Posted by: Graylon (g_dunc@hotmail.com) on Mon Dec 10 08:36:48 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
> >
> > Not bad information but many hitters have wide stances (WIder than shoulder width apart) Pujols Big Papi,Bagwell,sheffield,Jeter,giambi,andrew jones,holliday, and many more big names. Short stances frank thomas, Pudge, babe Ruth, and many more. Big Strides Frank thomas Babe Ruth SHeffeild Garret anderson steps in the bucket so does sheffield, Jeter Giambi, pedrioa, and of course sammy sosa. SHort stride Pudge, Barry,1st baseman for the phillies forgot his name. So you see stance does not matter, stride matters to an extent not really and stepping in the bucket doesn't matter either. Many of the great hitters do this and they are extremely successful. Oh but he's big papi he can can get away with that. No it's because what he does mechanically that makes him better than 90 percent of hitters in the world. The same for all of the above.
>
> mikey, mikey, mikey!
> you never rebut anythiing sportsdoc says with any specifics about the physics involved.,.. instead your argument is all those overpaid morons are doing things wrong, it's ok becasue they are very successful... WRONG!!
>
> they are very successful to the extent they are making ungodly $$$... they still fail to get a hit 70% of the time.. any hitter worth his salt is ready to admit he has weaknesses & can improve.. YOU on the other hand, say all is well, & defend those guys with cocked up stances & swings by saying a too wide stance or stepping in the bucket is fine, because all those guys are doing it... that's a monkey-see-monkey-do attitude.. WRONG!! you cannot understand there is a better way, which does not contravene the LAWS OF LOGIC & PHYSICS.
> NOTICE TO EVERYONE ON THIS SITE: ACCORDING TO MIKE, STANCE DOES NOT MATTER... SO GET IN THE BOX, LAY DOWN ON YOUR STOMACH, HOLD THE BAT WITH YOUR FEET, & YOU WILL HIT JUST AS WELL AS ANY OTHER STANCE YOU CAN COME UP WITH.. oh brother.. some people just ain't NEVER gonna figure it out.

George,

You are the one who will never figure it out!!! Remember who your "god" of hitting was, Paul Molitor. I think I remember you Writing Some thing about, steps in the box, hands up and back, lands on a closed front foot and hands to the ball "WHAM", perfect. HE GETS OUT 70% OF THE TIME. HIS CAREER BATTING AVERAGE WAS .306. KIND OF BLOWS HOLES IN YOUR THEORY DOESN'T IT? He does things the way you preach, he is your "god" but he still gets out 70% of the time.

Your stance in the box is personal style=individual. yes if you want to start by laying down in the box and can get up and get to a good hitting position, Technique= universal and hit the ball for a .300 average then who cares. Stance personal style is a comfort factor a timing factor, what works for the individual.

George you really have no clue!!!

Graylon