Shoulders square or not?

[SSRock]

I think the first picture in the original post is a bit misleading. Joe West, for whatever reason; age, health, stubbornness, has an exaggerated angle in his plate stance. When instructors talk about getting an angle they mean probably about a 10 to 20 degree angle from the pitcher. Your entire body, including your head, should point in that direction. I usually try to find a post on the outfield fence or a tree that I can line my belt buckle and my nose with to get my angle. 

 

Although I don't agree with it, there are arguments for being square to the pitcher, however, safety should not be one of them. The force of the ball will be greater hitting an object that is square in front than one hitting the object at a slight angle, especially on the head and neck. 

 

Also, why turn your head towards the pitcher (and put that extra strain on your neck) when you can have your entire body at a the angle you need? 

 

Why move your head to track a pitch when you can just move your eyes, therefore keeping your head (and the camera) still? 

 

Plus there's the idea when you're square you are looking through a three dimensional through just two dimensions. I guess the long and short of it is I'm not too sure being square to the pitcher is the best idea.

[BalkHawk]

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[BalkHawk]

Next time we go out for Ice cream you get cherry and I get vanilla we will both be happy.

"it's an art, not a science"