Posted by: BMill (brumil2@hotmail.com) on Thu May 8 12:20:42 2003

I have read all the batspeed and swing mechanics articles on this site and I tend to agree with most of the research. However, I would like someone to explain if the exact same batspeed can
> be achieved be two players of say 10 inches in size difference. For example I coach 13 year old
> kids and I look at two players one 6 foot the other 5 foot. It would appear to me that the 5 foot kid is swinging the bat with much greater speed than the 6 foot kid who has a painfully slow
> swing velosity. Yet the 6 foot kid with the slow swing hits the ball three times as far and with much greater force. It would appear to me that size and strength are primary factors. Could someone explain why this seems to be case and how that applies to the swing velosity theory.

I would think it would have to do with overcoming the inertia of a ball coming at you at x-miles per hr. The bigger player has bigger and strong wrists and even though slower can overcome ball inertia better than the smaller player. The bigger player probably also uses a heavier bat also a contributing factor. Using the ax as an example, the big guy will cut the tree down faster even though his ax is way slower. Against a fast pitcher though, my money is on the small guy to get the hit. This is a great question. Can't wait to see the regulars put the technical explanations on this.