why does gary sheffield do that thing with his bat?

Question

is there a benifit and what is it called?

is their as a name

Answer 1

He said it is because as a young player he would always be out in front of the off speed pitches and by waving his bat it helps him be more patient.

Answer 2

Only to him. Major Leaguers are a superstitious and nervous bunch. What if you were getting $45,000 every time you showed up at work? What if you knew the BOSS was watching everything you did? I'd be nervous too! Gary is a great hitter and a fine ballplayer and even as a Red Sox fan I admit I admire the guy. He always gives his best. Look at all the players with quirks and twitches from pointing to the sky to wrapping the batting glove 3 times. The baseball millionaires are nervous and superstitious all right. So would I be taking home 23 million a year for playing essentially a kids game!

Answer 3

Jeter, though bi-racial, he's still an African American. So to say the Yankees have no African-American on their team is not true. With that said, it seems like they should have kept Sheffield. The Abreu deal is turning out to be a bust.

Answer 4

Every player has something they do to be ready to swing the bat. It is nothing more than a timing issue. If you look closely you will see things that look strange with other players as well.

Answer 5

what, his shaking bat? hit nearly 500 homers in your career and tell him that it doesn't work for him. every batter bats differently. there really isn't a right or wrong way as long as you have success. gary is a career .300 hitter and will hit 500 homers probably next season. i'm fine with his bat wave.

Answer 6

It is a timing mechanism. Gets him in the proper position at the proper time.

Why does he do it?
My guess, and it's just a guess, to calm his nerves.

Whatever the reason there's no doubt it works for him. He's been one of MLB's most consistent power hitters for several years.

Answer 7

Well he does that because he needs to generate bat speed to get through the stike zone quicker

Answer 8

It is called a lot of things. But he does it to gain balance and keep him ready to go. It gives him the balance to really drive the ball out of the park.

Answer 9

Its just the way he times himself before he swings. A lot of players do various things in their stance. Its all a way to keep yourself in a fluid motion while you take your cut.

Answer 10

He does it to distract the pitcher and to get himself pumped up to crush the ball. He hits the ball harder than anyone else currently playing the game.