Posted by: Jack Mankin (MrBatspeed@aol.com) on Tue Apr 26 00:28:04 2005

>>> What gets you to the correct contact point sooner on a inside Fastball: CHP or an A to B extension swing? <<<

Hi Scott

A swing with CHP accompanied with BHT and THT requires 4 to 4 1/2 video frames (Bonds and Pujols) from initiation to contact for pitches middle-in. During that time, their hands travel about 22 to 24 inches. The hands of the average pro hitters with a straighter hand-path travels 6 to 10 inches farther and requires 5 to 5 1/2 frames.

Great hitters use THT to generate early acceleration of the bat-head (first rearward toward the catcher) and then apply BHT to accelerate the bat to contact. This allows them to bring the bat to contact before the back elbow extends out of the "L" position. Average hitters extend the hands (more A to B) to generate bat speed out in front of the shoulder. Their hands and back-elbow are nearing full extension at contact -- 6 to 10 inches past the "L" position.

Scott, as the linear (A to B extension) batter's hands are extending out farther and farther toward full extension -- is their swing getting shorter and more compact?

>>> What pitch location using a CHP will your hands remain inside the pitched ball? <<<

Have you ever seen Bonds' hands go 'outside' the pitched ball? Name me one pro hitter whose hands do go outside any ball in the strike zone.

>>> Is there a different CHP for different pitch locations...or is it the same? <<<

Scott, I can't believe you are actually asking these questions. Of course the hands take a wider path for outside pitches and a tighter path for inside pitches.

Jack Mankin