Posted by: Coach () on Sat Oct 11 22:03:37 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.
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> > 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.
> >
> > 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
> > Coach,your talking about how amateurs should learn to hit 1st then talking about catching up to 95mph fast ball.Not only do amateurs not catch up to 95 almost all well never see 95 in a game.Only a few elite college hitters well handle 95 and seldom come across it and they well do it with a metal bat not the logs M.L. hitters use.Also do you study these hitters you talk about in frame by frame,because if you do then we can figure out how to get the same video to each other and discuss what we see each frame do,that would help alot.I will admit at 95mph you do not have much time to hit the ball and to me that is why batspeed is important to catch up to it.So many amateur hitters are discarded because they cannot catch up to 95 with their mechanics so that is all they would ever see.
> As far as the swing goes I know it is a kinetic chain of events all firing in order,balanced ,synchronized to look fluid and if 1 part is off then it can throw the whole swing off.I have been taking about 300 swings a week trying to make sure I feel what I teach my students.What I try to do off the tee is just focus on taking the barrel to the ball and covering the ball with the bat.I do not think hips or shoulders anymore but they are there in order,if I want to think about them I can feel them lead but it sometimes takes my focus off the ball.The hardest part no matter what mechanics is to hit the middle of the ball.So my focus with hitters is eyes,mind,having a plan,fear is extinct,taking the pitchers head off with the ball so fast the blood is dry on it before it burns the center fielders glove hand.The hands are essential but if you focus on them too much you lose focus of the ball and for them to disconnect and go straight is as bad as dragging from disconnected to shoulder turn.The balance of them all is what makes things fluid.The clip of the kid from over top is dragging the hands,I have Rose in a full clip from same angle his hands are far more out front than kids at that point of rotation but the shoulders have been turning all along from beginning as well as hips.If they are not turning the chp well never be achieved.The hands cannot do the chp on their own and it begins right from the beginning. When I have been hitting I hardly feel the body it is all flowing but film shows everything firing.My hands do feel quick also,but when I try to go linear shoulder staying in on purpose and hands to the ball it can be a struggle .

Thanks RQL, just wanted your thoughts.