Posted by: Jack Mankin (MrBatspeed@aol.com) on Wed Jun 14 14:54:13 2006

>>> Jack, I think that you are probably right when you state that the hands can't work independently. I guess what I was trying to say is that there is some semi-independent movement of the arms/hands to the ball...this movement provides about a 2 or 3 inch or less "linear lag" (for lack of a better description) where the eye/brain can transmit to the body pitch location and speed. Then I believe that the degree of force is applied to the swing is based on pitch location. The degree to which a batter can incorporate balance and tempo the more force can be applied while still making solid contact. Its my belief that many hitters (not all)practice hitting to right field in an attempt to let the brain/eyes and body react in this chain. Its also clear to me that the majority of great hitters use rotational mechanics but to my way of thinking consistent solid contact is the most important part of hitting and separtates the good hitter from the rest of us. I just believe that the timing of the rotation is a bit different than some of the posters on this site. Thanks. Jima <<<

Hi Jima

It appears from your earlier post that you do not place much stock in video analysis. However, I find analyzing clips to be very useful in this type of discussion. Take for example this clip of Pete Rose -- http://www.youthbaseballcoaching.com/mpg/Rose.mpeg He is obviously is one of the best contact hitters and therefore must incorporate the balance and tempo you spoke of.

Can you point out the 2 or 3 inches of "linear lag" movement the arms/hands take to the ball as he reads pitch location. It appears to me that his hands are propelled into circular path right from initiation. For the hands to move linear the first few inches would require the lead-elbow to bend during initiation. However, his elbow remains at a fixed angle during rotation which keeps the hands in a circular path.

Jima, the hands may move forward during the stride to prepare the launch position. However, I have a good number of over-head clips of the best hitters that show they exhibit a chp once the swing is initiated. Feel free to show any clip of a great hitter that has their hand-path moved linear during the actual swing.

Jack Mankin