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I know there are a few exceptions...



...but why the hell don't pitchers take batting seriously?



Are they simply groomed from youth to focus on pitching?



Are the muscles used in hitting a detriment to pitching?



Is there not enough time in a week to improve both hitting and pitching?





I see some of these NL pitchers whimper on up to the the plate like a dog with it's tail between it's legs...like they are letting their team down...or others with the coordination and swing of a 5 year old.



It just seems if there IS time to practice...there should be better hitting pitchers. I guess that the ability to throw 90 plus accurately is rare, and that of those rare atheletes...the odds of them also being good hitters is poor.



~Lance

With the huge salaries and the propensity for injuries, there probably is a reluctance to have pitchers work extensively on hitting. Didn't Mike Hampton re-injure himself while batting in spring training? And he's one of the rare pitchers who swings the bat well.



Kevin

It was actually interesting to hear some talk in the Chicago area that Zambrano would not want to go to an American League team if and when the Cubs blow his deal because he wants to get his at-bats.

Miach Owings is another hitter , hitting over 330 in the minors last year and smashing a line drive sigle up the middle yesterday.

Jason Marquis is another pitcher who can hit.