Posted by: Doug () on Tue Mar 25 17:23:30 2003

>>> My studies contemplated the assumption that a hitter was taking a workable swing. I don't see how a hitter could take a workable swing without opening both the hips as well as the shoulder. Therefore I never studied a situation where the hips opened but the shoulders did not. In fact, I have a hard time visualizing this type of swing.
> I do think the data suggests that while there may be some body parts that provide a greater contibution than other body parts, the body parts do indeed work together. Take away one element and you do not have a good swing. Attention needs to be focused on all the major body parts. <<<
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> Hi J
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> The reason I posed the question was to make a point that I have often discussed on the site. That point is: “Nothing that takes place below the armpits has any bearing on bat speed development – other than for their contribution to shoulder rotation.” Since the arms are connected to the shoulders (not the hips), shoulder rotation is required to transfer lower body energy (some call it a “kinetic chain”) through the arms and out to the bat.
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> There is no energy from hip rotation aiding in generating bat speed as long as the shoulders remain closed. Therefore, when a batter initiates the swing by extending his hands away from his back-shoulder, conditions that limit bat speed development start to occur. (1) A more linear hand-path (2) Delay in transferring energy from the kinetic chain. (3) Creates a disconnect (loose linkage) that inhibits rotational energy transfer when the shoulders do start to rotate.
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> Jack Mankin

Jack, If the hips don't rotate, the shoulders have nowhere to go. If the hips don't rotate you won't stay inside the ball. To say that "nothing below the armpits has any bearing on bat speed development other than their contribution to shoulder rotation" is saying a heck of a lot for the hips. Without the hips working properly, you will cut down your batspeed. Without the shoulders working properly you will cut down your batspeed. Without strong hands that work properly, you will cut down your batspeed. The hips allow you to stay inside the ball which allows you to create more batspeed. I asked this once before and did not get an answer. Why is it that all the power hitters in the big leagues have strong hands? Don't they know that the hands are just along for the ride.

Doug