Posted by: Torque (roscoethewestie@comcast.net) on Fri Jun 5 16:13:28 2009

> The inward turn is done at pitch wind up. And then comes the separation, bat back to catcher and stride, at the same time, right? Is there then a lag of time before the launch forward or is the launch forward immediately after the separation and wouldn't this forward launch timing be determined by the read speed on the pitch ? Would you have a student stride early and wait? Seems robotic and lost momentum would be less bat speed? Hope my question is clear. Thanks

The timing of a pitch and recognition of the pitch is determined in the load. Off speed pitch you spend the extra time in the loading phase. Once the pitch is recognized you come forward appropriately for the pitch. If you watch slow pitch soft ball hitters they spend a lot of time loading up. The one thing I like about Charlie Lau teaching is the weight shift which is backward and then forward with the weight. What do you do with the time going backward? You use these micro seconds to recognize the pitch and then respond forward. I DO NOT advocate the forward movement for power. It is for using the time to get in a good hitting position (leverage/torque) THT, BHT, CHP. So the time used in the back weight shift is for pitch recognition and the time used in the forward weight shift is to get in a good hitting position (THT, BHT, CHP, inward hip turn). So weight shift is really about using your time efficiently.


If you teach load then forward then pitch recognition then the hitters are going to be a mess. Kids will often naturally use the backward weight shift for pitch recognition. With forward weight shift your main concern is the foot has to be down for rotation to begin.

It is very easy for hitters at all levels to think the forward weight shift creates the power. I'm even tempted at times to think this because is feels like power because the resistance against your arms in forward weight shift is increased. Greater arm resistance then greater power, right? Not so. Greater rotation and good contact then greater power. Kids and inexperienced hitters often lunge at the ball because of this feeling of greater arm resistance thus greater power.

Most of the poorly hit balls are a result of inadequate pitch recognition and then an inappropriate swing. Back weight shift (pitch recognition) then forward weight shift (get in a good hitting position appropriate to the pitch).

Mechanical swings look bad and this is why it is so important for a hitter to have rhythm.

Hope this helps. My 2 cents.