Posted by: Jimmy () on Mon Dec 17 23:48:52 2007

> Hi All
>
> Over next the few weeks, I will post video clips that address many of the topics of our latest discussions. The first clip will address the assumption that pitching and batting mechanics are so similar that the principles that apply to one are also true for the other. Below are exerpts from our discussion and a video clip that illustrates our differences.
>
> ##
> (George)
> hitting is just like throwing.. the mechanics are pretty much the same. when you throw a pitch, you use the rubber to push off your power or back leg...imagine pitchers who just stood there with no forward stride & just slung the ball up there... shouldn't you do the same thing when you hit?.. yes! bend your knee & push off your back toe... DO NOT STAND FLATFOOTED! REMEMBER MASS X SPEED = ENERGY. so just like throwing a pitch, push off your back leg & get your body mass going forward.. the faster, the greater the energy you are generating toward the ball..to stand stock still with no forward motion means you are generating NO energy whatsoever!!! HELLO?!?!?!
> ##
>
> (Jack Mankin)
> This illustrates just one of the problems of equating the mechanics of pitching a ball to that of swinging a bat. To say that since the development of forward momentum is required in pitching, it must also be true for hitting is misleading. Keep in mind that in hitting, forward movement of the body ceases at foot-plant and the batter rotates about a stationary axis. Whereas, in pitching, the upper-body continues to move forward after foot-plant and the pitcher rotates about a forward tilting axis.
>
> Many of the posts I have read appear to claim that the mechanics of pitching and hitting are basically the same and therefore what is true for one is also true for the other. I have always had trouble with comparing principles found in pitching a ball to the mechanics of the baseball swing. It seems to me that the dynamics of throwing a 5-ounce baseball with one hand would demand very different body and limb trajectories than those required to swing a 33-ounce bat with two hands.
>
> Look at the clip and draw your own conclusions.
>
> <a href="http://www.batspeed.com/media/Momentum_Pitching-v-Hitting.wmv">Pitching vs hitting mechanics</a --
>
>
> Jack Mankin

Jack,

After watching the clip you provided us, it seems that I have not made my point clear enough for you.

The differences that you have pointed out are the obvious differences that everyone can agree with. The pitcher doesn't have a bat in his hands and the hitter doesn't have a ball in his hands. The pitcher is on a mound and the hitter is not etc.

The point is that there are obvious similarities between the two that can be used as a teaching tool for a hitter that can relate to pitching.

How the front side is used in pitching directly affects the delivery in a positive or negative way depending on how it is used. So to say a pitcher doesn't use his front side is false.

How the legs are used in terms of load, rythm, and balance are probably the biggest similarities in hitting and pitching, yet you didn't comment on the lower half at all in your clip.

You have to notice how strikingly similar the lower halves look in your clip. The look similar because the are used similar.

Notice how both Bonds and the pitcher load to the back leg.

Notice how Bonds and the pitcher transfer the weight into the front leg.

Notice how both Bonds and the pitcher firm up the front leg at the point of contact and pitch release. This firming action transfers energy to the projectile (barrel for Bonds and ball for the pitcher).

Notice how both Bonds and the pitcher's back foot elevates off the ground because of this energy transfer.

Notice how both Bonds and the pitcher have the back leg flexed throughout the swing and pitch.

Notice how if you cover the top half of the pitcher from the belt up, you might even be fooled into thinking it was a hitters lower half.

The way both lower halves are used momentum is created. This momentum is used to power the back side in both hitting and pitching.

If the front side becomes dominant in pitching, control and armspeed are lost.

If the front side becomes dominant in hitting, control and batspeed are lost.

Both hitters and pitchers need to use the biggest, strongest muscles in their bodies to power their athletic movement...Their legs, not their lead shoulder.

However, I do agree that it does work some in both movements.

Jimmy