Choking-up on the bat.....

by deadcatbounce on Mar 9, 2008 7:29 PM CDT Comment 31 comments

Does anyone choke-up on the bat anymore? Doesn't it make sense for certain players with foot-speed to choke-up on the bat, and just try to make contact?

Cubbie players that I believe could benefit from this concept are: Theriot, Pie, E. Pat, and Fuld. In my opinion, these guys could make a bunt attempt once or twice a game as well.

Honesty compels me to say, that I'm typing this with one finger on each hand, and I'm obviously old-school,.... and old.....and I love pitching and defense.

But I'm just wondering, what's wrong with choking-up on the bat?

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of SB Nation or Al Yellon, managing editor (unless it's a FanPost posted by Al). FanPost opinions are valued expressions of opinion by passionate and knowledgeable baseball fans.

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I ain't cool...

...to choke up on the bat anymore. These guys would rather go down swinging than choke up an inch and be in better position to put the ball in play.

"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel

by MPH73 on Mar 9, 2008 7:30 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I know you're right,

but I just don't understand their logic.

Hey Lou, we're long overdue.

by deadcatbounce on Mar 9, 2008 9:36 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Its funny

I never thought of it, but with Theriot in the lineup all the time IE hes a starter I wonder how successful he would be bunting once a game.

Hmm......

"Hey.....Cubs win!!!" ---Harry "I strongly dislike Steve Stone." ---Hammer

by Hammer on Mar 9, 2008 7:43 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Hey I love the old school ball too...

and Im only 20.... But nowadays its all about style. The guys coming up now care all about style. Its about the sunglasses you wear and the wristbands and what not.

Like MPH said they would rather go down swinging and taking a homerun cut then choke up.

by dus22 on Mar 9, 2008 8:39 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Remember that bats are smaller now.

In the '70s and '80s most players used 34-35 oz bats. Now, most players (other than Sori) use 31-32 oz. They also have the handles tailor-made for their grip. Choking up changes the grip, and the bats aren't really that heavy. What needs to change is the mentality of little guys swinging for the fences.

"I've never complained about it. I'm thankful to have a jersey." Mark DeRosa, 22 Aug 2007

by DeRoMyHero on Mar 9, 2008 8:41 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Good point.....

The lighter bats are probably a significant factor. I sure would like to see the mentality of the little guys change as you suggest.

Hey Lou, we're long overdue.

by deadcatbounce on Mar 9, 2008 9:42 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

The bats are lighter...

...but that doesn't change the fact that choking an inch gives you better physical control and also a mental edge.

Its also one of the main reasons you see so many broken bats, compared to years ago.

"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel

by MPH73 on Mar 9, 2008 10:55 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Not sure about a mental edge

something gives you a mental edge only if it has worked for you in the past. Remember that these guys all grew up playing with metal bats, which are so light that you don't need to choke up. Combined with the fact that the wooden bats are lighter, I think choking up is a thing of the past.

Prince Fielder a vegetarian? Run, carrots, run for your lives!

by TC Cubby on Mar 10, 2008 6:04 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I don't know how much ball you played...

...but when you choke up on the bat (either metal or wood) it gives you a distinct feel of having greater control of it.

When I played in college, It was before the aluminum bats really got good (25 years ago). I used a 35 inch, 32 ounce Easton model which is probably heavier than most of the wood bats today. I always choked up a bit with 2 strikes, and it definately gave me a feeling of greater control and the ability to wait a tad longer on the pitch.

"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel

by MPH73 on Mar 10, 2008 9:25 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

32oz eh?

You're probably stronger up top than me. I had to drop to 29oz in college on a 34" and the only way at that time to get the spread between length and weight was a custom make.

I couldn't believe the difference in getting around on pitches between the 32 and 29oz.

by blackhawk24 on Mar 11, 2008 8:41 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

In hindsight...

...I probably used too big a bat in college. I was strong enough (6'2", 205), but my arms are longer, which meant I really could have gotten away with a 34' bat with no problem.

When you are young, it's a macho thing, but it's bat speed that really makes the ball jump, not the size of the bat.

"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel

by MPH73 on Mar 11, 2008 9:06 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

It helps me mentally.

With two strikes I always choke up on the bat and just try to make contact, and I feel like I'll not go down swinging.

by GreatIn2008 on Mar 9, 2008 9:33 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I know

one, true to the game, old-school soul who always choked up on the bat and never cared about hitting homeruns:

"I've always felt that starting pitching is the most important part of the rotation." - Joe Morgan, Sunday Night Baseball 8-12-07

by gary varsho on Mar 9, 2008 9:42 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Yikes!!!!

n/t

Hey Lou, we're long overdue.

by deadcatbounce on Mar 10, 2008 12:39 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Eckstein

chokes up on the bat. I've seen one or two others, but he (and Bonds) are the only names I can think of offhand.

by helen on Mar 10, 2008 1:00 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

my favorite choke-upper was...

...Eddie Brinkman, shortstop for the Tigers many moons ago. I don't think he waited for two strikes - he choked up all the time. And we're talking some serious choke too. I might be exaggerating due to it being so long ago, but IIRC, it was a good 4-5 inches. I always wondering if he would impale himself in the gut with the knob end as he swung.

I think Freddie Patek was another big-time choke-upper.

Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."

by ballhawk on Mar 10, 2008 10:33 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

How about Ron Hunt...

...he choked up literally half way up the bat, and stood right on top of the plate. I think he has the career numbers of being plunked before someone recently broke it.

"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel

by MPH73 on Mar 10, 2008 10:39 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

He did.

At least the post-1900 record; it was broken by Don Baylor, and then that was broken by Craig Biggio.

Jason Kendall, FWIW, is 7th on the list.

Here's the complete list.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Mar 10, 2008 11:00 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Most of these guys...

...stood right on top of the plate, and I think you may see Fukudome (who stands close to plate) get plunked quite a bit this year.

Pitchers will go right after him and try him to back off, and I think he will handle it quite well.

"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel

by MPH73 on Mar 10, 2008 11:06 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

In Japan...

... Fukudome was hit 34 times in his career, never more than six in a season. But maybe they don't throw inside as much over there.

Fukudome career stats

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Mar 10, 2008 11:08 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Being new to the league...

...I think the pitchers are going to try and back him off the plate and establish that the plate is theirs, not his. In Japan, I am sure he was a highly respected player who earned his position, and it is true they don't pitch inside quite as much.

How he handles the inside stuff could very well define his season. If he shows he can turn on the ones that catch the plate, he will really set himself up nicely.

"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel

by MPH73 on Mar 10, 2008 11:16 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

That Ron Hunt

was a dandy......He was very tough to strike out with that short compact swing.

Hey Lou, we're long overdue.

by deadcatbounce on Mar 10, 2008 11:42 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

On the other hand...

I recall Keith Moreland (ahh, memories of the strange old days) standing so far off the plate he was literally giving away the outside half.

by MN exile on Mar 10, 2008 12:59 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Just like Sosa...

after he returned from the helmet shattering he received from Torres.

As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.

by santoswoodenlegs on Mar 10, 2008 1:02 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

All depends on a hitter's strength...

...as to where they stand in the box.

As a general rule, power hitters stand away from the plate some, so they can assure they get their arms extended when they swing. There are exceptions to this (Bonds for one), but he used a very short bat and choked up on it as well.

For the most part, your high average guys stand a little closer to the plate to get better plate coverage, and reduce any big holes in their swing. They may not get extended as often, but they tend to manipulate the bat with their hands more (high average guys are usually good inside out swingers), to hit the ball hard somewhere.

Its really a fun thing to watch with hitters and how they try to adjust during the season when pitchers pound them a certain way.

"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel

by MPH73 on Mar 10, 2008 1:13 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

How 'bout Felix Milian?

Think he choked up nearly 4".

by blackhawk24 on Mar 11, 2008 8:42 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

one philosophy

i played a little college ball, and we had some smaller players who would use a 33-34 inch bat. they would choke up so they were essentially using a 32 inch bat. this gave them a longer barrell than a standard 32 inch would have. combine a larger hitting surface with short/quick swings, and these guys could rip line drives all over the field.

by bg4300 on Mar 10, 2008 11:10 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs