How DO you hit Wakefield?

[Jagwar]

What are the keys to hitting off of Wakefield?

Here are a few guesses on my part.

1. Take the first pitch, always.

2. Try to hit the ball hard back through the middle, or to the opposite field.

3. Don't overswing

What else?

[TyCobb]

What are the keys to hitting off of Wakefield?

Here are a few guesses on my part.

1. Take the first pitch, always.

2. Try to hit the ball hard back through the middle, or to the opposite field.

3. Don't overswing

What else?

"If its high let it fly. If it is low let it go."

[Jagwar]

I would think you would want to not be aggressive, and not try to hit the ball out of the park. Just try to get a good swing and hit a line drive.

[TyCobb]

I would think you would want to not be aggressive, and not try to hit the ball out of the park. Just try to get a good swing and hit a line drive.

You could say that for every single pitcher.

[NewMarketSean]

I experimented with the knuckle ball in college. Let's just say hitting my knuckleball was never a problem for the other team.

[Jagwar]

You could say that for every single pitcher.

I know, but there is something about seeing a ball floating towards the plate that tempts you to swing as hard as you can, when what you really want to do is just make an easy swing.

I guess my point is that to hit Wakefield, hitters should look to go station to station with singles and doubles, and not try to hit the stuffing out of the ball

[TyCobb]

I know, but there is something about seeing a ball floating towards the plate that tempts you to swing as hard as you can, when what you really want to do is just make an easy swing.

I guess my point is that to hit Wakefield, hitters should look to go station to station with singles and doubles, and not try to hit the stuffing out of the ball

I don't think it is wise for the hitter to try and swing as hard as they can period. A good hitter will have complete control of his bat.

There is that simple rule when facing a knuckball pitcher "If it is high let it fly. If it is low let it go" When there is 2 strikes you are screwed.

[laxtonto]

What are the keys to hitting off of Wakefield?

Here are a few guesses on my part.

1. Take the first pitch, always.

2. Try to hit the ball hard back through the middle, or to the opposite field.

3. Don't overswing

What else?

Wiffelball bat? or maybe a tennis racket?

[Moose Milligan]

Step way up in the batters box and try to hit it before it breaks.

[Jagwar]

Wiffelball bat? or maybe a tennis racket?

Maybe one of those old Fat Albert wiffle bats :scratchchinhmm:

[OsEatAlEast]

Step way up in the batters box and try to hit it before it breaks.

Yes Moose, in my experience this is probably the best approach to hitting the knuckleball.

Funny though, I didn't see one Orioles hitter do that tonight. Wonder why? Are they trying to keep Wakefield from throwing that 74mph heater he throws once every 15 or so pitches by them?

[scOtt]

Yes Moose, in my experience this is probably the best approach to hitting the knuckleball.

Funny though, I didn't see one Orioles hitter do that tonight. Wonder why? Are they trying to keep Wakefield from throwing that 74mph heater he throws once every 15 or so pitches by them?

Crow shoulda been on that! Just sayin...

Another aside... I have a real good knuckler. Moves and everything. Never used it in a game, but I know I could...

Against Wakefield, you do all the above... move up, be patient... and hope he's not on! I see two Wakefields, after some unscientific study, the last coupla years. He is all or nothing. Usually more all, but he has plenty of off nights. If he's really dealing, you just can't hit him. Hell, worse than other pitchers shutting you down, Wakefield will do damage to the timing of several of your hitters.

If he's off, it's BP. LESS than BP, slo-pitch softball even.

[Moose Milligan]

Yes Moose, in my experience this is probably the best approach to hitting the knuckleball.

Funny though, I didn't see one Orioles hitter do that tonight. Wonder why? Are they trying to keep Wakefield from throwing that 74mph heater he throws once every 15 or so pitches by them?

I don't think I've seen ANYONE ever do that against Wakefield. IMO, it seems like the most logical, simple thing to do.

That 74 mph heater might catch someone offguard once, but there's no way he could sneak it past someone again, even if they're closer.

[TinCup]

I experimented with the knuckle ball in college. Let's just say hitting my knuckleball was never a problem for the other team.

Even as a young boy, when I threw a tennis ball against the wall of my parent's house, imagining I was Jim Palmer or Mike Boddicker or Storm Davis, etc., ALL of my 'pitches' were awesome, even the knuckler!

[The Wedge]

It becomes even more of an impossible mission when the ump declares the entire city and county of Baltimore as the strike zone.