Posted by: Teacherman () on Fri Nov 23 17:09:41 2007

Nice try.

Diversion attempt.

Strawman argument.

Where did I say "his fastest" batspeed is behind him?

There is a huge difference between getting the bat up to speed....or early (behind him) as compared to later.

That difference separates the high level swinger from the amateur.
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This is an excellent clip showing the difference.

And, even though it may appear to be a "slight" difference to you, the difference is HUGE....especially when in the batters box.

http://www.teachersbilliards.com/hitzone/Bondssteve.gif

Notice the barrel path differences.

The hitter on the left pulls the knob of the bat with shoulder rotation to get the barrel going. There is no early barrel speed angularly. In fact, his barrel won't reach it's best speed until the hands have taken a hard right...pulling out of the hitzone....a result of the finish of rotation. At that point the barrel will "fly off the merry go round" into contact. That is a long swing. A long swing that takes a long time to develop. Useless in teh batters box.

Bonds, on the other hand, does not pull the knob. He does not direct energy down the length of the bat. He "turns" the barrel around a pivot point....around his hands....with his hands/forearms....rearward....at "go". Notice the lateral tilt of teh shoulders at "go". Notice he does not "maintain a box" but instead "rotates a triangle" (formed by the two forearms and the chest) around its apex, the hands, as he rotates his forearms (supination of the top forearm; pronation of the lead forearm), and as he laterally tilts his shoulders at "go".

Two completely different patterns. One with the barrel's axis of roation being the spine (the amateur). The other with the hands being the pivot point for the barrel to rotate.

This "early" batspeed....early in the swing process....allows a higher "adjustability" factor....it allows a later "go"....which results in a longer look and better decision making.

##
Jimmy,

Who you've stood next to doesn't impress me.

I have stood next to a couple of the players in the link also.

And, I communicate regularly with one of them about hitting.

But I don't need to play that card. I will stand on my analysis....and how it matches the video of the mlb swing.

Too bad you can't support your claims.