Posted by: Jack Mankin (mrbatspeed@aol.com) on Mon Apr 26 02:00:04 2004

>>> Hello,

In the interests of trying to understand/comprehend/grasp what you are trying to reveal/convey/impart, I have once again reviewed just about all that you have posted on hitting an outside pitch. Please bear with me, as I’m trying to solve the problem - an articulation / comprehension gaffe. Unless of course, you feel that I am 100% at fault for not understanding. In which case, disregard the rest of what I am about to write - for then there is truly nothing either one of us can do. If you think that there is no one else out there like me (unable to understand you) then you are doing a great injustice to your readers. If you can honestly tell me that you share absolutely no responsibility in my not understanding what you are trying to convey, then conduct a poll of your REGULAR readers/posters (you know who they are) and if they agree with you, I will never post here again.

Our disagreement could, - no, does - , hinge on my capacity to grasp your verbalization of a physical act.

What we have here is a failure to communicate.

The communication is further exasperated by the fact that we are not communicating verbally, but by written word. And further, by written word without the aid of visual support.

Again, I’m trying to solve the problem.

There is more than one solution. One is a clarification of terms used, of defining verbs used.

Cast vs. extend, for instance.


Referring to hitting the outside pitch:

>“The great hitters can successfully pull outside pitches because they do not extend the hands as they initiate the swing.”<

>“As you rotate toward the 65-degree position the lead-arm will cast farther from the chest.”<

The problem here (at least as I see it) is that you are describing what is happening to the hands not extending, yet the lead-arm casting.

Can you explain to me the difference between casting and extending according to Mankin?

Does the lead arm ____ and the rear arm ______? <<<

Hi Ray

I agree that we may have a problem communicating with the written word. We could very well place different meanings on the same terms. In order for me to give you my best answer to your question, I will need to understand what meaning you place to the terms in your questions “casting” and “extending.” Once I can discern the connotations you place on the two terms, then I can point out the differences as I define them.

Please give as much explanation for your definitions as possible. We certainly do not want another failure to communicate.

(1) “Casting”
(2) “Extending”

Jack Mankin