Posted by: Shawn (mariner0324@yahoo.com) on Sat Jan 7 11:06:51 2006

>>> Hi Jack,

I agree with you that a swing plane problem might be a bigger issue then batspeed and quickness.

But, from what I've taken away with some of the discussion is trying to hard or reaching the highest batspeed as possible, can lead to a longer swing. Take longer to swing rather then staying quick.

For example, the first time I ever recorded batspeed I also video taped the session. The swings were just awful, long, over swinging, you name it. There must be a goal of remaining quick with affective mechanics.

There many ways to look at it , short, explosive, accelerating quickly, etc, etc,. As I continued to work on batspeed readings, and video taping I was able to significantly increase my batspeed without over swinging or just trying to swing hard. My technique improved and so did the batspeed.

All I know is you want to remain quick as well as increase your batspeed. The tell tale sign you comparing your swing next to a pro and see how much earlier you start your swing, or if you can match their quickness (which they are very quick).

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Hi Shawn

You state, “For example, the first time I ever recorded batspeed I also video taped the session. The swings were just awful, long, over swinging, you name it. There must be a goal of remaining quick with affective mechanics.” – When we say a swing is ‘long’, are we saying the distance the bat-head traveled from initiation to contact was ‘longer’? Or, are we saying the bat-head may have traveled the same distance, but due to inefficient swing mechanics, the swing took a ‘longer’ time to accomplish.

I think it would be helpful for our discussions if we had a clear definition of just what we mean by a “long swing.” – Longer bat-head travel – longer hand travel – longer time – longer what?

Your thoughts would be appreciated.

Jack Mankin

Hi Jack,

Usually by definition it takes longer to swing. The bat head might travel the same distance, but it takes longer to swing.

Quickness is something I look at when comparing a amateur to a ML hitter. This goes back to my question I asked, what is a short swing? A quick swing and short swing are intertwined together. A ML swing is very quick. They all have quick swings, as Ted Williams said quickness is the root to bat speed. Batspeed isn't the root to quickness. You can have good batspeed and not be very quick. It might go both ways, but I agree with Ted that quickness is the root to batspeed.

When you compare amateurs they will often start the swing before a ML hitter. So it takes them longer to perform the swing, while it may or may not mean the bat takes a longer path. Everything you want, wait, hands back, etc., is tied into a quick swing. Another Ted Williams saying that Epstein talks about is Ted saying "wait and be quick".

Quickness isn't about some little pepper swing. Quickness is a real value of the ML swing that can be seen and measured against other hitters. While ML swings are all about the same, amateurs are not always in the same ball park. And this is easily identified through synced side by side comparisons.

I will search through some clips to see if I can find one that shows a long and short (quick) swing.

www.baseballandfastpitch.com