Posted by: The Hitting Guru (hitman3527@aol.com) on Tue Apr 25 10:31:50 2006

> > > > >>> 2) Bat speed must be at least influenced by strength, because it seems observable (in MLB today) that bigger, stronger people hit the ball further than people who are less strong. For that matter. men w/ perfect mechanics hit the ball further than women w/ perfect mechanics. <<<
> > > > >
> > > > > Hi Scott
> > > > >
> > > > > Welcome to the site. I would basically just ditto Donny’s assessment. – Efficient mechanics trumps strength with inefficient mechanics. Obviously, efficient mechanics applied with great force equals greater production.
> > > > >
> > > > > Jack Mankin
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > Thank you, Jack. About the answer I expected, I think.
> > > >
> > > > My daughter has benefited a good deal from the info I have been able to convey to her, based on your DVD - much appreciated.
> > > >
> > > > Highest regards,
> > > >
> > > > Scott
> > > Strength is not directly proportionate to bat speed because the more efficient you are with your hands the more explosive your swing will be yet if you are strong but have lethargic hands there is less explosiveness thus resulting in a weak swing. If you give a girl a bat and she has quick hands and swift hips she will hit the ball better than a fat strong kid.
> >
> >
> > I would have to add that the young lady will hit better than a fat strong NON ATHLETIC kid. Generally the fat (out of shape) kids tend to be non athletes (with regard to baseball).
>
> but if you give the fat kid some steroids do you suppose that would alter the balance?


Actually the steroids with regard to the fat kid won't alter the balance as much if the fat kid practiced as much as the skinny kid or the girl with the good mechanics as mentioned earlier. The big kid has a huge potential advantage do to the size factor and in some cases could easily weigh twice as much as the smaller kid. But at a young age the fat kid's motor skills are inhibited to a degree by a lack of conditioning if he is not naturally athletic. A fat kid (Frank Thomas using linear mechanics) will destroy (Barry Bonds using rotational) in any type of hitting contest if Thomas was on Steroids.