Posted by: grc (grcrackel@yahoo.com) on Sat Jul 15 08:44:26 2000

>>> I want to know how much you favor Steve Ferroli's hip rotation model (by now, you are probably familiar with Hit Your Potential).
> > >
> > > In Hit Your Potential, it describes hip rotation in impressive detail. I will quote approximately three pages of a passage for the sake of presenting his argument.
> > >
> > > According to Hit Your Potential, assuming the batter has timed his swing correctly
> > > "If the hitter chooses to let the by, the pendulum movement will stop when the hitter lands. However, if he decides to swing, the pendulum will continue harmoniously into the rotation of the hips........when the hitter decides to swing from a position where his weight is evenly distributed from leg to leg, the bent front leg begins to extend, begins to straighten out, therefore pushing the front hip back and around the corner towards the catcher. Meanwhile, at the exact same time the back leg, which has also remained bent from the cocking motion, pivots on the ball of its foot. Due to its bent position, this thrusts the back hip forward and around its corner....
> > >
> > > Good technique demands two separate forces at opposite ends of the lever, pushing in unison from opposite directions. The result is a pinwheel-type movement--rotation of the hips by both legs......
> > >
> > > Note that if the front leg had not landed cotrrectly after the stride--if it had reached out.....extending the knee prematurely, the front hip would be left with no power source to push it. Now the hitter would have to rely solely on the rotation of the bent back leg, which is just not enough. Hittersb who reach out their stride leg by extending their stride knee prematurely are left with less momentum when it comes time to hit because they have eliminated a power source [Ferroli believes that '........the front leg is the stronger power source of both legs' (Figure 4-16), (Ferroli 49)]. It's much like asking someone to hop without first bending their knee. This is another reason the front knee must turn in during the cocking motion. The hitter is bending it more to be used later in the swing.
> > >
> > > Similar is the preparation and use of the back leg. If the knee of the back leg is not bent at least in the stance, the back hip will not thrust forward because its power source is a pivoting bent back leg. If that leg is not bent the hitter depends solely on the front leg for rotation, and again, that's not enough. Good hip rotation depends on the proper use of the legs for support." (Ferroli 48-50)
> > >
> > > Jack, your opinion on his model? <<<
> > >
> > > Hi BHL
> > >
> > > I wrote "Rotation and the Stationary Axis" which describes the above actions of the lead leg (and knee) in 1989. I'm not sure when Ferroli first described it.
> > >
> > > Mr. Ferroli and I do agree on how energy is developed by the body for the swing (Rotation and the Stationary Axis). But we teach very different principles on how that energy is transferred into bat speed. I teach "rotational" mechanics (circular hand-path and torque). He teaches "linear" mechanics (extending the hands in a straight line at the pitcher and snapping the wrist or whip action).
> > >
> > > Jack Mankin
> > >
> > Dear Jack,
> > I now fully comprehend that while you agree with Ferroli's hip rotation mechanics, you disagree with the linear path he believes the arms should take during the swing. I do, however, have another question concerning your site information.
> >
> > Your website research and section on "truisms and fallacies" argues that both legs contribute equally to hip rotation, while Ferrol argues that "'the front leg is the stronger source of power of both legs'" (Figure 4.16), Ferroli 49.
> >
> > My question is do you agree or disagree with his assertion, and why?
> >
> > Sincerely,
> > The Black Hole Lexicographer
> > Knight1285@aol.com
>
> Dear GRC,
> While Jack ponders over the question, I was just curious if you could just for an instant ignore credibility problems, appearance problems, and theories that might cause you to call his claim as "a batting authority into question." So, for a brief instance, putting the quarrelsary entaglements with Lau absolutes aside, let us look strictly at his hip rotation action.
>
> 1) Do you agree that the front foot is the stronger source of power in rotating the hips....THAT MAKES SENSE rather than both hips supplying equal power....even Schmidt claims one can "push" harder than he or she "pulls."
>
> 2) Does not Ferroli have the best hip rotation model available, relegating to just that mechanic? I believe he does.
>
> A response will be greatly appreciated; feel free to critique with evidence proving to the contrary.
>
> Sincerely,
> The Black Hole Lexicographer
> Knight1285@aol.com mr. lexico....to be honest with you, i threw the book away....he had so many bizarre ideas (lighted baseballs, etc) that i simply dismissed out of hand anything and everything he had to say....however, i do now see the benefit of having the book....if for nothing else than to critique the merits of his arguments as well as to make an honest evaluation , pro and con of his arguments....next time i'm at a bookstore where the book is available i'll pick one up....one last point, though on him and for that matter most other authors: there are not enough pictures....5 frames per swing is what is ideal to really see what someone is talking about....as much as i love mike schmidt's book, this criticism applies to him as well....grc....