There's a long going conversation about the benefits of live arm vs. pitching machine batting practice.

In a nutshell, here's how the debate sounds:

• The problem with pitching machine batting practice: the machine looks different than a pitcher, lacking the rhythm and timing you see with a live arm. The benefits of using a pitching machine are its consistency of pitches and unlimited energy.
• The problem with live arm batting practice: inconsistency of pitches and limited energy of pitcher(s). The benefit of having a live arm batting practice is that the hitter can practice rhythm and timing, unlike a standard pitching machine.

Ted Williams once said, "The greatest name in American sports history is Babe Ruth, a hitter." Pretty cool statement coming from the guy who hit over .400 in the Big Leagues.

Among other All-century players, Ted Williams used to talk about hitting the ball so hard and so good that he could smell the burn of how perfectly the ball made contact with the wood of his bat.

Hank Aaron cracked the bat so hard over a row of trailers that bordered the outfield fence that Ted Williams came running out from the clubhouse wanting to know who it was that could make a bat sound that way when it struck a baseball. 

And the legends go on and on. The great hitters of the game must have something in common, and their peers and many young players have studied their swings and approaches for decades. 

We've rallied up a few simple answers from the greats to answer the question: what are some practical ways of hitting the ball harder, faster, and farther? Check out these hitting concepts below.