Posted by: Jack Mankin (mrbatspeed@aol.com) on Mon Feb 16 17:49:48 2004

>>> Thanks.I read that post before you posted and I can see where crowding the plate will derease bat speed while still trying to get the meat of the bat on the ball. Lets say you take up the position (or pose) just where you think the bat meets ball for a middle strike. To come up with the best place to stand in relation to the plate, where do you think the end of the bat should be in relation to the outside edge of the plate so you will get the most advantage (or best hit) out of the rotational swing for wherever the strike is located?
Sorry for these dual questions but here goes. Would you recommend adjusting the bat tilt to the speed of the pitcher? ex. a slow pitcher- at prelaunch tilt end of bat more towards the pitcher and if faceing a real fireballer maybe even tilting slightly toward catcher (or 3rd base) My daughter might be playing college softball and she has already seen some of them in travel summer ball and it is unbelievable the small reaction time that is required. I'm thinking it might be better just to setup the same way everytime and not have one more thing to think about. <<<

Hi Brumil

I would definitely suggest your daughter use the same mechanics every time. It is tough enough to find a good swing rhythm with one set of mechanics. – Where she sets up in the box would depend on the type of mechanics she uses. If she uses the mechanics most fastpitch hitters are taught, I would have her take a position for pitches in the mid-part of the plate and wait for a good pitch to hit. Even if she moves in 2 or 3 inches, she still will not be able to hit the outside pitch with authority and with linear mechanics she would normally have to “inside-out” pitches inside to be effective.

If she is practicing rotational transfer mechanics and can bring the bat perpendicular before the back-arm extends (still in the “L” position at contact), I would have her move in 2 or 3 inches. Bottom-hand-torque will allow her to generate good bat speed for pitches on the inner 2/3rds of the plate. But little BHT can be applied on pitches in the outer 1/3rd. By moving in, she cuts down on her weaker area and can still get the bat perpendicular when jammed.

When, or if, she becomes proficient at accelerating the bat-head back toward the catcher (THT) before rotating and directing her energy toward the ball, I would have her move away from the plate a little. When a hitter has developed a good CHP and is proficient with both THT and BHT, they can generate good bat speed over most of the strike zone.

Jack Mankin