question about MLBers after hitting homers

[Sooga]

Now keep in mind I've never played organized baseball in any capacity; my only experience is the occasional softball game or college beerball game.

I'm curious about why when a MLB hitter comes back to the dugout after hitting a homer, he often looks exhausted. He's panting and heaving, chugging back that gatorade like he just finished a 100m Olympic sprint.

Is it that physically taxing to hit a homerun/trot the bases? Or is it mostly adrenaline? I'd be willing to guess it's not really adrenaline-related because I see this even in meaningless games/situations.

[yeotaJMU]

obv its adrenaline and the rush of hitting a bomb

[Rubeskies]

[ QUOTE ]
Now keep in mind I've never played organized baseball in any capacity; my only experience is the occasional softball game or college beerball game.

I'm curious about why when a MLB hitter comes back to the dugout after hitting a homer, he often looks exhausted. He's panting and heaving, chugging back that gatorade like he just finished a 100m Olympic sprint.

Is it that physically taxing to hit a homerun/trot the bases? Or is it mostly adrenaline? I'd be willing to guess it's not really adrenaline-related because I see this even in meaningless games/situations.

[/ QUOTE ]

I haven't noticed this.

Also, are you confusing this with the sweaty and exhausted dudes after a round of the home run derby? Because that for sure is exhausting.

[LiveNow]

huh. I mean, in some situations (walk offs) it's because they get worked up rounding the bases. I don't think this is really true in general though.

[Matt Williams]

I've noticed the same thing. But it's always with a guy who doens't hit them regularly. I think it's the adrenaline. Look at a player like Shelley Duncan. He goes apesh!t for 20 mins. when he hits one.

[IlliniLou]

90 feet to each base = jogging for 360 feet/120 yards
if you can't jog for 360 feet without gettin winded, there is somethin wrong, especially if you are a pro athlete. it has to be the adrenaline

[prohornblower]

Not to brag but just as an anecdote, I hit a couple over-the-fence bombs in my adult mens league last summer and in each case I came back exhausted and slamming down some water. This goes all the way back to little league, but in that case it was because you had to run the bases due to no fence.

Not sure why this is the case, I think in each case I assume it's just a double to the gap and so I *nearly* sprint about 70 feet to first before I see it go out. Sprinting 70 feet has to take something out of you.

[Your Mom]

I think it's just fun to go to the water cooler, sip your beverage, and bask in the glory of hitting a bomb while your teammates ask what pitch you hit.

[MicroBob]

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after hitting a homer, he often looks exhausted. He's panting and heaving, chugging back that gatorade like he just finished a 100m Olympic sprint.

[/ QUOTE ]


I've never seen this.
Usually when they get the shot of the guy in the dugout after he hits his bomb he looks totally normal to me. Might still be talking with teammates, "Hey nice shot" "Gee thanks."
But they are just walking around and it doesn't look like any amount of exhaustion at all to me and never has.

[StevieG]

Maybe OP saw video of Prince Fielder's inside-the-park HR from this year.