Posted by: J () on Wed Apr 23 16:20:05 2003

I think what is being lost is the best of both styles,The step to the ball or rotational are both used by the greatest hitters of all time.Stepping to the ball gives the hitter the oppertunity to hit the outside pitch with power while still being able to rotate on inside pitches and the longest look at the ball.I am not sure that is one or the other but i would like to see your breakdown of maybe Wade Boggs(hands in and back),Tony Gwynn(all batting styles there are),Paul Molitor(no step) and Dave Winfield.Not sure but Winfield seemed to cleary step to the ball while mantaining some power.
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> J, the step is not the problem. Most hitters step to time the ball better. But shifting you weight is a problem. Once your stride foot lands, all weight shift is stopped and only rotational movement occurs. I believe that MOST hitters use rotational mechanics. Some do it better than others, and there are a few exceptions. Epstein put out a figure of 95% of Hall Of Famers use rotational mechanics or something like that.

I just want to clarify: the person who started this thread is "j". I have been posting under "J" and am not "j".