Posted by: Dave A (oxagin@hotmail.com) on Mon Dec 8 09:25:41 2003

>>> Andy,
>
> I threw this together this morning, just for fun. ;)
>
> It only took about 10 mins. tho.
>
> http://members.cox.net/wclittleleague/Andy%20vs.%20Gonzo%20-%20swing%20planes.gif
>
> Enjoy,
> Sandman <<<
>

> Hi Sandman
>
> You did a great job of getting the two swing clips to sequence together. As you may have noticed, I seldom comment on a hitter’s mechanics from a single swing clip with one position to view. However, an important batting mechanical principle can be pointed out by comparing the difference in the transfer mechanics of these two swings.
>
> For the batter to generate maximum angular bat-head displacement (earlier bat speed), the hands must be accelerated into a circular path at initiation (like swinging a ball on a string). In order to produce the most efficient circular hand-path, the batter’s transfer mechanics must launch the hands on a path more perpendicular to the flight of the incoming ball. --- From the positions shown in these two clips, the hands should be initiated fairly straight out toward the camera.
>
> As Gonzo initiates his swing, the trajectory of his hand-path is first directed perpendicular (top of the circle) to the path of the ball (a 90 degree angle to the ball), whereas Andy’s mechanics launch his hands more parallel to the ball (45 degrees to the ball). This means that Gonzo will generate greater bat speed and bring the bat to contact farther back in the swing (back-arm less extended).
>
> There is another important bio-mechanic principle to keep in mind. --- "A ballistic motion, once initiated, produces trajectories that can only be efficiently changed at its margins." --- This means a batter cannot launch his hands more parallel to the ball (or a fence), and later develop an efficient hand-path.
>
> Sandman, we are running out of space with this thread. Therefore, I am starting it as a new thread.
>
> Jack Mankin
>

I think tom mentions the "hands back longer" in Lugo's clip but here is an interesting thing I noticed about accelerating the bat head to the ball at a maximum speed from these two clips.
There are 5 frames until they both make contact. If you watch Andy his hands move more in the first three frames to the ball than Lugo's do. Then in the 4th u see a larger movement from Lugo to the ball most likely from a significantly greater batspeed before contact. Its interesting to note this batspeed was created with less forward movement from the hands before the 4th frame by Lugo compared to more foreward movement from the hands by Andy.
Maybe I'm misinterpreting the frames, dont know, but I just thought I would throw this out there.