but timing the pitcher's release action, as called for by pitcher to pitcher differences.
20. The hitter can't have TOTAL ball awareness and ANY body awareness at the same time.
21. The hitter can't consciously adjust their game swing mechanics without 'self-distracting'.
22. Changing your stance can have the effect of -- because of any 'new' movements created and allowed -- creating game swing 'mechanical adjustments' without self-distracting.
23. It's not how you start (stance) that matters, but how you move and where you move to -- and when -- after starting...(and the coordination of stride forward, hands back -- and appropriately with the pitcher...'in sync physically' -- with oneself and the pitcher).
24. Muscle memory is dependent on 'open skill' vs. 'closed skill', and on game vs. non-game -- context matters (and hitting is the ultimate 'open skill' -- where the critical issues and 'environment' are 'dynamic' -- constantly changing and different -- and the hitter is 'not in control of what will happen next')...thus, it's very hard -- to impossible -- to change game muscle memory by repeating non-game actions...(muscle memory vs. innate actions?).
25. The non-thinking elements and 'internal radar timing and tracking' of RPT have 2 basic functions: swing or take (a reactive decision), and "find the ball with your bat".
26. Recognizing pitches early doesn't mean 'knowing what's coming' or 'looking for' or 'expecting' or 'sitting on' pitches...TRUST and MASTER your internal radar tracking of the RPT System!!! to 'process information' ('hitting vision')...'being patient' and 'being disciplined' can also be misleading terms -- it's about recognizing pitches, 'knowing your strike zone' and having an appropriate S2ST...('selective'?...'decision'/'split-second decision'?)...also, a hitter can often 'act as if' they knew what was coming or as if they guessed right or expected something, simply by optimizing their internal tracking RPT System on that pitch -- or can give an appearance of guessing wrong by actually simply not seeing and 'processing' that pitch well...and when looking for a particular pitch -- or for a pitch location -- is referred to, what 'level of thought' is meant? ('back of your mind'?...semi-conscious?...'power of suggestion'?)...this can be a complicated 'place to go'...and again -- it's all about dealing with ('processing and transferring' and making the most of) what one gets from the pitcher...and again -- the 'unconscious brain' just 'looking for the ball', also can be called "always looking for any good pitch to hit".
27. Be able to 'think out of the box' about what happens 'in the box'.
28. 'RPT'...includes that the hitter has to get their BRAIN to the 'right place' at the 'right time' -- TOTAL FOCUS on the ball at the split second before release of the ball (RPT-IOPR).
19. The hitter's movements should START ('natural/innate trigger' -- almost always from the front leg in starting to stride and/or from 'hands movement back') 'slightly before' the pitched ball is released -- RPT-IOPR...anticipate the release of the ball with your 1st movement...(but don't 'think' "start...now"..."just do it!")...and along with initiating movement, the 'natural trigger' helps open up and clear the critical pathways for one's 'internal tracking brain satellites', 'hitter's vision', and 'processing information' to work best -- and 'nail RPT-IOPR! (a 'timing window of preliminary movement' -- 'slightly before' RPT-IOPR...and 'learn' how to 'comfortably' -- and subconsciously -- 'adjust accordingly' that starting time! (start and finish the stride and other preliminary movements soon enough -- within a 'time window', and without thinking about it -- so you can 'slow the pitch down', and have time to get to the right contact point) -- not just timing the pitch but timing the pitcher's release action, as called for by pitcher to pitcher differences.
20. The hitter can't have TOTAL ball awareness and ANY body awareness at the same time.
21. The hitter can't consciously adjust their game swing mechanics without 'self-distracting'.
22. Changing your stance can have the effect of -- because of any 'new' movements created and allowed -- creating game swing 'mechanical adjustments' without self-distracting.
23. It's not how you start (stance) that matters, but how you move and where you move to -- and when -- after starting...(and the coordination of stride forward, hands back -- and appropriately with the pitcher...'in sync physically' -- with oneself and the pitcher).
24. Muscle memory is dependent on 'open skill' vs. 'closed skill', and on game vs. non-game -- context matters (and hitting is the ultimate 'open skill' -- where the critical issues and 'environment' are 'dynamic' -- constantly changing and different -- and the hitter is 'not in control of what will happen next')...thus, it's very hard -- to impossible -- to change game muscle memory by repeating non-game actions...(muscle memory vs. innate actions?).
25. The non-thinking elements and 'internal radar timing and tracking' of RPT have 2 basic functions: swing or take (a reactive decision), and "find the ball with your bat".
26. Recognizing pitches early doesn't mean 'knowing what's coming' or 'looking for' or 'expecting' or 'sitting on' pitches...TRUST and MASTER your internal radar tracking of the RPT System!!! to 'process information' ('hitting vision')...'being patient' and 'being disciplined' can also be misleading terms -- it's about recognizing pitches, 'knowing your strike zone' and having an appropriate S2ST...('selective'?...'decision'/'split-second decision'?)...also, a hitter can often 'act as if' they knew what was coming or as if they guessed right or expected something, simply by optimizing their internal tracking RPT System on that pitch -- or can give an appearance of guessing wrong by actually simply not seeing and 'processing' that pitch well...and when looking for a particular pitch -- or for a pitch location -- is referred to, what 'level of thought' is meant? ('back of your mind'?...semi-conscious?...'power of suggestion'?)...this can be a complicated 'place to go'...and again -- it's all about dealing with ('processing and transferring' and making the most of) what one gets from the pitcher...and again -- the 'unconscious brain' just 'looking for the ball', also can be called "always looking for any good pitch to hit".
27. Be able to 'think out of the box' about what happens 'in the box'.
28. 'RPT'...includes that the hitter has to get their BRAIN to the 'right place' at the 'right time' -- TOTAL FOCUS on the ball at the split second before release of the ball (RPT-IOPR).
29. Give yourself the opportunity to 'get past' some hitting ideas -- to seek out and question and rethink elements in hitting...and attempt to separate truth from apparent truth, regardless of what 'conventional/mainstream thinking' is focused on, and what it has as accepted 'practices and methods'...beware of contradictions, inconsistencies, distortions, misconceptions, faulty correlations and conclusions, and 'reasoning with an agenda' (cognitive bias).
30. ANY thoughts by the hitter at the critical split second when hitting (directly around release of the pitch) are 'self-distractive' and thus self-destructive (and if you really believe that you can get away with any of these thoughts, you might have to add 'self-deceptive').
31. Be committed to and trust the swing you can 'remember', repeat, and 'context transfer into' best -- your natural/innate swing.
32. "HUNT DOWN and ATTACK the pitched ball!"...don't let hitting be too much about swing mechanics and strategy/'managing' at bats, where even sound ideas and well intentioned efforts can too easily become counter-productive.
33. Instead of trying to 'get your swing back', think about "getting back to your game 'locked-in' focus/groove".
34. For the most part, there are real differences in ideas -- (and understanding?) -- of the 'true essence' of hitting...with what is "the 'heart' of the hitting universe" -- with what 'comes first' -- with why 'hitting things' happen and don't happen as they do...this also leads to questions as to whether hitting is really well suited to being nearly as proactive and 'calculating' -- and 'explainable' (nowhere near 'an exact science') -- as so much of 'popular/mainstream thinking' seems to want to treat it...the randomness factor is significant and critical -- and totally underplayed...the correlation challenges are also significant and critical...and there are so many -- and often complex -- variables...we might be better off seeking different KINDS of -- even 'atypical' -- answers...is there way too much concern with 'mechanical action', rather than with 'processing information out of the pitcher's hand and transferring that'?
35. If you are trying to make necessary mechanical changes and adjustments, stay consistent with one's natural movements and tendencies, and with RPT principles...in particular, include the 'context' of 'some kind of pitched ball' and 'running to 1st'...encourage and attempt to develop a 'natural swing' to sufficiently approximate an 'innate swing' ("'access' a hitter's nature"..."'adjust the way you treat mechanics' to best suit the individual"?...find the 'special connection' of sound principles and one's own 'natural self').
36. Hitting very much involves being 'appropriately early' and 'appropriately late'...appropriately "hitting the ball out front" and appropriately "letting the ball get deep"...getting started early, but not 'committing' until 'late'...the ability to 'swing with no pause/wait' and also to 'swing with some pause/wait' -- 'at the same time' (all after the stride -- STST) -- without changing/losing swing momentum, power, and weight shift.
37. In hitting and in many things, oftentimes 'less is more' and 'more is less'...'diminishing returns'?
38. The variables, complexities, and challenges in hitting bring -- in effect -- a 'margin-of-error-in-the -vicinity precision gap'...where misses and particularly 'just misses' -- even when the hitter in effect 'does everything right' -- are frequent and random ('just misses' can be great swings and 'on time' but 'mis-connected' to the wrong part -- top or bottom rather than middle -- of the ball, and 'mistiming' by .01's of seconds is humanly unable to avoid)...hitters need to put themselves in the best possible position -- narrowing their vicinity and increasingly getting there -- to be 'randomly precise'...(Is there also a 'margin of error precision gap' -- a MOEPG -- for RPT-IOPR? -- for "getting your brain to the right place and time"?...a large or small margin of error for 'staying within the precision gap'?)
39. Working to develop a 'launch angle' swing is questionable - a dangerous way to go...accepting a natural swing that fits 'launch angle' concepts -- with its pluses and minuses -- is reasonable.
40. Hitting 'slumps', which every hitter experiences and struggles with -- to some extent and duration and cause -- have some version of 'distracted/unfocused hitting' as a primary cause and then existing as a chronic issue...minimize the inevitable 'slumps' (periods of extended, random lack of success?) by consistently prioritizing focusing on reacting to the pitched ball (trust and maximize your 'satellite activity' and 'satellite efficiency')...resist focusing your efforts on the swing...and be mindful of trying 'physical adjustments' -- that can easily make things worse.
41. Trusting and depending on your reactive 'pitch recognition and decision making' process of RPT -- rather than on "knowing what pitch is coming" and becoming dependent on that -- will lead to mastering your internal radar and tracking RPT, ('taking in/accumulating input' for processing?) as opposed to allowing that dependence to be an obstacle to the performance and overall development of RPT 'timing and tracking' and processing of information out of the pitcher's hand...Is it good for the hitter to want to know -- and actually know -- what pitch is coming, or not?...THIS IS NOT NEARLY AS OBVIOUS AS IT MAY SOUND!...A hitter is 'in a whole different place' when they know what's coming -- and there are repercussions (like swinging at a tough breaking pitch that the hitter was expecting that would be better off being taken)...Is a hitter 'playing with' their delicate internal system and 'playing with fire'?...short term vs. long term?...It's complicated!...
42. The top hand coming off the bat ('releasing') after contact ('1-hand finish') is very common and very controversial ('top-hand' action overall is subtle and controversial)...timing and manner of release with the top hand (with strong 'top hand extension-to-flexion' and allowing 'lead-arm/bottom-hand arm extension' in the follow-through...often/best happens as part of dropping the bat when 'starting to run') -- and degree of doing it without thinking (either trying to 'let go' or trying to 'hang on' longer will always be a problem) -- play a critical role in whether or not this is a positive action...it can have a very positive impact in many critical areas, especially for 'head still' into the follow-through (including on 'swing-and-misses') and controlling/limiting hands 'rolling over' around contact -- with bottom hand 'wrist flexion-to-extension' instead of 'supination-to-pronation', and top hand wrist 'extension-to-flexion' vs 'pronation-to-supination' (Ted Williams' 'contact like swinging an axe'...also to be considered are options of 'radial and ulnar flexion') -- and with the overall development of the swing (it's easy to have 'not-great' hands through the ball with a two-hand follow-through), such as 'finishing the swing' without 'pulling the head' (it can also work the other way -- having a 'still head' can encourage 'releasing the top hand') or 'rolling over'...having 'lead-arm extension' "frees up and 'syncs' the body" in many ways...and can allow 'staying on the ball longer' -- especially for lefties (can be a 'hitting cure-all'?...therapeutic?...'unlocks' things that are 'locked in' the wrong way and never changed, that can then be adjusted?)
43. Direction of the stride is critical...striding straight or 'in' is fine, but 'opening up' with the stride -- is a problem (particularly from 'closed to open'...and especially for a lefty)...thus an exaggerated open stance and striding in can be beneficial, while a closed stance and striding away to 'open' causes problems ('in the bucket'), with the lower body and upper body potentially 'going in opposite directions'.
44. There is ALWAYS the entire issue of 'game success' for everyone to deal with and sort out -- of what 'success' is and where it's coming from...where 'good contact' results too often in an out, and 'poor contact' results too often in a hit...and where 'random placement' of balls put in play, in opponents defensive plays, and in umpire's ball/strike calls -- determine so much...and where the 'precision gap' and 'random precision' play out with their short-term issues...and there are not-in-play foul balls -- particularly foul-tips and foul-backs -- vs. in-play weak but better contact -- particularly pop-ups and weak ground balls -- for outs...and where there are regular, random occurrences of 'very hittable pitches' vs. 'unhittable strikes' (and how subtle are the differences?), and pitches that are hard to not swing at that are even out of the strike zone...'how much' can you accept 'how much' randomness in hitting?...(randomness vs. 'a part of some plan or structure'? -- "the serenity to accept the things you can't change, the courage/(and ability?) to change the things you can, and THE WISDOM TO KNOW THE DIFFERENCE"?)...and can you understand 'maximizing random precision'? -- 'improving your chances of being lucky'?..the best thing a hitter can 'figure out' is that they're "doing nothing 'wrong'"...(also to be factored in on the pitcher's side are the many 'bad' pitches that the pitcher 'gets away with' -- and how subtle are the differences between 'good pitches and bad pitches'?)... with hitting, it's particularly hard to tell the difference between "not doing well" and "not being good enough"...how do we explain/deal with hitting's random happenings/events?...it's complicated!...
45. Assessing the actual growth and development of a particular hitter is always tricky...dedicated (and visible) practice efforts vs. natural developments of innate (and 'not visible') abilities...'nurture' and hard work or 'nature' and experience?...It's complicated!...
46. Each hitter has their own levels of discipline, 'hitting focus', 'timing and tracking', and 'processing information' abilities that is possible for them...what are the implications for when their levels -- and ability to develop them -- aren't 'good enough'? (by nature, not 'good enough' at the whole process of "processing information out of the pitcher's hand" -- 'missing a satellite'?...'satellite deficiency'?)...or their willingness or ability to 'trust their satellites' isn't there...short-term hitting approaches may then become more appropriate and commonplace, particularly involving expecting and knowing pitches (also more understandable for any hitter in certain 'special situations' -- like when a pitcher has an 'unhittable' assortment with 'devastating' options...or situations that might bring 'specific swing efforts' -- to 'pull' or to 'go the other way'...and all this brings a whole different 'hitting dynamic'... and it can't be easily switched back and forth to and maintained...)
47. Understanding what hitters 'should do' does not 'transfer' well to getting hitters to do those things -- if they don't do them naturally (beware "the whole is 'greater than/totally different from' the sum of its parts"?)...hitters can't really do much about 'doing what they're supposed to do' by 'knowing and trying'...watching video is more important for reference and understanding than for trying to copy, create, recreate, etc.
48. Avoiding 'distracted/unfocused hitting' is all about effectively 'resetting your brain' and 'blocking new input' for each pitch...avoiding 'multitask hitting'...properly managing the inevitable 'human stuff' -- hitting and non-hitting -- that our brains take in...including all otherwise intelligent hitting thoughts.
49. Hard work -- and practice -- are incredibly wonderful things and attributes! But in hitting, it all takes a back seat to 'the natural' in someone (having 'the hitting gene'?...or at least enough of it?) -- and to 'the natural' in all!...and to TRUSTING YOURSELF!...a 'natural hitter' is one who seems to be highly successful with little or no 'extra effort'('managed vs care-free' at bats?)...but every hitter can hit 'naturally'...'find a balance' -- and find that TRUST!...STAY OUT OF THEIR/YOUR OWN WAY! ('prime directive'?)
50. A 'hitter's creed...don't get cheated...take every swing as if the pitch will be a pitcher's mistake, and 'trust yourself' to do the best you can if it isn't...don't get caught 'being defensive' when the pitcher makes a mistake.
51. Hitting is very much vulnerable to 'the placebo effect' -- 'if you think it will help, then it will help'...also to 'self-fulfilling prophecies', where you can easily 'talk yourself into failing'...because success has such a 'random element', with extreme correlation challenges and the issues of 'hittable pitches occurence' and ball/strike calls -- and where belief and confidence can play such an important role in performance...clearing the brain for maximizing precision at RPT-IOPR...it makes it hard to know where 'hitting success' is coming from -- even for the hitter's themselves...and very easy for 'hitting things' to be 'seen differently' by anyone.
52. There is unquestionably plenty of room for hitting to be different things to different people...but in what ways, to what extent, and what are the ramifications?...and with all of -- and increasingly so -- the 'assorted information and analytics' out there, "what are you doing with that info and where is it taking you?"
53. Attacking a hitter's weaknesses -- and the aim and value of any pitching or hitting 'game plan' in general -- can rarely be clear-cut, to be determined by and depending on the many variables and randomness -- especially involving pitch selections, combinations, and results...basically, every hitter -- and player -- has the same weakness and tendencies -- being human.
54. Hitting off pitching machines -- and even all batting cage hitting, 'normal' batting practice and hitting drills -- can bring many serious concerns as well as countless, invaluable positive opportunities...the whole issue of 'out of context hitting' without the 'running to 1st part' is 'front and center', but can be mitigated and doesn't have to be a problem -- but can be...and the issue of "processing information out of the pitcher's hand" ('satellite activity' without a 'normal pitcher's hand'?) becomes a world and problem all to itself and again, doesn't have to be a problem -- but can be...it really is complicated -- and these issues shouldn't just be ignored and dismissed 'out of hand'...
55. For the most part, pitch-to-pitch swing differences/changes happen as part of a reaction to a pitch -- rather than as a pre-determined/conscious effort, or to a situation or to a 'mechanics failure' (a sudden 'muscle memory breakdown'?)..."the best way to 'swing good' is to 'see the ball good'"...
56. There is a subtle difference between 'trying to pull the ball' and 'having a pull swing'...it can be easy for some swings to result in pulls that don't have to...some hitter's are 'locked in' with their swing, without much ability to 'let the ball get deep', resulting too often in weak contact...many hitters can often avoid pulling and weak contact by having that subtle mindset of 'waiting' and 'letting the ball get deep', without self-distracting.
57. The ideas here are based on the hitter's critically minimal reaction time ('high speed hitting'?)...what about when pitching speeds and thus hitter's reaction times are correspondingly less and more -- giving the hitter more time -- and thus putting the hitter outside of that 'split-second threshold' (RPT-SST)?...that certainly presents a different dynamic...'life in hitting pre-RPT-SST' -- likely for a hitter starting out and growing up -- or potentially 'in and out of the RPT-SST' at any higher level...this is a complicated dynamic that plays a major role in a hitter's development and in understanding short-term success and short-term lack of success at any level...hitters having more time -- and what they then can 'get away with' -- will be how RPT-IOPR and the RPT-SST play out in hitting at any level.
58. What is the meaning and value of hitting ideas that are 'fruit of the poisonous hitting tree'?...that have elements against the 'prime directive'?...ideas that 'start with the earth rather than the sun at the center of the solar system'?...ideas that start with 'an essentially flawed understanding of hitting's essence'?...of the 'heart of hitting'?
59. There is usually 'a place in everything' for 'good thinking'...and part of 'good thinking' is knowing 'when to think and when not to think'...when and how to leave things to 'trusting and reacting'.
60. Hitting can be broken down into 'swing issues' and 'vision/satellite issues'...'swing issue problems' are 'easier' to overcome than 'satellite issue problems'...exceptional 'satellite activity' can overcome 'swing issue problems'...'swing issues' and 'satellite issues' can affect each other...ideal 'swing activity' can improve 'satellite activity'...ideal 'satellite activity' can improve 'swing activity'...'satellite activity' RULES!...hitters commonly have 'all the right movements' -- but are 'out of sync' with them...and it all plays in to 'satellite activity' along the way.
61. Hitter's have to be able to 'adjust their timing dial' -- before each pitch and without thinking specifically about any situation in particular...to try to maintain their 'built-in' S2ST.
62. The continued and growing use of and dependence on "analytics" (the 'quants'?) to 'define' hitting, limits things and makes it increasingly difficult to 'define', 'see', and understand 'what's really going on' with hitting...(as in many things... but it's not the 'idea' of measuring things that is a problem -- it's the things that are chosen to measure...)
63. Once again -- the issues, questions, and 'answers' in hitting really are complicated!...and my best 'answers' start by "'placing' the hitter reacting to the game pitched ball at the 'heart' of the hitting 'universe'", and by understanding the hitter's need "to process information out of the pitcher's hand and transfer that to mechanical action"...and by being aware of, understanding, and addressing 'distracted/unfocused hitting' and 'out-of-context hitting'...and always dealing with these areas as they are appropriately involved within the RPT System -- and within 'the nature of the game'...hitting can have a 'different consciousness' (a 'hitting counterculture'?)...and "the 'hitting revolution' will not be televised"...
64. The issue of TIME can't be emphasized enough as it relates to 'timing', especially at higher levels and high speeds -- we're talking about tenths, hundreds thousandths (milliseconds), millionths (microseconds), and billionths (nanoseconds) of seconds -- and how time effects and determines everything... particularly in what a person can do naturally and can and can't do by 'trying'.
65. 'Hitting in games' vs. "hitting 'outside' of games" in ALL the various forms (including 'Home Run Derby') -- is TOTALLY DIFFERENT...and this is completely not understood and not addressed (and not believed -- mostly because of 'tradition' and/or convenience?)...the lack of 'interest in, understanding of', and actual 'application/practice of' the essence of hitting is 'telling'.
66. For the most part, hitting is not 'short-term-figure-out-able'...if you think you've figured out something significant -- well, you haven't -- and you should get tired thinking like that -- over and over, again and again, etc. (and to get anywhere -- you'll have to be 'willing and able' to productively 'go to special places...' -- like 'down the rabbit hole?).
67. You don't hear people saying, "Hitting is not rocket science."
68. So much a part of hitting is 'thinking that you've found an answer' -- 'wishful thinking'.
69. A 'critical time' is from the release of the pitch to the point of ideal contact time -- PR2ICT (around .42-.52 sec.)...the pitcher wants to vary it -- speed, movement, & location -- to challenge the hitter to 'time it'...i.e. RPT.
70. "Do what the ball tells you to do"..."listen only to the ball" (i.e. the 'game-pitched-ball')
71. Combat 'hitting pollution'.
72. Get to the heart of 'The Hitting-Serenity Prayer'...and embrace 'the wisdom'...
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