Posted by: Dave A () on Sun Apr 20 09:34:18 2003

>>> Just so you know, A-Rod is a hybrid hitter. He is a combination of a rotational body and linear "hands straight to the ball" hitter. <<<
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> > Hi
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> > And overhead view of A-Rod’s swing would show his hands follow a circular path. About 50% of all great hitters bat speed is generated from the angular displacement of their hands (the balance from torque). If A-Rod did take his "hands straight to the ball", we would never have heard of him - at least not at the top of the charts. Unless you know of a force that he is applying to the bat that we are not aware of.
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> > Jack Mankin
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> I am a bit confused. Could anyone direct me to a video clip showing Arod hitting off of a flexed front leg? The two clips (both side view) that I have of him show a distinctly straightened, if not locked, front leg at contact, and I see little indication of the "hands to the ball" mentioned above. The rear elbow stays tucked in the slot until just prior to contact.

Just look at pictures of him at contact point, it is still flexed minimally but his leg is NEVER locked. His swing then proceeds to take him over his front leg. Alber Pujols and Manny Ramirez are two other hitters that do this at times (Pujols swing is always like that but I have seen Manny's leg fully locked at time and others he wasnt). The comment about Bonds being the best hitter is arguable, IMO he is not the best hitter. He is the best power hitter we may have ever seen in baseball, but the best hitter ( smartest and flat out most skilled at the plate) I doubt that.

Jack wouldnt a hybrid hitter, incorporating the best of both worlds ( rotational and linear ) be ideal? Taking the hand path (torque etc..) and body rotation of the rotational swing and incorporating the leg drive of the linear swing. Its just a thought, what would be the flaws of it ?