Posted by: Doug () on Wed Jan 7 11:57:33 2004

>>> Then explain to us what forces you see that are initiating this swing and then explain what forces should be.
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> I see the bht. I see chp. I see good connection. I don't see anything but body generating this swing. I don't see the arms overworking. I see the hands staying back at the shoulder. I see a stationery axis. Are you saying the tht is missing. Can you really see that?
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> I realize it's quite a step from D1 (All American) to mlb. But I see a lot of good in this swing. <<<
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> Hi Lamber
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> Below is what I stated regarding the swing.
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> “Although this batter may have some of the pre-launch movements similar to a Bagwell or Bonds, there is a defining difference that makes this just another average swing. Bagwell and Bonds keep accelerating the bat-head as they bring their hands up toward the back shoulder and keep it accelerating right through the normal launch position. But instead of keeping the bat-head sweeping into the swing plane, this batter brings the bat to a complete stop behind his head before initiating the swing.
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> This difference would be similar to him racing Bonds in a 20 yard dash – but allowing Bonds to come flying by before he took off.”
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> Keep in mind that when I said it was “just another average swing,” I was only comparing his pre-launch mechanics to those of Bonds and Bagwell. How many Major League hitters would fare well when compared to those two. He may very well have many of the Absolutes in his swing. But I cannot give an accurate analysis of his swing based on one swing viewed from one angle.
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> Jack Mankin
>

Hi Jack, It is true that Bonds and Bagwell accelerate through the normal launch position, and Brett does not. I have thought about this and then researched it quite a bit too for its overall value. Piazza, Giambi, Chipper Jones and many others do not accelerate through launch and are very successful hitters. To accellerate through launch you need the same hitch as Bonds and Bagwell use to keep the bat in motion. Brett's hitch and stride are for timing and we have tried continuous motion with his hitch and he loses the timing that he desires. I feel that it is a style type of thing, otherwise all the great modern day hitters would use it. Years ago, many more hitters would hitch and try to keep continuous motion going. They did it out of nessesity if they wanted to hit with some power, as they used much heavier bats and most of them were not near as strong as today's players. With Brett's workout plan going strong, I don't feel that strength will be a problem with him. He is 6'5" and about 220 as a 19 year old and in a couple of years should be pushing 235-240 with ample strength. Nick has some clips of Brett in the cage taken from behind that he is more than welcome to put on his site for you to look at. In fact he has one where Brett is taking the ball to LT center and one where he is pulling the ball.

Doug