Posted by: Doug () on Tue May 13 21:18:42 2003

We talk about bat speed, rotational and non rotational hitting
> mechanics, but what do you do before you get to the point where
> the heel comes down and the swing starts? What approach do
> you use? Do you hitch to get started? Do you cock your knee to
> get started? Do you just stand there and then rotate? How
> important do you think a timing device is to your swing, and if so
> what is it? Much has been argued on this site about bat speed
> and rotational mechanics, but what about your feelings on how
> to load and time a pitch? Why is John Olerud successful and
> why is Julio Franco successful and why was Strawberry
> successful when all three had a different approach to hitting?
> >
> > Your thoughts please, Doug
>
> I would reinforce much of what rql and Bart said with some
> disagreement I'm sure on details.Balanaced at toe touch,but not
> only loaded,but still loading.definition of balance is tricky/
> complex.
>
> The rhythm of "batcock" reflects mostly the necessary sequence
> of back arm led loading.This arm action needs to be well
> synchronized with the lower body motion as well to get a good
> twist/load/coil.Many good hitters demonstrate this sequence of
> bat cock/uncock,which is a good way to learn as suggested by
> Bart,better than trying to describe how the knob turns or how to
> move the back arm to load.
>
> Hank Aaron demonstrates the phases of cock/uncock fairly
> dramatically.I think it is desirable to have the bat fairly vertical in
> the stance because lower bat positions can inerfere with good
> cocking/uncocking motion.Typical sequence is:
>
> 1-Bat tips slightly toward opposite batter's box-as hands come
> into middle and body flexes/bends at waist with beginning of
> stride foot lift/inward turn.
> 2-Bat cocks toward pitcher much as Bart describes as back arm
> internally rotates in synch with hip cock/internal rotation of stride
> leg
> 3-Bat drops back from vertical as back scap loads,this is during
> what Epstein describes as "winding the rubber band" as you
> stride toward toe touch.Back scap loading leads "counter-
> rotation on top as stride leg abducts,and before bottom half then
> rotates open to twist/coil.
> 4-Bat accelerates back toward catcher(?"THT") as back scap
> stays loaded,back arm begins to externally rotate down(back
> elbow leveled off with scap load and now starts down)into
> slot,lead arm internally rotates to continue torso loading/
> tightening connection,lead leg externally rotates as lower body
> rotates open by toe touch,body now twisting/coiling.This bat/arm
> action allows the hands to stay back and the loading to continue
> as the bottom half continues to rotate open.
>
> The individual style of the hittercan make a lot of this hard to
> see,but you can find it visually often enough that I believe the
> underlying biomechanical motion sequence is a desirable
> universal.
>
> It's a lot easier to just show how/when to cock/uncock the bat,or
> to find someone to emulate who does the sequence
> well.Rhythmic preswing activity should have the same sort of
> feel as the beginning of this motion.

Bart, Thanks for your post. I feel that the stride is a timing device and that it is a very individual thing for every hitter. Teaching a stride or no/stride is not someting that I would do. I would teach a youngster to find a stride or no/stride that is comfortable to him. The elbow going into the slot is only automatic if it has been taught or copied at a young age, and it is very important.1. It will put your hands in a good position to be palm up palm down 2. It will help lower your rear shoulder, which in turn helps you to swing into the path of the ball. 3. It will help you to not lunge with your upper body and 4. It will help keep your hands closer to your body.

If you do it automatically, it has come from imitation, or has been taught at a young age. If it is not taught or the player does not imitate a good player, he then most likely won't do it well.

If you want to make a good rotational swing, the hips will lead the hands. If you don't, that is cool, but success will be harder to find.
The hands don't go back, you walk away from your hands.

Tom, You have studied the swing, but I would like to know what you feel about timing in the swing leading up to when the front heel comes down. Your thoughts, not Mike's, Jack's or whoever. What would you tell a 14 year old with some athletic ability, but who is new to hitting and you want him to develop some rhythm and timimg before he starts his rotational swing.

Doug