Posted by: Jack Mankin (mrbatspeed@aol.com) on Sun Oct 5 02:32:54 2003

>>> Great bit by Pujols tonight on ESPN, talking about how to handle fast pitching. Keep the lower body quiet and be quick with the hands......let the pitcher do the work. He added that when he doesn't feel quick with his hands, he'll start jumping at the ball with his body. Joe Morgan agreed with Pujols. Pujols also added that when he's quick with his hands the body does what it's supposed to. Different strokes for different folks, but he is the National League Batting Champion.

The trick in being quick with hands is to not muscle the ball, but have loose quick hands. Driving past the ball is usally a result of a lower body that is doing too much work, creating bat drag and pull, plus poor balance. Taking controlled swings (10%, 20%, 30% and up)teaches one how to program the lower half correctly and feel the way the hands should work, in my opinion. <<<

Coach C

Well, it appears that Pulols, Joe Morgan and you are restating the linear theme of ‘throw the hands across a still body’. Pulols may have said: “Keep the lower body quiet and be quick with the hands.” -- But I believe a man’s actions speaks louder than his words. So let us take a look at his swing. Go to - http://webpages.charter.net/nickkio/Pujols01.mpg

Coach C, I am looking at a frame (bar slide about 2/3 of the way) that shows his hips and shoulders have rotated 70 to 80 degrees while the “hands are still back” at the back-shoulder. If fact, the back-forearm is still nearly vertical. -- I see no “quick hands and quiet body.”

Mike Epstien asks a great question, “Do we teach what we see?” I think it might also be wise to ask, “Do hitters swing like they say?”

Jack Mankin