Posted by: Major Dan (markj89@charter.net) on Tue Jul 17 06:01:29 2001

> > Batspeed is primary but it is silly for a strong quick 12 yr old to be swinging a 31 -18 1/2 that costs $250 when they can swing a 31-23 with no problem, save money AND use better mechanics.
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> This is my opinion--and I while I respect yours...
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> Any kid will be able to swing a 19 ounce bat faster (and get it started quicker) than a 23 ounce bat. Even if as you say, he has no "problem" swinging a heavier bat. The key here is in the definition of the word "problem". Most of my recent observation is that kids swinging lighter bats don't gain a big edge is hitting distance potential (and may even lose a tiny bit).
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> But my experience is the kids using lighter bats have quicker and shorter strokes and seem to make more consistent contact.
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> I think better mechanics come from practice. Within reason, I just don't think bat weight makes much of a difference to mechanics. Takes some period of adjustment for big differences. For example, a kid uses a big wood bat for a weekend at a tournament--then switches back to aluminum. He probably is messed up for a day or two--then adjusts fine. No permanent damage. I've seen it just recently.
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> So I believe few ounces doesn't matter much in terms of detroying mechanics. But I think it certainly makes a difference in how fast you can swing. A 3-ounce difference is about 15%. You can swing it faster which is important at 12U levels (such as 46' mounds with a kid throwing 60 up to 70 mph.) After that, I agree wholeheartedly that bigger and heavier bats can and should be used.
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Tim-
I fully agree with you that you should NEVER sacrifice batspeed for bat weight.
I don't think we are in much disagreement. Using a Setpro batspeed trainer, you can find out pretty quickly the relationship between bat weight and swing speed. Hitters should use a game bat that they can swing at full max speed.
But they should use the heaviest bat that they can swing at that max speed, not one 2 or 3 ounces lighter. Using under weight bats as the full time game bat has dangers attached. Arms and hands can get too active too soon and lose proper body connection.
Secondly, by practicing with batspeed timing AND learning good mechanics, you can increase the weight of the bat you can swing at full speed.
Also swinging heavier bats forces the body to use bigger muscles and tends to force more rotational swings, ie. more hips and shoulder turn for power, less arm swing/wrist snap to generate bat speed.
The advantage of that is that the rotational method develops more batspeed earlier in the swing and transfers to -3 bats at higher levels. The arm swing with wrist snap in counterproductive with a -3.