Can an Average Guy Hit a 95 MPH Fastball? | Above Average Joe | GQ Sports

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  • Опубліковано 3 тра 2024
  • Clay Skipper is a fan of baseball, but gave it up at age 7 when the game changed from underhanded coach pitches to machine pitches. So this episode of Above Average Joe certainly presents a challenge for him. Can he hit a a 95 mile per hour fastball? With the help of professional baseball players David Peralta, Kole Calhoun, Luis Gonzalez, Willy Adames and more, Clay trains up to meet this challenge.
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  • @iRaphahell
    @iRaphahell 2 роки тому +3049

    Now imagine a 105 mph followed by a 80 mph changeup, baseball is actually way harder than it looks

    • @jarryd8167
      @jarryd8167 2 роки тому +169

      Only a few humans have ever actually accomplished throwing 105 that's so rare

    • @g.schmitz2367
      @g.schmitz2367 2 роки тому +137

      @@jarryd8167 yeah but 100 isnt

    • @bryancline8893
      @bryancline8893 2 роки тому +49

      When I played baseball my obp was almost 1000, but my batting average was probably just better than .010. I played little league and am a lefty. I got hit more than I hit the ball. I was legit bad but I even got intentionally walked a few times.

    • @Kiposlol
      @Kiposlol 2 роки тому +22

      @@g.schmitz2367 well its still uncommon 95+ is usually considered fast in the big leagues

    • @rockymountaintrout2689
      @rockymountaintrout2689 2 роки тому +60

      If they threw a 105 mph fastball there change up wouldn't be 80 mph

  • @EEZYEEEE
    @EEZYEEEE 3 роки тому +2501

    Now imagine being a 3rd baseman and trying to catch a line drive coming at you 110mph

    • @rienn8559
      @rienn8559 3 роки тому +67

      just try to avoid the ball if you can... oh my god I can't imagine

    • @kylerucinski9171
      @kylerucinski9171 3 роки тому +276

      @@rienn8559 you have to catch it

    • @kylerucinski9171
      @kylerucinski9171 3 роки тому +10

      Ik scary thought

    • @MadebyKourmoulis
      @MadebyKourmoulis 3 роки тому +154

      Some of the hardest hits I've seen went down 3rd. The usual reply to those are -i have no idea how I caught that I was just trying not to die.

    • @dudenotcool42
      @dudenotcool42 3 роки тому +120

      Years of baseball prepare them for it. Its just muscle memory and reaction at that point

  • @marissa6425
    @marissa6425 2 роки тому +345

    This video perfectly demonstrates one of the best parts of baseball/softball: the coaching. This captures why most players fall in love with the game, not just the love of playing but the love of every aspect: statistics, mechanics, strategy, coaching, etc. It is just so much fun to get lost in. Hats off to GQ and NY Empire.

    • @Landman1369
      @Landman1369 Рік тому +2

      You are absolutely right Marissa! Right as rain. LOVE OF THE GAME. 🇺🇸

  • @MTSGaming
    @MTSGaming 2 роки тому +77

    Why didn’t anyone address his footwork? Lol he’s doing an entire dance routine before each swing

    • @arthurkalb1817
      @arthurkalb1817 2 роки тому +4

      Oh yeah.

    • @TexanUSMC8089
      @TexanUSMC8089 2 роки тому +2

      It's real bad.

    • @scottmunson2917
      @scottmunson2917 2 роки тому

      That was the thing that leaped (you'll excuse the pun) out at me too. Such "happy feet". You have to be calm and composed up there to have any chance. I've never seen a professional player at any level do that kind of hardball mambo.

    • @scottmunson2917
      @scottmunson2917 2 роки тому

      This isn't to put him down at all. I was impressed by how well he did. It just seems such an obvious coaching point.

    • @Mellowyellow8888
      @Mellowyellow8888 2 роки тому

      i'm assuming theres some hand eye coordination issues also.. those don't get fixed overnight..

  • @flaminninja3368
    @flaminninja3368 3 роки тому +2624

    This is a lot more educational than I thought it would be

    • @cquick3277
      @cquick3277 3 роки тому +47

      Jesus Saves Love God✝️

    • @ignoranceisbliss27
      @ignoranceisbliss27 3 роки тому +21

      Take it with a few grains of salt, though... Right brain, left brain has been debunked for anything beyond right controls left and vice versa, not that nonsense about thinking in one side of the brain or the other 🙄 like, Jesus Christ, indeed, but for allll the wrong reasons

    • @paulnorton8483
      @paulnorton8483 3 роки тому +1

      Same

    • @matts9728
      @matts9728 3 роки тому +4

      Agreed, half way through I was like, "this is pretty good for GQ Sports"

    • @krispybakon6246
      @krispybakon6246 3 роки тому +1

      @@ignoranceisbliss27 what

  • @mcclurehopkins6149
    @mcclurehopkins6149 3 роки тому +3227

    This just shows baseball is harder than some people think. In school if you get 3 out of 10 on a test you failed but in baseball 3 out of 10 is a 300 batting average and your in the Hall of Fame.
    (Thanks for all the likes)

    • @l.u.a4501
      @l.u.a4501 3 роки тому +93

      Preach brother preach

    • @Jake0666
      @Jake0666 3 роки тому +142

      Ur not in the hall of fame with just a 300 batting average loo

    • @kotathechicken154
      @kotathechicken154 3 роки тому +78

      @@Jake0666 it’s not just about how often you get a hit because you can get lucky and hit the ball weakly and get a hit here and there. The best of the best are able to not only hit the ball consistently but hard as well.

    • @utl_sports4784
      @utl_sports4784 3 роки тому +28

      big facts. although not only is it waaaaay harder than most think its probably the hardest part of any sport to do

    • @dl2k671
      @dl2k671 3 роки тому +121

      @@Jake0666 if you play for 15 years and average a 300 average your up there

  • @BrianSniatkowski
    @BrianSniatkowski 3 роки тому +33

    I played baseball basically since I could walk. Played baseball through high school and was a decent hitter. I rarely struck out. Against average pitchers, I raked. Against good pitchers I made contact, but my hits were usually "Texas leaguers" and opposite field. My final HS season I had a .363 average. Not bad, but nowhere near greatness.
    In my 20's I switched to slow pitch softball and became pretty darn good at it. Fast forward to my early 30's and I was in the cages hitting softballs and decided to try the 90 mph baseball machine. 10 pitches and 10 swings and misses, where the ball was basically past me before I was through with my swing. I moved to the 70 mph machine and was raking the ball. Back to the 90 mph machine with new found confidence it was 9 swings and misses and one foul ball. I was overmatched. It ain't easy even with years of experience.

    • @JamieSlateMusic
      @JamieSlateMusic Рік тому +4

      Hey Brian. I remember when my baseball dream ended. HS. Road game. First pitch, when I finished my slide step, the mitt popped. Never saw the ball. Quick strike out. Next time up, just started swinging on the release. Had the timing down but never saw the ball. In total, this was years ago and I still remember. We had one infield pop up, two infield dribblers, the rest strike outs. And our team had some good hitters, too. We had set a state record at the time, most runs in an inning, most batters in an inning, most runs in a game. Same season. But that day? We were no hit, and only three outs were NOT strike outs. I remember the coach saying, when asked how fast the kid was throwing "some where in the 90's" and I remember thinking, I ain't going to make it to college ball. lol.
      Thanks for sharing mate. Have a good summer.

    • @pyrocrabb12
      @pyrocrabb12 Рік тому +2

      Same thing happened to me except i stopped playing at age 15, I had a batting cage in my back yard. During little league tryouts for the all star team the coach decided to pitch as fast as he could at the short distance to end the day. One by one the kids swung and missed every pitch, I got up there and had to start my swing before the ball left his hand, and I hit every pitch he threw. The whole park stopped to watch me. Unfortunately I was not aloud to play on Sundays so I didn't make the team. The next couple of years I hit well but quit as I got older.
      At age 18, I was travelling to a bowling tournament when we stopped off at an amusement park. My buddy on my team played fast pitch and wanted to try the baseball pitching machine, I laughed inside thinking "really? a bowling softball player trying a 90 mile an hour pitch?" He had been to the worlds in bowling and was too young to be a professional. Anyways, he steps up to the plate and rips it up! Hit after hit, he was making some solid connection. My turn comes up and I stroll up to the plate as confidant as a Barry Bonds on all the steroids... I take my first swing, and miss. Second swing, miss. First basket of balls, nothing. I pay for another round and still miss every single pitch. I walk off feeling dejected because I got beat by a bowler and one of the parents there asked if I had played baseball before, I looked at him and said "I thought I had" and walked away. I thought hitting was like riding a bike, apparently not haha.

  • @zacharyduncan6118
    @zacharyduncan6118 2 роки тому +35

    He regressed at the very end to exactly how he was swinging before all the coaching lol

    • @kentuckyfriedchildren5385
      @kentuckyfriedchildren5385 2 роки тому +6

      hard to break bad habits in a short amount of time even with coaching

    • @MrCveedub
      @MrCveedub 2 роки тому +6

      He certainly did, went right back to being a "gate". Focused more on trying to hit the ball and not on the swing.

  • @studlypear05
    @studlypear05 3 роки тому +1559

    When I was a kid, we didn't have the luxury of muscle activation training......dad put you in the batting cage and you just swing hundreds of times until you learned how to hit the ball. This video makes me feel like I learned sports in the stone age.

    • @nickthequick2011
      @nickthequick2011 2 роки тому +75

      yeah the only instruction i recieved was to not drop my shoulder

    • @KtangMC
      @KtangMC 2 роки тому +167

      “Just keep your eye on the ball!”

    • @sneakymilkman4203
      @sneakymilkman4203 2 роки тому +2

      Still how I do it lol

    • @ezracox1601
      @ezracox1601 2 роки тому +32

      thats how most peaple learn the place he was using was a state of the art facility

    • @StrideX21
      @StrideX21 2 роки тому +32

      That's why families that make more money tend to have kids that van be a little better at sports. I didn't have the luxury of having parents to take me to muscle activation training and pitching camps that costed 1000s of dollars. I'm right there with ya. I long tossed and kept my eye on the ball lmao

  • @jakeboyington
    @jakeboyington 3 роки тому +1171

    am i the only one who got an old spice ad with clay in it during the video???

    • @davidlara6721
      @davidlara6721 3 роки тому +32

      Bro same

    • @heatherpotts8281
      @heatherpotts8281 3 роки тому +33

      Same I was so confused

    • @Josh-go1yf
      @Josh-go1yf 3 роки тому +8

      Same

    • @w.filmer2348
      @w.filmer2348 3 роки тому +6

      Lmao yes I’m still confused hahaha

    • @sappy_boi
      @sappy_boi 3 роки тому +27

      This video must've been old spice sponsored. The duffle bag had the old spice logo, and he was using old spice deoderant.

  • @BlinkyB23
    @BlinkyB23 2 роки тому +43

    I'm a woman who's never played baseball in her life. I'm physically active but don't play a sport. These videos are so fascinating to me! I love the determination of the athletes, their discipline...And also seeing what a difference a great coach makes. Makes me want to pick something up where you get instruction - it seems like such a great way to learn so many diff lessons.

  • @brianricketts4320
    @brianricketts4320 3 роки тому

    Nice job. That was great. Appreciate adding all of the information about the mechanics of hitting. Very interesting.

  • @TT-pr9bx
    @TT-pr9bx 3 роки тому +841

    The batting coach has a phenomenal mentality. His words are applicable to more than just baseball.

    • @Bones12x2
      @Bones12x2 3 роки тому +52

      He's also insanely good at providing direct real time feedback that can be immediately applied and understood.

    • @notasian7620
      @notasian7620 2 роки тому +12

      Just imagine how much he charges per hour training though 😂

    • @madmadelo183
      @madmadelo183 2 роки тому +9

      Watch, Jake Paul will hire this guy to train him to hit and then call out all of the worst hitters in the MLB...👏🤣

    • @rolandfischer931
      @rolandfischer931 2 роки тому +17

      "focus on output, not outcome" is a huge life lesson for anyone who wants to really, actually accomplsh their dreams.

    • @leafsfan1122
      @leafsfan1122 2 роки тому +11

      It resonated with me as a poker player. The result of the hand isn't what you should be proud or upset about, but rather the thought process, the application of sound fundamentals, and the knowledge that you're making the right plays that will produce net gains in the long run.

  • @SynysterGoose
    @SynysterGoose 3 роки тому +832

    That swing screams "I play golf" lol

    • @NomaDL2224
      @NomaDL2224 3 роки тому +13

      I was thinking the same thing!! Lol 😂

    • @bridgelaurie9490
      @bridgelaurie9490 3 роки тому +60

      Dude his feet and finish swing were so bad in the beginning every time he was off balance after swinging and his feet dancing all over I died a little.

    • @pathurd9595
      @pathurd9595 3 роки тому +3

      @@bridgelaurie9490 I don’t play football and watching his little leg motion before the swing made me want to die

    • @mikeneuburger3989
      @mikeneuburger3989 3 роки тому +1

      Everything except for that left foot 😬

    • @mikeneuburger3989
      @mikeneuburger3989 3 роки тому

      @@pathurd9595 same

  • @602davido
    @602davido 2 роки тому +10

    Great to see Luis Gonzalez; will always be remembered here in Phoenix. I think more than other sports, baseball requires years of practice to acquire the necessary skills to play the game.

  • @gavinxdesign
    @gavinxdesign 2 роки тому +30

    You give a guy 25 pitches at 95 mph he’ll probably eventually catch up to it but to throw 95 then switch it up with a curve, change and slider there is no way an average person squares up a pitch. Good vid though

  • @editsbybrycet186
    @editsbybrycet186 3 роки тому +633

    “I’m using a machine so I’ll get all strikes.”
    Bruh that thing was throwing MLB sliders🤣

    • @troubledsole9104
      @troubledsole9104 3 роки тому +63

      I never had a machine throw all strikes.

    • @JCO
      @JCO 2 роки тому +2

      MLB pitchers can't hit the zone with sliders alla sudden?

    • @cliffsheets73
      @cliffsheets73 2 роки тому +2

      Does it all depend on where the threads are postitioned when the machine wheels makes contact?

    • @mdhj67
      @mdhj67 Рік тому +10

      Yep. Those spinning wheels don't do it on purpose but they can grab the laces in any number of ways. The affect on the ball is nothing like a good pitcher but it will still cause the spin on the ball to vary.

    • @berzerkbankie1342
      @berzerkbankie1342 Рік тому

      Mmmm sliders

  • @dronz3r51
    @dronz3r51 3 роки тому +1864

    I love how he gave up at age 7. He didn't even make it to kids pitching to him yet.
    Edit: Thank you so much for the likes

    • @tomvolz3760
      @tomvolz3760 3 роки тому +62

      I was terrified of facing other kids pitching, because I was kind of scared of getting hit. Still stuck it out, though.

    • @roccos9777
      @roccos9777 3 роки тому +8

      he said the machine pitched after coach pitch. when i was 7 we still had coach pitch for one last year

    • @sneakymilkman4203
      @sneakymilkman4203 3 роки тому +8

      I should’ve never dropped baseball. I’m in 9th grade and haven’t played for real in 3 years and now I don’t know what to do

    • @Laynemoyes
      @Laynemoyes 3 роки тому +22

      @@sneakymilkman4203 bro you gotta go out now because if you dont as a freshman its 10x harder to as a sophomore through senior because you arent in the program

    • @sneakymilkman4203
      @sneakymilkman4203 3 роки тому

      @@Laynemoyes I know and that’s why I’m screwed. I’m really good at track so I might just stick with it

  • @timothywilliams5812
    @timothywilliams5812 Рік тому +5

    I don't comment on youtube videos ever but I'll comment on this one, and I must say this is the best intentional coaching at it's best. Keep doing what you guys are doing. This is DOPE!!! You guys are awesome and deserve whatever you get out of the success you achieve. I'm glad I watched this video, you guys make me proud! Love yall!

  • @soapbox187
    @soapbox187 2 роки тому +9

    Great video.
    Definitely concrete testament to the difficulty of baseball.
    The time you make the decision to swing the ball is already above the plate also known as too late. What we fail to notice is that the swing begins even before we process the pitch. This is honed by experience of course but can be taught to a certain extent.
    Next time you see a phantom cam swing of a major leaguer pay attention to his eyes. His eyes are focused around 20 ft in front of the plate as his bat makes contact with the ball which tells us he is effectively swinging blind but it is the experience and the blazed neural pathways that allow the minds eye to see the ball 🙂
    Interesting stuff

  • @BuddyBrownMusic
    @BuddyBrownMusic 3 роки тому +1901

    Happy Gilmore accomplished that feat not less than an hour ago 🤣🤣🤣

  • @mikiex
    @mikiex 3 роки тому +121

    "Clay Skipper" is a baseball players name if ever I heard one.

  • @patdry
    @patdry 2 роки тому

    This video is fantastic. Thank you to every single person involved in bringing this to us, and fo’ free!! Top quality.

  • @intensityintencities9283
    @intensityintencities9283 2 роки тому +1

    Nice job Clay! Very cool video. I played ball in college and I always hated hitting off the machine, it was harder than an actual pitcher for me.

  • @wyffd
    @wyffd 3 роки тому +296

    Love how they decided not to change his swing and just let his natural movement run

    • @jamessinodinos145
      @jamessinodinos145 3 роки тому +7

      this is exactly it!!!

    • @natef3986
      @natef3986 3 роки тому +75

      considering he barely had any time, its probably better to keep his swing something that he's used to doing so he doesn't overcomplicate himself with mechanics

    • @kattelubega5840
      @kattelubega5840 3 роки тому +4

      Great coaching

    • @slicedbread5692
      @slicedbread5692 3 роки тому +10

      Probably one of the reasons he never hit the faster pitches.. His feet were dancing too much.. His eye level was moving up and down sporadically.. It was absolutely horrible at the beginning and after the great coaching he was just pretty crappy.. Sooo he improved but it was still garbage.

    • @MacLaw3084
      @MacLaw3084 3 роки тому +10

      @@natef3986 he hadnt played since 7 years old so he wasnt “used” to any swing. i wish they would’ve tried to correct his dancing feet.

  • @NickPoeschek
    @NickPoeschek 3 роки тому +233

    I remember as a teenager being an OK hitter playing within my city leagues, and then going to a bigger tournament where we faced really good pitchers for the first time. First game, I stood in feeling confident ready to crush the ball but just heard the ball sizzle past before I knew what happened. Hitting good pitching is extremely difficult, kudos to this guy for giving it a shot!

    • @MrManfly
      @MrManfly 2 роки тому +7

      When I was younger, stronger and faster, I still couldn’t hit a 95 mile per hour fastball, thrown by the machine, when I was at the batting cages! It was already past me before I could even react!! 🙄🤷🏻‍♂️

    • @PizzzaBoy
      @PizzzaBoy Рік тому +1

      When I was 15 I played in a league where age ranged 15-18 year olds and I backed out of a curve ball. Never saw pitching like that lol

  • @davidweaver2156
    @davidweaver2156 2 роки тому +1

    Never thought that this video would be that informative. Great job

  • @CatsMeowington
    @CatsMeowington Рік тому

    The next MLB game I watch will be a little bit more entertaining than the one I watched yesterday. Very informative. Thank you and thank You Tube for this service.

  • @darren795
    @darren795 3 роки тому +294

    Willy Adames : when you hit it in the sweet spot you don’t feel it.
    Also Willy Adames : When you strike out looking and lose a World Series you feel it 🤣

  • @sunghwan6031
    @sunghwan6031 3 роки тому +340

    I laugh at this guy but I also know I would probably accidentally throw the bat at the pitching machine

    • @cquick3277
      @cquick3277 3 роки тому +8

      Jesus Saves Love God✝️

    • @willlynch1271
      @willlynch1271 3 роки тому +18

      @@bsblleon01 bro cmon now you know you can’t hit a 95 mph fastball...

    • @Base950Y
      @Base950Y 3 роки тому +1

      @@willlynch1271 hitting a 95 mph is not that hard after putting in the practice

    • @willlynch1271
      @willlynch1271 3 роки тому +6

      @@Base950Y idk man pro players do it everyday of there lives yet they still can’t hit them every time

    • @Aquvok
      @Aquvok 3 роки тому +3

      @@willlynch1271 yeah, cuz they’re moving, at different speeds, at different locations, and different timings. A machine is throwing a fastball every time and it’s almost 100% of the time within inches of the same exact spot

  • @JamesAllenJr
    @JamesAllenJr 2 роки тому

    Wow, I love how in-depth these guys teach... I'm a Master of the Jump Shot and I know nothing about that level of coaching. But, I should learn.

  • @poshko41
    @poshko41 2 роки тому +11

    I've been watching baseball for over two decades and nothing has helped me better visualize and appreciate the mechanics of hitting like this video has.

  • @jaimecruz2972
    @jaimecruz2972 3 роки тому +192

    I’m so glad he gives tribute to the difficulty of baseball many people never see

    • @justusphillips2480
      @justusphillips2480 3 роки тому +4

      That’s because the media claims that baseball is so easy that all you have to do to play the game at a high level is take steroids.

    • @axe2grind772
      @axe2grind772 2 роки тому +9

      If you didn’t know baseball is the hardest sport to be good at in the world you’re not an athlete. Golf is a distant second. 99% of the population couldn’t even make contact with a high school pitcher let alone a MLB pitcher yet I know many who can shoot low 80’s at a championship golf course.

    • @GoIndyGo18
      @GoIndyGo18 2 роки тому +2

      @@axe2grind772it would be hard to convince me that it’s harder than hockey. They are playing a contact sport while skating. That’s ridiculous

    • @axe2grind772
      @axe2grind772 2 роки тому +9

      @@GoIndyGo18 Well I’ve played hockey for 25 years of my life and compared to most levels of baseball it’s a breeze. I scored on Rick DiPietro in a tourney in Chicago and he was the 1st overall pick in the NHL yet I couldn’t make contact with a high school pitcher on my best day.

    • @MTSGaming
      @MTSGaming 2 роки тому +2

      ​@@justusphillips2480 my cousin was 5'5 110 pounds then he took 5 steroids and was 6'5 250 meat bag crushing homeruns like nothing

  • @2cardarsenal310
    @2cardarsenal310 3 роки тому +196

    Mad props facing machine throwing 95 without a face guard.

    • @Michael_Rodrique
      @Michael_Rodrique 3 роки тому +14

      Why would you. Just move if it comes at you

    • @2cardarsenal310
      @2cardarsenal310 3 роки тому +56

      @@Michael_Rodrique You have less than half a second to react to 95 mph, If it was that easy then MLB players would not get hit. Several careers have been ended by getting hit in the face and this is why you see most wear a face guard.

    • @Michael_Rodrique
      @Michael_Rodrique 3 роки тому +8

      @@2cardarsenal310 if you look at the mlb though most are on breaking pitches. Plus coming out of a machine in a controlled setting it is easier to see. You just turn you face away. That’s what the helmets for. Still hurts but less than one to the face.

    • @Michael_Rodrique
      @Michael_Rodrique 3 роки тому +5

      @@2cardarsenal310 I’ve have high 80s at my head and you do have time to react

    • @TripleLayerLemonCake
      @TripleLayerLemonCake 3 роки тому +15

      @@Michael_Rodrique 88 is not the same as 95.. Trust me, you have to have insane reactions.

  • @vmart054
    @vmart054 2 роки тому +1

    This was awesome! Funny, but packed with great information!

  • @etamommy
    @etamommy 2 роки тому

    Thanks, this segment is great! Baseball in my view is the best sport of all and this aspect, though central is only one part. Not easy!

  • @jeffw1267
    @jeffw1267 3 роки тому +117

    I like Luis as a coach the best: he's not being condescending like the others. He's just trying to help the batter improve based upon his current level of skill.

    • @csnide6702
      @csnide6702 Рік тому +1

      trading Luis was one of the DUMBEST things Tigers did -- not paying JD Martinez was another....... a child could do a better job than Tigers front office and Manager.

  • @ezralogan
    @ezralogan 3 роки тому +37

    "Swing as hard as you can"
    Got it. Cody Bellenger is coaching

  • @jamesnunya5833
    @jamesnunya5833 2 роки тому +3

    The way he keeps moving that back leg... me and all my little league coaches growing up are yelling at him!

  • @joshskowron
    @joshskowron 2 роки тому +2

    This was so well done!

  • @WXVA9
    @WXVA9 3 роки тому +171

    I love these coaches.

    • @cquick3277
      @cquick3277 3 роки тому +17

      Jesus Saves Love God✝️

    • @juanthomas4002
      @juanthomas4002 3 роки тому +21

      @@cquick3277 no body asked

    • @gl2519
      @gl2519 3 роки тому +3

      @@cquick3277 shutup loser

  • @nickbanks1034
    @nickbanks1034 3 роки тому +104

    Definitely need more educational videos like these instead of "how did player spend his first million dollars?" This was way more interesting, and it gave me some ESPN sports science vibes. I don't enjoy watching baseball, but I've gained a new respect for the mechanics behind being a great player

  • @Bandolero456
    @Bandolero456 3 роки тому +1

    When I was young, I used to watch Luis Gonzalez play winter ball in Venezuela for the Magallanes team where he became one of the many heroes that team had produced that later became super stars in the MLB. I remember that once in a while he would pop out his shoulder, pop it back and continue playing. Amazing guy Luis. Nice to see you in this video and remember, there is nothing like a Caracas vs. Magallanes.

  • @scottkinderdine3317
    @scottkinderdine3317 2 роки тому

    Subscribed.... Really cool video, can't wait to see more of them.

  • @EHMSL1226
    @EHMSL1226 3 роки тому +212

    Hitting off of a pitching machine going 95mph is nearly impossible. The reason that major league players are able to hit such fast pitches is due to their ability to start their swing and time it as the pitcher is performing their wind up. This allows them to get their timing of the swing in sync and read the ball a lot easier. With a machine there is no wind up, and thus no timing you can go off of. Its way way harder than hitting a pitcher.

    • @trevorgaddy5947
      @trevorgaddy5947 3 роки тому +25

      normally the person on the other side of the machine should give you some sort of way to time it up (with like a simulated arm drop going towards the hole of the machine) still super hard but if you can hit a pitcher throwing 95 you will be able to time up the machine after some time.

    • @jackcasse
      @jackcasse 3 роки тому +2

      Amen to that.

    • @metzilla
      @metzilla 3 роки тому

      ^^^^^^^ THIS!!!!!! ^^^^^^^^

    • @tylermcgill9768
      @tylermcgill9768 3 роки тому +10

      Kole Calhoun said in the beginning he thinks its easier to hit it off a pitcher than a machine

    • @jmunley22
      @jmunley22 2 роки тому

      100% agree. i remember going into a batting cage a couple years ago and trying to hit it on the fastest speed and it was just impossible to get the timing down. i didnt even swing at half of the pitches because i wasn't ready for how fast it shoots out after it rolls down the little ramp. having a pitcher wind up and throw it at least gives you a chance.

  • @Shadow-pk2ur
    @Shadow-pk2ur 3 роки тому +135

    Is it me or is it so satisfying when you square the ball up and you don’t even feel the ball hit the bat and you know you just hit it really hard

    • @cruzwexler5303
      @cruzwexler5303 3 роки тому +26

      Any baseball player that ever played knows this feeling. Unless they sucked 🤣.

    • @Moonlight-cq6bi
      @Moonlight-cq6bi 3 роки тому +3

      @@cruzwexler5303 Ive been playing for 5 months now and hope this feeling is comin soon haha

    • @dwrink9
      @dwrink9 3 роки тому +7

      Especially into a gap and out of the box you know it's an xbh

    • @jje8058
      @jje8058 3 роки тому

      I wouldn’t call it satisfying but yes I agree

    • @walker9789
      @walker9789 3 роки тому +7

      Best feeling ever for a ball player

  • @vaporwareproducts
    @vaporwareproducts Рік тому +1

    Nice vid. Gonzo! Loved watching you as a kid in stros uniform.... The “hands up” comment is a killer for youth learning proper path IMHO. I like thinking about “setting bat on shoulder then pick it up a bit”. Allows kids to get on plane and stay on plane easier, they are still learning load, stride - pros know how to time this perfectly. For kids that do that they swing late and wind up chopping or swing outside their shoulders-pulling off so to speak.

  • @NickkaDUB
    @NickkaDUB 2 роки тому +1

    You gotta love the Dr’s picture of the stance. The front arm is on top. (The right handed hitter’s left hand is on top while holding the bat). They’re trying to hurt the kid.

  • @DC-id5gi
    @DC-id5gi 3 роки тому +32

    I met Gonzo when I was a kid and he was great. The security tried to usher us along and he kept talking with us and signed a million things and shook my hand. I told him I wanted to play outfield like him (yeah I never even played HS ball) but he was just an awesome person to 7 yo me.

  • @LordWafflestomp
    @LordWafflestomp 3 роки тому +73

    Willy Adames: "It's still hard, even if you know what's coming, it's still hard to hit it"
    Astros fans: yes

  • @craigborgardt6396
    @craigborgardt6396 Рік тому

    A very well done story and video....shows what it takes physically and mentally to hit a fastball. It'd be fun to see how guys who've played at the high school varsity level would do.

  • @garrytreymendeziii5650
    @garrytreymendeziii5650 Рік тому +4

    You had some of the best coaching there is. My son hit in that very cage and played on Empire teams when we lived in NY and Jordan and Chris and the rest of the crew at Empire helped him develop into a great ballplayer. So I’m not surprised they guided you to success.

  • @devinwayne89
    @devinwayne89 3 роки тому +25

    I'm jealous of how much technology in baseball has evolved. Wish I had this kind of info on my swing in hs 15 yrs ago.

    • @WilliamPitcher
      @WilliamPitcher Рік тому +1

      If you it makes you feel any better, just remember that pitchers have this kind of technology now too. ;-)

  • @Ericliaoo
    @Ericliaoo 3 роки тому +80

    20:38 at least Clay smelled like a man who can hit 95mph fastballs and who can also do anything 😂

    • @cquick3277
      @cquick3277 3 роки тому +4

      Jesus Saves Love God✝️

    • @reddoyle34
      @reddoyle34 3 роки тому

      Who can smell when everyone is wearing masks?

    • @sleepyheadz
      @sleepyheadz 2 роки тому

      @@reddoyle34 you've just caused a stock market crash. lol

  • @OsvaldoG521
    @OsvaldoG521 3 роки тому +2

    When he said “I feel like I might throw out my back” it reminded me of when I threw out my back doing BP for first time in a decade...

  • @Matt-f07u
    @Matt-f07u 2 роки тому

    What an accomplishment!! Kudos to you man!! Thats way harder than it seems and people think.

  • @anthonymccomack
    @anthonymccomack 3 роки тому +160

    If only the Diamondbacks knew how to hit an MLB fastball

  • @brandonbaxter7307
    @brandonbaxter7307 3 роки тому +229

    Now imagine Ohtani throwing 101 and you dont know if its a splitty or not😳

    • @foenem5291
      @foenem5291 3 роки тому +34

      its so stupid 😂😂 101, then 93 that disappears...

    • @JasonJia909
      @JasonJia909 3 роки тому +6

      He's a figment of our imaginations...to this day still doesn't feel real

    • @nolanpatten7586
      @nolanpatten7586 3 роки тому +16

      Or DeGrom’s 95 slider😬😳

    • @williamdawhale701
      @williamdawhale701 3 роки тому +12

      Or my 25 mph meatball

    • @pedroaguilar2011
      @pedroaguilar2011 3 роки тому +5

      @@williamdawhale701 nobody touches that

  • @neilschlemeel5751
    @neilschlemeel5751 Рік тому +1

    I hit off the machine in the Reds clubhouse set at 75 (20 pitches) & it was easier than I'd ever have thought - especially with George Foster critiquing us - he was a great host for the ballpark tour

  • @sachinnair1613
    @sachinnair1613 Рік тому

    The coaching in this video is incredible, he knew exactly how to understand Clay's strengths and weaknesses and apply them to his lessons

  • @Gankhisprawn
    @Gankhisprawn 3 роки тому +58

    “That beep, is that a good sound or a bad sound?”
    Coach: “Yes”
    LOL

  • @gamble777888
    @gamble777888 3 роки тому +35

    Fantastic coaching right there. Shows how these pro players can actually hit some of these balls which logic would dictate are impossible to hit.

  • @LuisSilva-eo3cy
    @LuisSilva-eo3cy 2 роки тому

    Al that technical stuff while the Latino coach “hey papi look at the ball and dale duro” 🤣

  • @dukeon
    @dukeon 2 роки тому +7

    Barry Bonds: “Just do this” …pulls Gagne 101mph fastball into McCovey Cove…

    • @teeemm9456
      @teeemm9456 2 роки тому

      Barry Bonds Also: "Just do this" ...pulls some steroids out of his bag...

    • @mrmacross
      @mrmacross 2 роки тому +4

      @@teeemm9456 well, in this particular instance, Bonds was going up against a juiced up Gagne, so it sort of evens out...

    • @Adtrevino37
      @Adtrevino37 2 роки тому

      @@mrmacross I was bout to say. When did Gagne ever hit 101? lol

  • @Shinobi33
    @Shinobi33 3 роки тому +46

    What a blast he must have had.... If any of us went to Empire they'd probably want $3k to $5k for those sessions. If I had the money I'd pay it.

    • @vernievuitton
      @vernievuitton 3 роки тому +8

      and he was getting paid by GQ the whole time!

    • @TexanUSMC8089
      @TexanUSMC8089 2 роки тому +1

      He said a player normally comes to them for a month, not one day. That's going to be some big money, but if it's the difference between playing in AA or AAA or the majors...Money well spent.

  • @glenishii2022
    @glenishii2022 2 роки тому

    That’s pretty darned good that you could even make contact. The training that they gave you was amazing. I wish they had that when I was younger. I also think that the kinetic training could be useful in golf as well.

  • @rojeliocastro9733
    @rojeliocastro9733 2 роки тому +2

    Haven't played in over a decade. This makes me wanna get back out there

  • @bakedsalmon5455
    @bakedsalmon5455 3 роки тому +30

    This was actually a very informative video. I'll be using some of these techniques with the team that I coach. Thanks guys!

  • @Olliemets
    @Olliemets 3 роки тому +18

    Well done. I coached a lot of kids in travel and tournament ball specifically on hitting and the coach's observations and challenges are spot on. Modern tech helps, but a trained eye can see a lot too. I grew up in an era where a lot of old shopworn cliches were used that were fairly useless. You need good eye hand coordination to hit, but good coaches can really help. Build the swing first. And practice good swings, not bad ones. Tough to break bad habits. Good Video

  • @rutheshelman2483
    @rutheshelman2483 2 роки тому +1

    That hitting coach is fuckin legit. He knows what he's talking about

  • @billygowhoop
    @billygowhoop 3 роки тому +15

    I remember the one time that I went up against a guy throwing 85+ in high school (my school and most of the schools I played in were tiny and had very little tablet athletically). It was a totally different world. I can only imagine what 95 mph looks like when you're at the plate and trying to hit it.

    • @danielmajor258
      @danielmajor258 2 роки тому +2

      It’s scary, I’ll tell you that, but what makes it worse is when the pitchers have a 80 MPH curveball to back it up 😂

    • @davewilliams5721
      @davewilliams5721 Рік тому +1

      The 95mph fastball never scared me, I could always pick my speed up, it was when they would keep the same arm angle, and drop a 82mph changeup on me. I looked like I was flailing at bugs up there.

    • @RevanPorkins
      @RevanPorkins Рік тому +1

      I was hitting 85 in the cage at 12 its not that fast when you see it everyday all the time.

  • @Maz2323
    @Maz2323 3 роки тому +33

    This was a great video! He said something of massive importance to little leaguers. It’s better to swing and miss with a good swing than to have bad contact on a bad swing.

    • @SimonFoster23111971
      @SimonFoster23111971 Рік тому

      except on 2 strikes - and then contact forces the defense to make a play.

  • @tylerp4130
    @tylerp4130 3 роки тому +8

    This was fascinating. As someone that didn't play baseball beyond a very young age, you kinda think the pros just pump some iron and do some cardio and then show up and swing a bat. There's sooooo much more than that in their swings.

  • @xonirx
    @xonirx Рік тому +1

    Around 1970 we had new batting cages where the very fast setting was 100 mph. I got to where I could always hit 7 or 8 out of 10. Ken Harrelson came to the Grand Opening and he fouled off one pitch out of 10. Made my day.

  • @gaborikrules
    @gaborikrules Рік тому

    Props to the players for being cool and not laughing, and genuinely trying to help

  • @drewaldridge5208
    @drewaldridge5208 3 роки тому +12

    Playing through high school in Wyoming (Babe Ruth League since Wyoming doesn't have high school baseball as a sport), you don't see many pitchers that can top 90; mid to high 80s at best. Went to Vancouver, WA for the Pacific Northwest tournament and faced some dude out of Beaverton, OR (circa 2004) and he was easily mid 90s. I fouled the first pitch straight back, struck out swinging. My next two teammates never even got the bat of their shoulders. Until you face a mid to high 90s fastball, you don't know... TV doesn't do it justice.

  • @laurenhulkower9663
    @laurenhulkower9663 3 роки тому +6

    This is so hysterical and so true! Love it!

  • @digitaldoc1976
    @digitaldoc1976 2 роки тому

    Gonzo broke MY heart against my Yankees! That's repressed trauma relived! Thanks, Clay. (Seriously, though, this is my first of your videos. Thanks for a great one!)

  • @danapaul3216
    @danapaul3216 2 роки тому

    Excellent video, this is why baseball is so hard and only a few highly skilled and hard working people can do it at all. Not to mention the ones that do it successfully for years at a time. The truly consistent professionals who make the hall of fame are such a minuscule percentage of human beings it scary.

  • @tricktaylor1983
    @tricktaylor1983 3 роки тому +32

    Next you should try and play 3rd base and field a grounder coming at you at 100+mph and then throw a runner out at 1st who gets down the line in 2.5 seconds.

    • @vernievuitton
      @vernievuitton 3 роки тому +4

      LOL Are you trying to kill the guy?! Cuz you'll definitely rearrange his face and maybe his balls too xD

    • @shinigamigaming2941
      @shinigamigaming2941 3 роки тому +3

      To be fair, no grounder keeps above 100 unless a low fly, which is an insanely hard catch. Inpressive to do, but the ball bouncing even just once makes it lose some juice, but a 90mph ball coming at you is still hard to catch. Lol

  • @tonyLA24
    @tonyLA24 3 роки тому +25

    Imagine being a catcher, you HAVE to catch every single pitch.

  • @TheLetsPlayBaseballCurse
    @TheLetsPlayBaseballCurse 2 роки тому

    I wish I had resources like the coaches and doctors or even the video when I played in little league. I wasn't a good hitter by any means and I learned a whole lot about the mechanics here. Thank you.

  • @cmalc8
    @cmalc8 Рік тому

    So much of batting mechanics is similar to golf (and I suppose hockey and other two handed bat sports), just a different spine tilt.

  • @isaaclopez1775
    @isaaclopez1775 3 роки тому +17

    Who else saw his old spice ad during the middle of the vid

  • @SolRC
    @SolRC 3 роки тому +4

    Coach Baltimore and Dr. James seem awesome. I need a physical therapist with half that ability . Cool stuff. I think I am going to do these workouts before I skate.

  • @dlvox5222
    @dlvox5222 3 роки тому

    I need those mobility drills and stretching for golf.

  • @GunNut37086
    @GunNut37086 Рік тому

    That was great! Very interesting science behind all that.

  • @jensonhartmann3630
    @jensonhartmann3630 3 роки тому +4

    I appreciate you using my AZ Diamondbacks for coaching!

  • @cubbygig6016
    @cubbygig6016 3 роки тому +12

    “Is that a good or bad sound?”
    “Yes”

  • @anthonyfreund129
    @anthonyfreund129 Рік тому +3

    I do pretty well in the 90mph cages here. I always thought just the opposite though of pitcher vs machine. I'd rather a machine throw it to me and always felt more confident than facing a human since it's pretty much the same fast ball every time - no worry about the offspeed stuff, curves, sliders, etc. Any good batter will adjust their timing to the same repeated pitch. Great batters can face great humans and know what pitch to sit on and will just fight off the garbage they don't want.

  • @bigsassyster
    @bigsassyster 2 роки тому

    Insane how good some of those swings were in the cage against the 95mph pitches when seeing the first swings of the day/episode.

  • @Khorton014
    @Khorton014 3 роки тому +13

    Man it would have been cool to have all of this technology and kinematic coaching back in the day. All this hip stuff, my coach just told me throw my junk at the ball.

    • @skeezix8156
      @skeezix8156 3 роки тому

      Any batting coach can tell you what you’re doing wrong, but if it’s wrong and you’re hitting the ball, don’t change it.

  • @jmac1851
    @jmac1851 3 роки тому +20

    This just proves baseball is the hardest sport. Natural talent, YEARS of practicing hours a day, millions if dollars yet the average players fail 3/4 time

    • @zem0104
      @zem0104 3 роки тому +3

      It isn't at all

    • @garrettgriggs9368
      @garrettgriggs9368 3 роки тому +6

      @@zem0104 So what is? Have you ever actually played it at any sort of a competitive level?

    • @ahmeddirie2632
      @ahmeddirie2632 3 роки тому

      if anything it proves the opposite cuz he succeded

    • @garrettgriggs9368
      @garrettgriggs9368 3 роки тому +5

      @@ahmeddirie2632 That was not succeeding. Simply making light contact like that is not hard. Making solid contact is hard. Him having 10 tries versus only having 3 tries

    • @jmac1851
      @jmac1851 3 роки тому +6

      @@ahmeddirie2632 barely hitting the ball knowing exactly where it is going is succeeding? lmfao real pitches have much more spin on them and you never know where theyre going to go.

  • @davecooksfood9320
    @davecooksfood9320 3 роки тому +4

    We've seen him HIT a 95 mph ball, now let's see him PITCH one.

  • @Ryanbmc4
    @Ryanbmc4 2 роки тому

    Teaching how the body works while still thinking that there is such a thing as left and right brain is just amazing to watch.

  • @ericschneps302
    @ericschneps302 3 роки тому +23

    Why aren’t they telling him the plant his right foot?

    • @joedunn7434
      @joedunn7434 2 роки тому +1

      That’s exactly what I was thinking

    • @RyisheedWilson
      @RyisheedWilson 2 роки тому +1

      Right I’m looking at his swing like “why is his right foot moving around like he’s square dancing”.. plus, his feet were almost together..no kind of balance or stability..

  • @jakovi_slater
    @jakovi_slater 3 роки тому +53

    Why did he ask Willy Adames for advice 😂😂😂😂 He only knows how to watch fastballs down the middle and lose the World Series

    • @GWrench9
      @GWrench9 3 роки тому +5

      This had to be said

    • @mlwyouth7521
      @mlwyouth7521 3 роки тому +3

      To be fair that was probably the most stressful an of his life

    • @anthonyraineri5190
      @anthonyraineri5190 3 роки тому +1

      When your coach pulls your pitcher who has given up 1 hit in 6 innings and the reliever he brings in get's bombed.

    • @Marz997
      @Marz997 3 роки тому

      He should ask Jacob Alvarez for advice.

  • @robertroy1878
    @robertroy1878 Рік тому

    Very cool. Makes what the pitchers and batters do much more impressive.

  • @garrettgrassl6038
    @garrettgrassl6038 3 роки тому

    at 20:39 the only thing I could think about is the steve will do it intro song

  • @fatboyslimz2554
    @fatboyslimz2554 3 роки тому +6

    he needs to plant his back foot and step into the pitch, i think what held him back was the little dance move he did as he was about to swing. it was like road runner starting his feet to run before he hit the ball ;) good video tho