Posted by: The Hitting Guru () on Thu Aug 5 11:05:19 2004

>>> Jack please (purchase) look at these two videos.
>
> 1. Batting with Ted Williams (plus the "Science of Hitting")
>
> 2. An hour of A Legend (Ted Williams)
>
> These videos should assist you in understanding Ted Williams' philosophies on hitting. He knows more than we give him credit for. He just puts everything in layman's terms. Note particularly that Ted does not have his bat pointing back at the pitcher much at launch. Neither did Kaline or Billy Williams in his video "Batting with Ted Williams. <<<
>
> Hi Hitting Guru
>
> I have had Ted’s book "Science of Hitting" for a number of years and have discussed his batting philosophies with his son.
>
> Although, cocking the bat-head toward the pitcher is a sound style for many batters, I have never taught nor advocated it. I prefer teaching George Brett’s style of transfer mechanics – with a softer stride.
>
> Jack Mankin



Please excuse me for not clarifying my point. In the first instance, I made a reference to the two videos. It was my intention to make you aware that in my opinion Ted did know what contributed to his bat speed generation. In a recent post, I believe you mentioned that you could not find anywhere were Ted made reference to what contributed to batspeed in his teachings. In "Batting with Ted Williams" video he specifically points out that in order to be quick with the bat the following must occur:

1. there must be a thrust of the hips in order to facilitate the rotation

2. a backward movement (cocking) with the hands and front knee in unison

3. the batter should do push ups, squeeze rubber balls, do pullups, (strength training), and the hitter should practice, practice, practice, swinging a bat that is heavier than what he is occustomed to swinging

As for the second point the precocking of the bat was not what I was refering to, I was refering to the cocking motion that occurs when the hitter takes his hands back in order to incorporate the spring like (rubber band) effect of going back and then coming forward. Actually, I do not believe the philosophies differ all that much except for the fact that with a pronounced weight shift (George Brett) it becomes difficult to keep both hands on the bat and stay balanced throughout the swing.

Lastly, I am sure that you are familiar with most of the philosophies on hitting including Ted's. My only concern is that though Ted was as intelligent as anyone with regard to hitting, he spoke in layman's terms. Therefore at times, we must interpolate the direction that he was going with his information in order to apply it to our discussion in our era.

>
>