How long do batters 'keep their eye on the ball?' Eye and head movements differ when swinging or taking a pitch. Where are baseball batters looking during the fraction of a second when a pitched ball is in their air? Their visual tracking strategies differ depending on whether they're swinging at the pitch, reports a study. Source 8d.
This is really good research. I've personally always wondered how they were able to see some of those fast balls pitched by the best pitchers in the league. In the end I wonder if there isn't an element of luck involved.