Posted by: Anon () on Fri Jul 14 00:56:28 2006

> The basic formula for the amount of energy impacted to the baseball at contact is f=ma or f=mvv. This means that for a constant bat velocity, doubling the mass of the bat will double the impact force. However, doubling the velocity will cause the impact force to be four times greater. Therefore it appears that increasing bat velocity is more important than increasing bat weight.
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> This is true to a point. A batter swinging a lighter bat can generate greater bat speed, which equates to hitting the ball with more force. However, decreasing bat weights reach a point of diminishing returns where lowering the bat weight does not result in a corresponding increase in bat speed. The bat feels easier to swing but the bat does not have the substance to drive the ball with any real authority.
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> I understand that ultra light bats allow smaller players to compete at an earlier age. My problem is the swing mechanics these young hitters develop using the ultra light bats. Professor Adair has calculated that a 35 oz. wood bat with a velocity of 70 mph can hit a ball about 410ft. He has also calculated that it takes about 3 torque horsepower to swing the bat of which the arms can only contribute about 1/3 hp. Therefore, it is the larger muscles in the legs and torso that supply most of the energy – not the arms
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> The bottom line is – the lighter the bat, the less the larger muscles are required in the swing. With a –11 bat, a batter can attain decent game bat speed with mechanics that rely mainly on the arms. My concern is, once a batter has developed these mechanics, what happens when the batter must use a regulation size bat (-3 or heavier) which require the efficient use of the larger muscles in the legs and torso.
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> Note: Wes, the walls of an aluminum bat has more of a “trampoline” effect at contact than a wood bat.
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> Jack Mankin

Yeah, but that doesn't concur with cause and effect. I've used Light Bats, Medium Bats, Heavy bats and the medium/heavy weight bat propells the ball further.

Think about it, a 33oz bat swung at 70 MPH would yield 2310 units of force - yet, a bat 28oz bat swung at 75 MPH only yields 2100 units of momentum. Therefore, a 28oz bat must be swung at 82.5 MPH to sustain momentum - can't be done!