Posted by: () on Fri Oct 10 16:48:55 2003

RQL,
>
> Give me your thoughts on a couple of issues.
>
> Most everyone agrees that the front shoulder needs to stay in to a point, the problem I see with the Batspeed method or at least my interpretation is that an emphasis in front shoulder turn can pull one off the ball and create a shoulder turn that changes the spine angle through contact. In addition to pulling off the ball, this method also has the potential to create a disconnect with the arms and hands, there by creating excessive bat-lag, which often times leads to getting jammed and an inability to hit the inside pitch. In my opinion most amateurs have a poor harmony with the body and arms......meaning one is usually outworking the other. It is my opinion that the majority of amateurs are excessive with the body, thus leaving the arms behind. I believe the evidence is always in the balance maintained during and after the swing.
>
> Thus I want you to consider the following. My impression of a pure rotational baseball swing would have one standing next to a wall (front side of body) and the ability to hit that wall from the side, while leaving the front side closed. This particular move puts the body in the best possible position for leverage and allows the body to stay behind the wall. In order for this move to happen the arms and hands must lead, while keeping the shoulder in and then the shoulders are activated through contact for added power. Another way to look at it is this. The hands and arms have a considerable amount of more distance to travel than the shoulders do in the baseball swing, so leading with the shoulders puts the arms and hands in a poor position to catch up......and in fact rarely catch up. This is why amateurs get jammed on inside pitches and can't hit properly to the opposite field. So, while I understand the principles of accumulating batspeed (or the ball on a string methodology), the problem in baseball is that lack of time is most critical to the player. At 95 MPH time is crucial.......Boom, there it is, I know you know that. As a rule, what jacks sees as a straight left arm is really a loose left arm that is swinging from a loose shoulder socket. Depending on pitch location may or may not stay straight....(outside definitely straight, inside most likely not). It is this reporters position that most amateurs need to keep the shoulders closed period and then once they have the feel for loose swinging arms, they can then learn how to turn through the ball at the proper time. Rafael Palmeiro or Ken Griffey have perfected the timing of these moves in my opinion. Thus fast hands with loose shoulders (left in) can be a great teaching cue. Cranking the shoulders is not what these guys are doing, the are cranking the hands and arms (depending on grip strength and arm tension is what separates the free-flowing look or the tense jerky look. Hands and arms is the way, but it needs to be done right.
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> In my opinion,
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> I wanted your thoughts because you've seen the speed one needs to have in this game.
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> The barrel needs to come out at 95 MPH. I don't buy into the hands are flung rational. Do you really believe that RQL?
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> Respectfully,
>
> Coach C
>

By the way, what the shoulders should do is obvious if you agree rotation should be around the spine. Now the only question is are you going to have batspeed generated and supported by arm muscles or are you going to have a swing where the majority of the energy comes from the body? IOW, when do the shoulders rotate and what are the arms and hands doing at that time. Still gotta see a clip that supports what I understand your position to be. All the ones I've looked at don't. Assuming I understand your position.

As to when the shoulders rotate relative to the lower body, I refer you to Epstein. As to what the hands do relative to shoulder rotation, I refer you to Mankin and Nyman and any clip of MLB hitters executing game swings. Get the free quicktime download so you can watch it frame by frame. If you don't have a bunch of MLB clips just ask.