Posted by: Jack Mankin (MrBatspeed@aol.com) on Thu Jun 16 12:08:54 2005

>>> In viewing the web page under "Bat Speed Research" specifically; "Rotation and the Stationary Axis" page, I was viewing the animation of the batter with the red axis line drawn during the batter's body during rotation. My question is this, viewing this animation from batters side, the angle of the batter's axis is obviously shown with the head tilted closest toward the catcher than the bottom point of the axis where it would represent being "...stuck in concrete...". If I was to view this animation from the batter's front side i.e. from the pitcher's view, would the batter also appear to have a slight angulation where the batter's head would body would have a slight angulation where the head was tilting closest to the plate and body angulating from this point back down to his feet which are in the batter's box? Or does the batters assume a more up and down angulation from the front view? Sorry if this appears to be a dumb question, but several boys on the L.L. Majors team that I assist in coaching don't angulate their bodies with the head closest over or nearest the plate when viewing from the pitcher's vantage point. They aren't grasping this concept and appear to be more up and down with this axis.

Am I incorrectly teaching something here?

Thanks for your help.<<<

Hi Gibsta

A view of the batter from the pitcher’s mount shows that the amount the axis tilts toward the plate varies from batter to batter. Most will assume the “poised for action stance’ similar to the ready position of an infielder (like Sosa). However, there are a number of good hitters that stand more erect (Griffey Jr). So the axis of rotation is normally tilted both toward the plate and back toward the catcher during rotation.

Jack Mankin