People of the Second Chance

DAVID ORTIZ AND THE SCIENCE OF HOME RUNS

View Comments | July 13th, 2010 7:14:32 am

It was awesome watching David Ortiz win the Home Run Derby yesterday! It was a great comeback for a Hall of Fame player who recently couldn’t hit the ball.

(WARNING: Here comes a sports metaphor.)

So I learned something yesterday about the “science” of home runs.

The distance the baseball travels has a lot more to do with the BAT SPEED than the BALL SPEED.

In fact, swinging the bat just a little bit faster can impact distance ALOT! It’s the difference between a routine pop fly or cranking one out of the park.

Life throws fastballs, curve balls, and change ups. How fast these things come at you is NOT the issue.

SUCCESS IS ALL ABOUT HOW YOU RESPOND TO WHATEVER YOU FACE!

Both in baseball and in life, David Ortiz clearly understands this principle.

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View Comments to “DAVID ORTIZ AND THE SCIENCE OF HOME RUNS”

You weren't kidding about that metaphor. Your post was a home run.

Posted by: mohan37 // July 13th, 2010 at 8:23 am>

Mike, it also pays to consider the Paradox of the Home Run Derby.

On the one hand, we learn that swinging the bat just a little harder makes an exponential difference.

On the other had, we also learn that changing our swing for one-time (and maybe contrived?) situations can damage us for the long haul. Check out this SI article by Tim Marchman called “Exploring the Impact of the Home Run Derby on Its Participants” – http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/writers/t....

It took Big Papi almost all the first half of the season to groove his swing in order to be helpful to his team. Now, chances are that he'll regress. Says something to us about what we choose to swing at, and when, and toward what end.

Posted by: Brucecole1 // July 13th, 2010 at 8:44 am>

great thought bruce. so true.

Posted by: mike foster // July 13th, 2010 at 11:32 am>

Thank goodness that is the case that bat speed means more then ball speed, because slow pitch softball would not be nearly as fun.

Posted by: @kylelreed // July 16th, 2010 at 9:45 am>

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