The Art of Fighting Without Fighting

Is an improved launch angle a question of timing? This article about Eric Haase suggests it might have something to do with it:

At first glance, one might suppose that increasing the launch angle on batted balls requires a mere adjustment of bat path to eliminate a flat plane. However, for Haase, elevating the baseball was also about timing. Said Wallace: “We have always liked his swing mechanics, so there have not been concerns there. He has implemented a few different stance widths and leg kicks throughout the process, but the end goal has always been to improve his timing, strike-zone discipline, and approach. We knew whenever he starts to get in his launch position on time and consistently, the success will be there.” Indeed, Haase’s issue in creating loft consistently was not the path of the bat but rather the timing of contact in the bat path.

Interestingly, as far as Wallace was concerned, the goal for Haase was never specifically an improved launch angle. “I am not aware of any conversation from player development that addressed his launch angle,” said Wallace. “We’ve always known if he is on time and swings at pitches in his zone, the power/launch angle will be there.” It was Haase, on his own, who focused on the adjustments to launch angle while doing work with HitTrax in the offseason.

By focusing on narrowing a target swing zone and improved timing, Haase significantly improved his launch angle without having to undergo a massive mechanical overhaul. His case suggests that there are different ways to achieve launch-angle improvement.

Basically, Hasse greatly reduced the extremes away from his preferred launch angle. Maybe the key of batters is finding out in the data their optimal launch angle, then working on preventing the extremes. In other words, they might want to reduce the standard deviation around their preferred launch angle.

from baseballmusings.com http://ift.tt/2eZP3jB