Posted by: Jack Mankin (MrBatspeed@aol.com) on Tue Oct 3 16:50:59 2000

>>>To kick off October's discussion, I would still like to know why we could have 60% weight on our back leg during the inward turn. If it's just a turn, where did 60% weight and 10 degrees tilt from the pitcher come from?.... <<<

Hi Ruben

Some batters take an inward turn prior to the stride while others incorporate the inward turn while striding. In either case, the tilt away from the pitcher is to bring the axis of rotation (spine) more perpendicular the incoming balls line of flight. An 85 MPH fastball will be angling downward at about 11 degrees as it passes the plate. So most batters have found their greatest success with a body lean of about 10 to 15 degrees. That will bring the swing plane more inline with the pitched ball's trajectory.

As the body tilts away from the pitcher, more of the body's weight is moved over the back leg.

Jack Mankin