Posted by: Graylon (g_dunc@hotmail.com) on Thu Nov 22 10:54:40 2007

> > Mike,
> >
> > The downfall to "leaning back" is that the bat position in relation to the body is improved by the movement of the body in space and not by the movement of the bat in space. This means the bat is actually not moving through space with the same velocity as if the body were stationary. Bat-speed is slowed down.
> >
> > Leaning back is not a desired reaction by hitters. MLB hitters do not lean back on purpose, it is an adjustment made on the fly as they battle to get the barrel to the ball.
> >
> > Ideally the torso should be vertical.
>
>
> A moving axis of rotation at the point of contact (other than rotation) is not desirable whether it is backward, forward, or sideways. Such movement upsets the balance of THT and BHT and affect hand path.
>
> Posture, on the other hand, is very important. Posture is correct when the stationary axis of rotation is oriented 90 degrees to the line of the pitch. Therefore a slight lean toward the catcher at the moment of contact is actually desirable. What is the exact perfect posture? That depends on pitch speed and whether it’s a baseball pitcher on a mound or a fastpitch softball pitcher with no mound. Except for the fastpitch rise ball, all pitches in both sports track in some kind of downward path across the plate. Swing analysis software quickly makes it easy to see the relationship of posture to pitch line.
>
> JTW

Mike,

I tend to agree with JTW your body should be as close to 90 degrees to the plane of the pitch as possible. If you try to stay vertical you will not be able to match the plane of most ptches. Remember that once you start going most of your energy will be moving forward which will want to also pull your torso forward and if you are vertical with your torso then you will be pulled forward. You need to counter acted this momentum by pulling back with your head which will in turn bring your torso back to counter act the forward momentum and help you stay on plane.

Graylon