Bat Speed -- Baseball Hitting Forum

Posted by: Jack Mankin (MrBatspeed@aol.com) on Sun Nov 18 23:21:32 2007

>>> Jack,

You ask: "For clarification, when you submit that forearm extension is a factor, are you referring to widening the hand-path, or in the angular acceleration of the bat?"

I believe it relates to both. First let me stress that I am not talking about radical extension to the extent that the hand path becomes linear and totally disconnects the bat from rotation. When the forearm begins extending (off of axis 3) after the lag position, a wider hand path is created and at the same time angular acceleration of the bat is retarded. As the hand path widens, conservation of energy results in retarding of the inner links of the system (i.e. axis 1 & 2). This in turn puts the front shoulder in position at the right time to not only allow the bat to reach further outside but also to do so when the ball is in a good position to be hit to the opposite field.

In your statement “Whereas, we found there was little to no rotation around Axis 3 with rotational transfer mechanics”, the word “little” is important. I believe forearm extension movements involved in this are indeed “little”. I believe the outside strike requires “little” extension, while the inside strike requires “no” extension.

The side-by-side comparison of the same batter hitting the two different locations will be excellent. <<<

Hi JTW

We are one the same page. Your statement, “When the forearm begins extending (off of axis 3) after the lag position, a wider hand path is created and at the same time angular acceleration of the bat is retarded.” tells me you have a good understanding of sound swing mechanics. Extending a bent elbow after the lag position is a major factor of “bat drag.”

Far too many coaches believe the width of the hand-path is mainly governed by the extension (or straightening) the lead-arm. However, the plate is 17 inches wide and extending a 60-degree bent elbow only extends the hands 2 to 3 inches wider. Your emphasis on lead-shoulder turn is well founded, as I will point out soon.

Jack Mankin

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> >>> Jack,
> 
> You ask: "For clarification, when you submit that forearm extension is a factor, are you referring to widening the hand-path, or in the angular acceleration of the bat?" 
> 
> I believe it relates to both. First let me stress that I am not talking about radical extension to the extent that the hand path becomes linear and totally disconnects the bat from rotation. When the forearm begins extending (off of axis 3) after the lag position, a wider hand path is created and at the same time angular acceleration of the bat is retarded. As the hand path widens, conservation of energy results in retarding of the inner links of the system (i.e. axis 1 & 2). This in turn puts the front shoulder in position at the right time to not only allow the bat to reach further outside but also to do so when the ball is in a good position to be hit to the opposite field. 
> 
> In your statement “Whereas, we found there was little to no rotation around Axis 3 with rotational transfer mechanics”, the word “little” is important. I believe forearm extension movements involved in this are indeed “little”. I believe the outside strike requires “little” extension, while the inside strike requires “no” extension. 
> 
> The side-by-side comparison of the same batter hitting the two different locations will be excellent. <<<
> 
> Hi JTW
> 
> We are one the same page. Your statement, “When the forearm begins extending (off of axis 3) after the lag position, a wider hand path is created and at the same time angular acceleration of the bat is retarded.” tells me you have a good understanding of sound swing mechanics. Extending a bent elbow after the lag position is a major factor of “bat drag.”
> 
> Far too many coaches believe the width of the hand-path is mainly governed by the extension (or straightening) the lead-arm. However, the plate is 17 inches wide and extending a 60-degree bent elbow only extends the hands 2 to 3 inches wider. Your emphasis on lead-shoulder turn is well founded, as I will point out soon. 
> 
> Jack Mankin

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