How long will it take MLB hitters to adjust to these defensive shifts that are now being devised and used against the hitters?

Both the infield shifts for dead pull hitters and spray chart type shifts have been used for decades. We used them in college for most every hitter and this was the early 1990's. Every hitter has tendencies. The spray chart shifts are used more at the MLB level where the pitchers will locate toward the shift. It's become part of the game and I don't see the hitters adjusting.

I think the basics of hitting are the same no matter how the defense is lined up.

1. Try to hit it hard so it gets passed the infield before they have time to react, and hit it low enough that the outfield can't run under it. Do that, and you're going to get base hits.

2. Hit the ball where the defense isn't. This is harder to do if they're loading up in the area you hit to naturally, but its still something every hitter should try to do. The ability to place the ball is always going to help you get base hits regardless of how the defense lines up.

Shifts are most often used against dead pull left handed hitters. Those hitters could try to hit to the opposite field, but they're unlikely to do so.

One tactic that I have seen work is for a LHB hitting against a shift to bunt down the third base line. It can make the defense look downright silly.

Infield shifts have been going on for decades. One in particular I remember was back in the 60's with what was called the "Killebrew shift". When Harmon Killebrew came up to bat, the second baseman joined the thrid baseman and shortstop on the left side of the infield.

The way to stop teams for doing it is to make them pay. That usually means going to the opposite field.

If a batter is mainly known as a pull hitter they will shift

so it is the batter that will have to change

55 YEARS, ******