Posted by: Jack Mankin (MrBatspeed@aol.com) on Fri Feb 15 20:36:55 2008

Jack, Thanks for your site. My boy 12 yrs is on his way with rotational. He has more power than w/ linear which he was first taught. I would apprieciate ---your---- views on using pitching machines and their proper training use. My boy can catch the 45to55 but any faster he has trouble, His pre launch back movement {seems} to contribute to his being late. It is very hard to time this w iron mike.Please explain fully the best training technique for timing fast pitches.

Hi Coach Dad

I am not in favor of pitching machines set at higher speeds. Good hitters start setting the rhythm of their swing to the rhythm of the pitcher’s windup. Seeing a ball of higher velocity suddenly appear does more to produces tension in the arms and shoulders rather than promoting the loose ever accelerating swing we see in the better MLB hitters.

Coach, sound rotational principles accelerate the bat from launch to contact much quicker than linear principles. This is because rotational mechanics rely on the larger muscles of the legs, torso and shoulders whereas linear mechanics rely to heavily on the smaller muscles of the arms. With rotational mechanics, the batter keeps his hands back and allows the rotation of his shoulders to accelerate the hand into a CHP and apply the torque (BHT) that accelerates the bat to contact.

Below are a couple video clips that illustrates practicing rotational drills and the resulting swings.

Aaron/Julie from Final Arc

Balko and Mesa CHP – not driving hands

Jack Mankin