How much do you think modern swing mechanics plays a role in the effectiveness of the high fastball? Seems like a swing geared towards elevating the ball would have a weakness against high fastballs... More important than just throwing fastballs high is changing the eye level of the batter, throwing it at the top or bottom of the zone. Keeping a hitter off balance and avoiding the middle of the plate...
Sure, it's not as simple as just throwing it high. To your other comment's point, a hanging breaking ball has a good shot to get crushed, but it's simple physics with a fastball. Put it down in the zone and there's a good chance to launch. 100 at the knees looks pretty when the batter watches it go by, but getting the arms extended could have bad consequences on that. Keep that fastball chest level with two strikes a little more and I think they'd see a nice little bump.
Just to add to that thought, pretty much all other secondary offerings are far more effective low in the zone, changeups, curveballs, sliders.... nothing easier to hit than a high hanging curveball or changeup. The fastball is the only pitch you can get away with throwing high in the zone.
In the past I have been frustrated that umpires do not call the high strike. Is there any evidence that has changed in recent years? This is my main argument for robot umpires. Aaron Judge's strike zone should be much different than Nicky Lopez zone.
How much do you think modern swing mechanics plays a role in the effectiveness of the high fastball? Seems like a swing geared towards elevating the ball would have a weakness against high fastballs... More important than just throwing fastballs high is changing the eye level of the batter, throwing it at the top or bottom of the zone. Keeping a hitter off balance and avoiding the middle of the plate...
Sure, it's not as simple as just throwing it high. To your other comment's point, a hanging breaking ball has a good shot to get crushed, but it's simple physics with a fastball. Put it down in the zone and there's a good chance to launch. 100 at the knees looks pretty when the batter watches it go by, but getting the arms extended could have bad consequences on that. Keep that fastball chest level with two strikes a little more and I think they'd see a nice little bump.
Just to add to that thought, pretty much all other secondary offerings are far more effective low in the zone, changeups, curveballs, sliders.... nothing easier to hit than a high hanging curveball or changeup. The fastball is the only pitch you can get away with throwing high in the zone.
In the past I have been frustrated that umpires do not call the high strike. Is there any evidence that has changed in recent years? This is my main argument for robot umpires. Aaron Judge's strike zone should be much different than Nicky Lopez zone.