Posted by: Jack Mankin (MrBatspeed@aol.com) on Sat Feb 4 19:24:46 2006

>>> Hi I purchased Ted Williams's book, The Science of Hitting and he says that he extends the arms to make the arc wider and to get the sweet spot to hit the ball. Is this good or did Imisunderstood anything in the book? Thanks <<<

Hi Tyler

I am not sure how you may intrepid his statement. When he states “he extends the arms to make the arc wider and to get the sweet spot to hit the ball.” – By “extends,” he is referring to extending his lead-arm back toward the catcher so that when he rotates, his hands will take a wider arc. Most clips of Ted’s swing show that his lead-arm is almost straight during rotation.

Keeping the lead-arm straighter (wider hand-path) can generate greater bat speed – if the batter’s transfer mechanics can keep the acceleration of the bat-head is sync with shoulder rotation. Average hitters mechanics drives the knob during initiation but leaves the bat-head trailing behind. This results in the bat falling behind the power curve and the straighter the arm the slower the swing.

Ted, like all great hitters, keeps the acceleration of the bat-head in sync with rotation by first gaining acceleration of the bat-head rearward before directing their energy toward the ball.
Shawn shows a good clip of Ted’s swing in one of his treads - http://s6.invisionfree.com/Hitting/index.php?showtopic=240&st=0#entry3810803 - Note the acceleration of Ted’s bat-head rearward from its vertical position before he directs his energy toward the ball.

Jack Mankin