Posted by: Johnny (Largelly@gmail.com) on Sun Apr 17 16:21:42 2005

> Hi Johnny
>
> I must completely disagree with your assessment of Pujols’ swing, as I have taped a large number of his games that show an across-the-plate view of his swing. The first movement of his hands (shown frame-by-frame) is straight toward the camera – that is perpendicular to the incoming ball.
>
> The clips you suggest are a frontal view and can not be shown in frame-by-frame (at least not with my computer). However, the fact that we can see: (1) that he has his hands hidden in his launch position at the 1 o’clock position. (2) He maintains a fixed lead-elbow position (no further flexing) during rotation. (3) He initiates the acceleration of the hands with the rotation of his shoulders about a fixed point. This means his hands MUST follow a circular path. At the top of that circular path (1 o’clock to 11 o’clock) his hands are moving perpendicular to the flight of the ball.
>
> Most average hitters have the first movement of their hands directed more toward the first or second baseman. This is because: (1) The hitters let their hands drift to the 11 o’clock position (not hidden) as they initiate the acceleration of the hands. (2) They use the arms to accelerate the hands instead of shoulder rotation. (3) They further flex the lead-elbow as they drive the top-hand forward (away from the shoulder) during initiation. In the worst case, it is a combination of the three. These are the mechanics that produce a more linear hand-path.
>
> Jack Mankin

Jack, can you briefly explain what you mean by 1 and 11 o'clock?