Posted by: Jack Mankin (Batspeed@verizon,net) on Thu Feb 21 11:56:06 2013

>>> I was informed that pitching speed mostly (about 80%) comes from hip & shoulder separation.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yEpdoAZiHWQ (3 components on Chapman's pitching velocity) (includes shoulder turn & torque). To be more specific, pitcher's front hip and his back shoulder separation creates massive torque.

From this perspective, will this technique work on increasing bat speed? I'm asking you this because I know that Ken Griffey Jr turn his front shoulder inward as he strides. I also know that Bonds has done similar thing as he made his stride. Is that where torque comes from in hitting? (I did see Griffey Jr vs. Bonds, lead arm, back arm videos) <<<

Hi Yohan

First, I would point out that the type and muscle groups used to accelerate lighter objects with one hand are very different than those needed for swinging a heavier object located 30 or so inches away with two hands. Also, I would attain faster angular velocity of a 3 ounce plastic bat just using the smaller but faster wrist muscles with one hand than with a good two-handed baseball swing. So what might be best for one ballistic motion may be inadequate for another.

In the pitching motion, the momentum of the upper-torso continues forward to propel the baseball. However, below are links to a couple of my Youtube videos that shows this is not the case in the baseball swing. Attaining maximum separation between hip and shoulder rotation may produce a faster thrown ball, but does not aid in generating bat speed.

Rose -- Hip to Shoulder Rotation

Momentum & Hip Rotation

Jack Mankin