Posted by: Coach C () on Fri Nov 21 23:37:12 2003

>>> I, too, agree that there is a difference between bat quickness and bat speed. Bat quickness is how quickly you get the bat to the hitting zone while bat speed is how quickly the bat gets through the zone. <<<
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> > Hi
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> > I do not intend this to be confrontational, but I fail to see how a batter can get the bat-head from launch to contact quicker without increasing bat-head speed.
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> >>>This is an amusing thread......bat speed and bat quickness. Years ago, Toronto measured the bat speed of their players. Derek Bell was fastest in the mid 90's and John Olerud was the slowest at 79 mph. Olerud always hit the sweet spot and Bell, although he was a good player, did not approach Olerud in hitting and was below him in power too. Timing is what all good hitters have and when Olerud turns on a 95mph fast ball and hits a rocket, it is his timing that got the bat head to the right spot on time, not bat quickness or bat speed.
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> Doug
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> > I would agree with you Doug, quickness may be the wrong word. Call it....Flowing parts that keep the body in sync and head still and make the ball look slower. You're take on Olerud is exactly my point, just not sure the right word to use......I do know it's not Batspeed. Quickness is probably another bad word that implies over extending oneself.

Take care,

Coach C