Have you ever noticed what some of these players do before hitting against the live pitch? Some of these warm-ups can be interesting.
Like the Derek Jeter ritual. He steps into the batter’s box and then raises his right hand to the plate umpire requesting overtime to get ready to hit. He does it most of the times he hits. This is Derek’s way of preparing to win.
Take Hideki Matsui. He steps into the batter’s box, swings a couple of times, then looks somewhere between the left-field foul pole and the third-base dugout for about a second. Gradually turning his head to look at the pitcher is his next move. He sometimes moves his right shoulder. He is now ready to hit.
I remember Chuck Knoblach’s style. He would step into the batter’s box and follow a routine that was always exactly the same. He unbuttoned and put his batting gloves back on. He always took the same number of practice swings. He would always put his hand on his batting helmet to adjust it. He would always put one foot in the batter’s box, wait a second, then put the other foot in. It was usual in his actions.
I also remember Tito Fuentes and Jimmy Piersall always putting a cross in the dirt before going into the batter’s box… I guess they thought God would see them kindly. But what would God do if the pitcher also drew a cross in the dirt before each pitch. That is a question for another day.
Hank Aaron had a unique style in the way he approached hitting. Walking to home plate to bat with his batting helmet in hand, he seemed to be studying the entire field. As he was about to step into the batter’s box, he would slowly put on his helmet as he surveyed the ballpark. He’d take a couple of hits and then he’d be ready to hit.
Other players have their own stuff. Like crossing yourself, or removing the dirt from your cleats or pointing the bat, like Rocky Colavito used to do. These quirks can be very entertaining.
As you watch today’s players before the bat, look for some interesting features in their warmups. They can be interesting and sometimes very funny. Some players may vary their warm up. Many don’t. They do the same every time. See for yourself.
