Posted by: Jack Mankin (MrBatspeed@aol.com) on Thu Jan 13 11:03:04 2005

>>> is it bad if when you stride the toes are pointing towards the
pitcher or does it not matter? <<<

Hi Rick

First of all let me say, there are batters that point the toe toward the pitcher during the stride and still develop hip rotation for good rotational transfer mechanics. However, I have found while doing video analysis of hitter’s swings that when batters plant the foot pointing toward the pitcher result in more linear mechanics.

By linear mechanics, I mean they initiate the swing by driving the top-hand toward the pitcher. Striding with the foot open place them in a stronger position for driving the top-hand, similar to a boxer setting up to deliver a blow to an opponent’s mid-section. --- For rotational transfer mechanics, I prefer having the batter land with the toe more closed and then rotate open as the swing proceeds.

Jack Mankin