Posted by: Jack Mankin (MrBatspeed@aol.com) on Fri Oct 31 22:33:55 2003

>>> How does this reconcile with Pro Hitters version of bat lag? He says the shaft needs to stay close to the shoulder as if it was pressed against it. He uses Bonds as an example and I see what he's talking about. Seems to me the bat is sliding then while the shoulders are rotating. <<<

Hi

I am not able to characterize Andy’s position on bat lag until he and I have a chance to clarify our differences – if any exist. --- Barry Bonds has his hands coming toward the back-shoulder as he initiates rotation. Therefore, the bat will of course be close to the shoulder as he rotates. But his bat is far from sliding linearly. Anyone viewing his swing should easily note the bat-head starting to accelerate in an arc back toward the catcher well before (during pre-launch) the swing is initiated. This is how he is able to keep the bat-head accelerating in sync with his body rotation so that the bat will be brought to contact as shoulder rotation is depleted. This is not the case when a batter extends hands while the bat-head trails behind.

Jack Mankin