Posted by: Mike Myers (mike.myers@bell.ca) on Thu Jan 13 20:55:40 2005

>>> The swing mechanic, as exhibited by top professional baseball players, is due (in part) to relatively fast pitch speed.
>
> If there is no swing time constraint, one should choose a greater rotational mechanic - one which takes longer to complete, but generates greater final batspeed.
>
> Do you agree? <<<
>
> Hi Mike
>
> No, I do not agree. Bonds, Sosa and hitters of the caliber use the most efficient mechanics whether swinging at a 95-mph fastball or a lob ball. If having more time would cause them to change their mechanics, why do they exhibit the same mechanics in the home run derbies while looking at 60-mph meatballs as they exhibit in game situations?
>
> Jack Mankin
>

60mph is 2/3 of peak. Thus, the batter must swing with 3/2 peak time constraint. This is still a short interval.

Consider a ball at rest on a tee. There is no swing time constraint.

Why not first raise the front leg up and back, and then swing it down to toe plant. After this, the hitter is in a position to begin the traditional swing - with added momentum.

This motion is observed in lob ball players swinging at very slow pitches - tossed lazily underhand. (Usually a 6'-12' pitch peak height restriction such that the pitcher cannot use gravity substantially.)

Mike.