Posted by: Jack Mankin (MrBatspeed@aol.com) on Tue Mar 18 17:05:45 2003

>>> your tilt-a-whirl analogy led me to research the conclusion that the interaction between a baseball bat and ball approximates what scientists call a chaotic system. (chaos results when the slightest change in the starting parameters of an interaction causes an entirely different end result) <<<

Hi Ray

The information below was on the site when it opened in 1998. It is part of “Swing Mechanics” (Frame #1) and contains the corner stone of my teaching philosophy.

Jack Mankin

Frame #1

"Initiating the swing"

How the swing is initiated is by far the most important part of the swing. How the batter develops energy for the swing and the direction of the forces he applies to the bat at this point will determine his mechanics for the balance of the swing.

"A ballistic motion, once initiated, produces trajectories that can only be efficiently changed at its margins."

Although the above biomechanical principle may appear complicated, once grasped it makes understanding and teaching the mechanics of the baseball swing far more clear. The principle basically means the batter does not have to remember when to "pop his hips," "squeeze the trigger," or any of other batting mechanic principles. Once the hitter has properly initiated his swing, the rhythm of the ensuing mechanics are on autopilot. From the launch position to follow-through, what to do with his front toe, hips, hands, and so on, need never enter the batter's mind. Forces he applied at the start of the swing determined the sequence of the following mechanics. Now, his total concentration is on timing and getting the plane of the swing inline with the path of the ball.