Posted by: Scott W. (stwinton@netzero.net) on Mon Jun 26 09:10:59 2006

> >>> "Bat speed alone does not equate to good hitting...mechanics can be altered to generate increased bat speed however what does this get you...?
>
> If 'good hitting' is a 100%...how importent (in a percentage) is bat speed?" <<<
>
> Hi Scott W
>
> How hard the ball is hit is directly proportional to the velocity of the bat at contact. Therefore, the bat speed a hitter’s mechanics generate has a great bearing on his batting performance. In your post, you appear to suggest that a batter can not “alter” his mechanics to develop greater bat speed and retain the “good hitting” points you mentioned.
>
> The game’s best hitters have proved that to be false. They possess all the points you mentioned -- plus they exhibit rotational principles that allow them to hit the ball much harder.
>
> Jack Mankin

...what comes first the chicken or the egg?

Are these hitters good because they have good bat speed or does their bat speed make them good hitters?

Are all hitters that have great bat speed good hitters? Hell No! Are there some great hitters that have average to below aver bat speed, yes. You can be a good hitter without great bats peed…you can have great bat speed and still not hit a lick.

Will increased bat speed give you a better chance at success, sure, it will allow you to wait longer, it will allow you to be more on time with a greater percentage of pitched balls, you’ll get fooled less often the longer you can wait on a pitch…however, bat speed is one (in my opinion) small component of being ABLE to actually hit…

I think my point is, bat speed and good hitting are separate entities…I think their could just as easily be a site on how to see the ball better, how to approach different counts, situational hitting, dealing with offensive pressure- internal and external…. These being other component that are just as important to good hitting.