Where do you start your PCI?
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This is a very simple question, but I think it may end up with a quite complex discussion on the benefits of each starting point.
Personally, I've pretty much tried starting the PCI at every point imaginable. Initially, I would always protect the inside of the plate (especially inside fastballs) by starting the PCI on the inside, usually a bit closer to high and inside. This year I've mostly started the PCI based on the pitcher's handedness - on the same side as the pitcher's hand - and at the level of the release point. It has its perks but certain pitches are still difficult to get to and I find myself especially struggling with low and inside heat and sliders that tunnel well with fastballs.
The other day, I was watching Trumanation play and was really impressed with how he hit. He essentially starts the PCI at the very top of the zone from where he then reacts low if necessary. Thinking about giving his approach a shot now.
Where do you start your PCI and with which pitches do you then struggle with?
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Recently, I've begun to start mine right down at the bottom of the zone, with my finger against the bottom side of the stick. I find that it stops me from pulling it down and, with my finger positioned there, I find it much quicker to flick it up.
I've started to do that because, like a lot of people, I have propensity to pull down on the stick automatically. When I used to start in the middle, I would either yank down on the stick and sometimes not even move it without realizing it.
Now, I've only been practicing this against the cpu on higher difficulties, but my hitting has improved and I don't yank down on the stick.
Another reason I thought of approaching it this way is that people tend to pitch down in the zone more frequently.
I'm not a good online player, so you can take my idea with a grain of salt.
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I start a bit up and in when I'm facing same handedness against a pitcher with a good fastball (98mph+). On everything else I start center and react from there.
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I start slightly up but then adjust based on how I'm missing with the pci
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I like to start high and in and own that part of the plate. Of course I'll adjust and start low and away or low and in sometimes, depending on how I'm getting pitched. If you make them scared to throw high though, it makes it alot easier to hit the low pitches because you know that's what you're getting.
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I always start high, just because it’s easier for me to react to low balls than a high fastball.
If a guy isn’t throwing many high fastballs, I’ll just leave it in the center or slightly inside.
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@DriveByTrucker17 said in Where do you start your PCI?:
I always start high, just because it’s easier for me to react to low balls than a high fastball.
If a guy isn’t throwing many high fastballs, I’ll just leave it in the center or slightly inside.
I get that.
My biggest issue is with pitches where you can't identify any break - or it happens too late for me to react to.
I'm talking about, for example, fastballs from a right-handed pitcher to high and inside on a right-handed batter (that spot where you can't see the pitch trail at all). Similarly, any pitch that starts as looking like that fastball (sliders, cutters, sinkers) really give me trouble. That's also why I start my PCI in that specific spot.
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I keep it dead center. I tried starting it up but found that I'd chase pitches out of the zone up more often
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Middle middle. I react rather than guess.
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Dead center
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I leave it where it is an react to the pitch. I also have PCI turned off it's distracting for me.
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I used to start it dead center and couldn't hit real well. i also pulled it down no matter what and couldn't hit very well. Then I changed and start it almost on top of the pitchers head and try to move it where the ball goes. I've come to find out that doesn't help either and I still can't hit worth a $hit! I give up.
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I start inside middle at all times.
Most people’s strategy is to try to jam you so I sit there, look to turn on the pitch and adjust accordingly.
I also focus on keeping the pci dead still at the release of the pitch. Helps me focus on release point and anticipation.
I try to only make one, fluid movement to the pitch with the pci
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Dead Center and I tighten my thumb on the stick to control the PCI.
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I've tried just about every position possible and honestly there is no right answer. It's about the same as asking a hitter where he starts his hands. No matter where you start you need to put the pci on the ball to hit it consistently. Starting low may feel like it helps if you are consistantly dropping the pci but you are kind of supplementing for something you arent good at rather than directly attacking the real issue. Use practice tools efficiently, dont go in there and just try to hit the ball, focus on what you know to be your issue and really work on getting better at it. For instance, dropping the pci is largely an issue with people twitching or being jumpy when pushing the swing button. Go in to practice and try relaxing your muscles to eliminate that jump or twitch and the majority of the time the dropping of the pci issue will resolve itself, repeat this and build good habits. End of the day your ability to put the pci on the ball isnt largely affected by where you start it, there are top players who start in all different spots and there is no right or wrong way. I'd stress just to not start somewhere that feels uncomfortable as thags just starting you in a bad situation pre pitch.
That was super long winded, to answer your question, I start middle. I move the pci around before every pitch but let it rest middle just before release.
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I find keeping it on the middle helps me take bad pitches. On 2 strike counts I'll cheat high and inside fastballs.
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Well, just like in really MLB everyone tries to get you out by throwing FB up and by you. So i always start my PCI up. I do sometimes drop it too low, but for the most part i am able to crush the high to mid FB that everyone tries to throw by me.
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@Weshill627 said in Where do you start your PCI?:
Well, just like in really MLB everyone tries to get you out by throwing FB up and by you. So i always start my PCI up. I do sometimes drop it too low, but for the most part i am able to crush the high to mid FB that everyone tries to throw by me.
I wish they threw me high fastballs all the time, in my experience everyone spams low offspeed pitches
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I am not that good at hitting, I recently have found some success starting the PCI depending on the hitters swing or seeing best way to hit with each hitter. I have had more success with Mays, Bench and Henderson.
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I start top of the zone, center. I used to start at the bottom and then couldn't touch a high fastball. I find it easier to drop my PCI to reach a low pitch than to raise it to it a high one. I don't even have the actual visual of my PCI on as I found it to be too much of a distraction and my hitting improved a lot when I made that switch.
