But batters who claim the ball seems to make a sharp bend away from the bat as they swing, as if wood repelled leather, are somewhat the victims of an illusion. To add to a batter's dilemma, a good pitcher develops a variety of curving pitches, each with a descriptive name. The ball arrives lower and farther away than it would if it had been thrown in a straight path. A ball travels from the pitcher to the catcher in about half a second. In order to hit the ball the batter must be swinging before the ball arrives.
Batting is considered the most difficult task in sports.
And on the mound is the task master, the pitcher, who is often likened to an artist with a palette of choices. Inc. All Rights Reserved.