Posted by: nick (rvphog4@yahoo.com) on Wed Feb 15 16:59:44 2006

I would have to disagree and say that maximum bat speed is not achieved by being fully extended at contact. Let's say a hitter was; ....This would mean that the barrel leading up to the point of contact (if fully extended at contact) would cut the hitter's swing off. In short, the "Powere V" you speak of, is achieved just after contact and through the ball. If a hitter is at the power v at contact, he has wasted valuable bat speed. To many times you hear this and it is very confusing. What you are saying is that hitters should try and hit the baseball. What I am saying is hitters should swing through the ball. At contact, the front arm is straight, the back arm is is bent. The barrel should then continue through the hitting zone and the hitter's "Power V" should be extended out in front of the hitting zone towards the pitcher. Barry Bonds is a perfect example. Rememeber this happens very fast so it can be confusing, but if when a hitter extends to early, (as most young hitters do) it is b/c they are to long to the ball. Short to Long Baby!!!