Posted by: ray porco () on Thu Aug 23 21:19:37 2001

.(11) what happened to tim olson, the black hole lexicographer and steve t?..........................
>
> I'm still here, still learning, and as usual will reappear when we are back to working inside. It's time for some real self-evaluation of my thoughts on swing mechanics. As happens every year, some things worked, and some things didn't: some samples....
>
> --as much as I would like my son to pull better, he seems to be very much an "up-the-middle" and opposite field hitter. an almost sure way to get him out of slumps is in fact--hitting focus on opposite field.
>
> --the mental focus of starting to swing on every pitch, and stopping yourself if it's not a good pitch seems to work when he starts to look too much (indecision)
>
> --must keep from jumping at the ball--dead giveaway is a straightening of the rear leg. This causes topped balls because the head/eyes actually rise slightly. Focus on dropping into a flexed athletic position on the stride
>
> Right now, I'm evaluating swing arc issues.....
>
> to what extent the rear elbow should feel tucked into the side during the early part of the swing
>
> to what extent the swing of a true power hitter (especially on an inside pitch) should have an arc-and whether the hands should feel as they are pulling the knob downward upon initiation. would this downward pull put in a desired arc, get the hands and bat level with the ball quicker, and help reduce the tendency to lunge and top the ball
>
> on the other hand--does this reduce effectiveness with outside pitches, and result in too big of a loop/uppercut
>
> essential, the argument between a golf-like arc in the swing, and a straighter path to the ball
>
>
>
>

t.olsen,

LIKE A BREATH OF FRESH AIR.

when you are ready to "reappear", i have something of interest for you. right smack-dab along the lines of:

"-the mental focus of starting to swing on every pitch, and stopping yourself if it's not a good pitch..."

"to what extent the rear elbow should feel tucked into the side during the early part of the swing"

"to what extent the swing of a true power hitter (especially on an inside pitch) should have an arc-and whether the hands should feel as they are pulling the knob downward upon initiation. would this downward pull put in a desired arc, get the hands and bat level with the ball quicker..."

i have a clip of a check-swing by a.rod, and it is uncanny (almost eerie) how this fits in with your recent post. in fact, i made a feeble attempt to contact you about this clip, in a prior post.
[see a post by me on this site - Thu Jul 19 15:20:07 2001]

i have the clip in mpeg form (need instruction on how to get it to you).

when you are ready to reappear, and if you would like the clip, drop me a line at forkball002@aol.

yours in baseball,
ray porco
>