Posted by: Jack Mankin (MrBatspeed@aol.com) on Mon Feb 27 17:05:31 2006

>>> HI Jack,

Still waiting to discuss the THT issue.

It appears that the early arcing of the bat is feed by two forces. One force is working down the length of the bat and the other to turn it. The rapid rotation of the bat doesn't take place until the lag position.

It appears the bat works on a curve/linear path through the first portion of the swing. The real rotation of the bat takes placce from the lag position and out into full extension. The bat hasn't completed the swing at the power L position, the bat/swing is completed at full extension.

The bats real rotational part happens from the lag position to full extension. This is when the hook affect is being applied. Before going into the real rotational part the bat follows a curve/linear path. The arcing, which is very small, is limited by this curve/linear path. It takes a great deal longer to move through the first part of the swing, as compared to the last part or when the real rotational part takes place.

So one question is how does THT enhance the curve/linear path the bat follows. Remember the bat doesn't arc a great deal through the first portion of the swing, it is the last portion from lag to full extension where the bat undergoes a great rotation. The is also considered a short swing, no early arcing, casting, looping. <<<

Hi Shawn

You state, “So one question is how does THT enhance the curve/linear path the bat follows. Remember the bat doesn't arc a great deal through the first portion of the swing, it is the last portion from lag to full extension where the bat undergoes a great rotation. The is also considered a short swing, no early arcing, casting, looping.”

There is a major difference in the importance you and I place on accelerating the bat-head from its pre-launch and launch position back to the lag position (about 90 to 100 degrees from contact). The bat rotates through about 90 degrees (or about 120 degrees with a Bonds type pre-launch) to the lag position. You seem to be saying that the angular displacement rate attained during the first half of the swing is insignificant.

Here is a clip showing Bonds from the rear. - http://www.youthbaseballcoaching.com/mpg/Bonds01.mpeg – After viewing this clip, if you actually believe that the rearward bat-head acceleration he attains (and the mechanics he used to attain it) from his pre-launch back to the lag position is not a significant factor to his contact bat speed, then there is nothing I could possibly say that would change your mind.

I would just say in closing that we might never have heard of Bonds if he had the average hitters' angular displacement rate at the lag position.

Jack Mankin