Posted by: THG () on Thu Dec 20 16:47:17 2007

> > Should rearward tilt of the torso really be desired by hitters?
> >
> > I think that when a hitter experiences rearward tilt it is a competitive reaction to being a tad late with bringing the barrel to the hitting zone.
> >
> > As the eyes recognize the pitch coming in to the zone there is a sense that they may be slightly tardy with the barrel. As a reaction to this, the hitter slightly leans backward to help clear his body a bit more, bringing the barrel closer to the desired position at the point of contact.
> >
> > Here is a clip of Pujols on time (no backward lean!)
> >
> > http://www.teachersbilliards.com/cgi-bin/i/Hitzone/Pujols5.gif
> >
> > Here is a clip of Pujols a tad late with an on the fly adjustment (slight backward lean)
> >
> > http://www.teachersbilliards.com/cgi-bin/i/Hitzone/Pujols7.gif
> >
> > You'll notice that his head torso and back knee are all perpendicular to the ground when he is on time.
> >
> > Jimmy
>
>
> Jimmy,
>
> IMO you may have it backwards. In the clip that you say he is late, I say he is on time, and the clip where you say he is on time, I say he's a tad bit early and has to make an adjustment with his upperbody and slightly lean out for that ball. They are 2 slightly different pitch locations.
>
> Look again at those clips and tell me which one does he look more balanced and stronger in. In which clip is his body behind the bat. In the clip you say he is on time in you can see him reach out for the ball, make an adjustment.
>
> Graylon


Graylon. Good point. It also appears that in the first clip Pujols is restricting some of his movement in an effort not to overswing.

In the 2nd clip it Pujols is using more energy and has an overall more aggresive move toward the ball. His aggressiveness is seen as his back foot comes completely off the ground while coming forward significantly. His hip turn as well as his core turn are much more dramatic as well.

THG