Posted by: Mister X () on Thu Apr 24 07:23:32 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.
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> > I just want to clarify: the person who started this thread is "j". I have been posting under "J" and am not "j".
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> Mr. X, Most hitters do stride when hitting and most use it as a timing device. Most major league hitters are rotational too. Where I disagree is when you say that when the stride foot lands, all weight shift stops. A few hitters can get their weight to the balance point and then just rotate, but most rotate up against their front side which helps keep them from going forward any farther. I feel that it also helps coordinate the rotation of the hips and shoulders and provides a little more power too. Most are striving for the perfect swing, but the perfect swing is different for many players. Check out Stan Musial vs Ted Williams, Jim Rice vs George Brett, Frank Thomas vs Rafael Palmerio, Alex Rodriguez vs Barry Bonds. Every one of them were different, but all of them are/were great hitters. Musial hit up against his front side, Williams was rotational Bonds and Palmerio have the great balance point and Brett, Rodriguez and Thomas are more linear than most. Your body and your talent will dictate which is the best way to swing the bat. You can learn from many teachers, but the hard part is to figure out what is good for you and what is not. A great teacher will help you figure it out and keep you on the right tract.
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> Doug


I agree 100% that you have to find the right swing for you body. Different people have different sizes, flexibilities, ect. That is why trying to clone hitters is not good. As Epstein says, everyone has their own style (pre-launch), but their technique is very similar. A person's style is based on what is comfortable to them.

I also think we agree about weight shift. Rotating up against your front leg does keep your weight from going forward. So does finding a balance point after you stride and rotating around that. As long as you keep your weight from continuing to come forward after the stride foot lands you are fine. Letting your weight go forward after your foot lands (lunging) will cause major problems.