Soriano's hop-step (costs, health, trip)

[hank0604]

Originally Posted by sharkylittleton

It's a timing thing. End of story. Some people do it differently. Maybe we should talk about real issues like the bullpen, instead of focusing on Soriano's bouncy bounce.

I'm not trying to nitpick different little issues. I just thought maybe he had an injury in the past or something. Most of the time when you see an athlete with a quirk like that it comes from working around an injury.

[Lookout Kid]

The little hop doesn't bother me, but the standing at the plate watching your "home run" does. Especially when it's not a home run.

[sharkylittleton]

Originally Posted by Lookout Kid

The little hop doesn't bother me, but the standing at the plate watching your "home run" does. Especially when it's not a home run.

Yeah, it gets under pitchers skin when hitters get egotistical. It works on newbie pitchers as a strategy as long as 2 conditions happen... 1. Soriano actually does hit a homer. 2, He continues to hit homers.

[Fishtacos]

When it comes to professional athletes, all I care about it productivity on the job and value, if value matters. Note: Value is not a factor or concern for all teams. And, do not commit crimes or get into any major trouble.

That is all.

Most people do not know what professional athletes are like, or who is or isn't a "good guy." Many would be likely surprised at what they would find good and bad. So, if you stick to the basics of production, value, stay out of trouble, it works.

[ERS-One]

I used to play ball and when I had to play outfield, I had a hopstep/skipstep too, but that was at the beginning of my run when chasing a hit. I can't imagine making that same move when catching a ball - it would be terribly awkward. I was going to say it may be something he developed as a kid when learning to play, like I did, but you never know with AS.

[UICJohn]

I can't guarantee, but I'm pretty sure I read that he started doing that when he played the outfield. He used to be a second baseman and as an outfielder, he gets a lot more fly balls. The hop is just a timing thing, something he does to help him time fly balls. It's not showing up the other team or anything.

And also, let's not pretend like he's the only player who watches his home runs once in a while. I'm not condoning it, but he's not the only one by any means.

[Avengerfire]

Originally Posted by ERS-One

I used to play ball and when I had to play outfield, I had a hopstep/skipstep too, but that was at the beginning of my run when chasing a hit. I can't imagine making that same move when catching a ball - it would be terribly awkward. I was going to say it may be something he developed as a kid when learning to play, like I did, but you never know with AS.

Again, this is what Soriano said about it:

"...Soriano began doing the hop when he made his conversion from second base to the outfield in spring training of 2006 with Washington...

"I came up with that because every time in batting practice [when] I was waiting for a ball to come down I'd drop it," Soriano said in an interview last year. "I said to myself, 'I don't want to wait for the ball to come to me. I'll get it.' "

[ERS-One]

Originally Posted by Avengerfire

Again, this is what Soriano said about it:

"...Soriano began doing the hop when he made his conversion from second base to the outfield in spring training of 2006 with Washington...

"I came up with that because every time in batting practice [when] I was waiting for a ball to come down I'd drop it," Soriano said in an interview last year. "I said to myself, 'I don't want to wait for the ball to come to me. I'll get it.' "

Ahh, I see. I wouldn't teach that to kids, but he claims it works better for him - I can't imagine how though. It makes him sound like some sort of spaz.

[Avengerfire]

Originally Posted by ERS-One

Ahh, I see. I wouldn't teach that to kids, but he claims it works better for him - I can't imagine how though. It makes him sound like some sort of spaz.

Have you ever gone to a game and sat in the left field bleachers?

He is beyond a spaz.

He is a space cadet.

[hank0604]

Originally Posted by Avengerfire

Again, this is what Soriano said about it:

"...Soriano began doing the hop when he made his conversion from second base to the outfield in spring training of 2006 with Washington...

"I came up with that because every time in batting practice [when] I was waiting for a ball to come down I'd drop it," Soriano said in an interview last year. "I said to myself, 'I don't want to wait for the ball to come to me. I'll get it.' "

That actually makes sense in a weird way. Any other time in any sport, you are always coached to go meet the ball instead of waiting on it, so I guess this is just taking it one step farther.

Thanks AF, that actually answers my original question.