Posted by: sportsdoc7 (sportsdoc7@msn.com) on Fri Dec 7 10:28:00 2007

> What do you think about no stride a all -- does this lessen power/torque generate?

As long as the lower body, hips, shoulders, arms, and wrists rotate, there will be energy transmitted through the bat to the ball. Again, Torque is a force measured in foot pounds and has a directional vector. The vector for torque on a right hand hitter is through the top of his head so it has little to do with power. Energy = mass x speed. If you can rotate your body around its axis as quickly without taking a stride as when you take a stride, and if you use the same bat, you will create the same amount of energy in both cases. The start of the rotation in the lower body, which proceeds sequentall until it finally reaches the wrists, is caused by a force created by the muscles acting on the skeletion. Shifting the weight from the back foot to the front foot can be done without taking a stride just as well as it can be done by taking a stride. This shifting of weight gives the muscles "something to push against" so that the force can be applied to the skeleton. Taking a stride may help by improving balance, but in and of itself does not create energy. The force from the muscles results in a transfer of weight from back to front but the energy is produced by rotation of the body around the spine). Again, Energy = mass x speed. Too long of a stride, or too wide of a stance can actually reduce the energy available in the swing by slowing the rotation of the body around its axis. Rotational speed of the body around its axis, along with the bat size, and center of mass are the determinants of the amount energy available to be transmitted to the ball. Stride may affect balance, timing,and length of radius etc., but only indirectly affects energy through these mechanisms.

Merry Christmas to all.

Sportsdoc7