Why is Nick choking up?

[Sports Guy]

He has been doing that for at least a week now.

He never choked up on the bat like he is now...As if he needed another reason to take power away from his hitting.

Does he feel he needs to just focus on making contact right now?

[sangar]

Without looking up numbers it seems like he has been doing better. Did he start this before or after his grand slam?

[El Gordo]

Maybe he noticed that since he started doing it he's hitting .357 .419 .536 .955.

[NCRaven]

Sorry, I misread the question. I thought it said "Why is Nick Choking?" I have no idea.

[gamer]

Choking up gives you better bat control, if you are in a slump like Nick is somewhat getting out of right now, it's not a bad idea at all. When he starts making hard contact more often maybe he will stop choking up, maybe he won't. Either way it shouldn't be a problem as far as power goes. I know Bonds cheated and was bigger than Nick, but he choked up a considerable amount I do believe.

[El Gordo]

Maybe he looked at videos of Barry Bonds and noticed he choked up as well. Seems Bonds didn't have much of a problem in the power dept., even witout 'roids.

[Moose Milligan]

Why not? If standing on his head meant he could hit .300 we should all be for it.

Worrying about choking up is pretty ridic. He needs something to get him going.

[DrungoHazewood]

Maybe he looked at videos of Barry Bonds and noticed he choked up as well. Seems Bonds didn't have much of a problem in the power dept., even witout 'roids.

Right. I was going to say that Bonds choked up when he hit 73 homers.

[Sports Guy]

Its a good point about Bonds but he is more of an exception than a rule.

Choking up does usually allow you to have better bat control and make more contact but making contact isn't Nick's issue. His contact rate is the highest of his career.

[CT203]

Someone can correct me if I am wrong.

Didn't Tony Gwynn also choke up? He wasn't too shabby.

[TradeAngelos]

Choking up is fine IF it is a situation where you just need to get the bat on the ball. I have never known a professional to do it on a regular basis. It will rob you of every bit of power you have and seriously limit what you can do with the bat.

I know it is a different sport, but if you ever asked a pro golfer if he choked up on the club for every shot he would laugh at you. That type of stuff is for amateurs not the best in the world.

[Flosman]

Choking up is fine IF it is a situation where you just need to get the bat on the ball. I have never known a professional to do it on a regular basis. It will rob you of every bit of power you have and seriously limit what you can do with the bat.

I know it is a different sport, but if you ever asked a pro golfer if he choked up on the club for every shot he would laugh at you. That type of stuff is for amateurs not the best in the world.

I think you ought to look at the 2 inches of grip above Rory's hands on a bunch of his swings.

[jamalshw]

I think you ought to look at the 2 inches of grip above Rory's hands on a bunch of his swings.

Good call.

Not to mention the examples of baseball players that did it that were provided prior to his post.

[Sports Guy]

Good call.

Not to mention the examples of baseball players that did it that were provided prior to his post.

If 10 people jump off of a bridge, 8 die and 2 survive, are you going to jump because 2 lived?

[TradeAngelos]

I think you ought to look at the 2 inches of grip above Rory's hands on a bunch of his swings.

Rory and no other professional choke up on a shot unless they absolutely need to. Are you claiming he goes through 70 shots in a round and they are all choked up on? Uh...no. I would be surprised if even 5% of the time he went into that mode. It is a very specific shot you need that setup for, and it is pretty rare.

Unless he wanted to keep the ball down out of the wind or was in between clubs it isn't happening. Maybe you should watch a little closer.

If Nick is choking up a lot of the time that is a sign of pure desperation IMO. And you better believe that what little power he had went right out the window with that approach.