Posted by: Jack Mankin (MrBatspeed@aol.com) on Thu Nov 2 13:08:50 2006

>>> Re posting this since it got cut off at the end of October.

I have noticed in some hitters, but mostly in Albert Pujols and Alfonso Soriano, how they keep their swings very simple. And look how great of hitters the two are. Look at these clips of them.

Albert Pujols: http://home.comcast.net/~karla.mcnurlin/2b1b.gif

Alfonso Soriano: http://www.youthbaseballcoaching.com/mpg/sorianoside.mpeg

Notice how both of them start with there hands in their load position, instead of putting them there during their stride. Instead of having to think about bringing their hands back during the swing, they start there so that that is one less thing to be thinking of when you are hitting, since it is already hard enough to hit. I think that the more things you can eliminate that you have to do while you are swinging, the easier it will be able to hit. The less movement you have during the swing is also better because it will help keep everything with less movement. The only thing Albert Pujols has to think about is when to start turning that front foot in and putting it down. He doesnt have to think about moving his hands back, because he just starts them back form the beginning. Same thing with Soriano, he just has to think aboutt when to pick up his foot and put it down, he doesnt have to worry about when to bring his hands back or how far to bring them back becuase he starts there instead. I am not saying that all hitters should do this, but for some hitters, it may work. Now the question I have is that do you lose power by starting them back, as opposed to loading them back, and why or why not? Thanks alot!! <<<

Hi Mike

I find nothing wrong with having the hands back at the launch position as you wait to initiate your swing. Also, its fine if you wish to limit some of your other pre-launch movements. However, I would not recommend in “keeping it simple” that the bat, body and limbs stay static as you wait for the pitch. Having rhythmic movement of the bat, body and limbs to match the rhythm of the pitchers windup and delivery is key to a good swing.

Good hitters have various styles in the rhythmic movement they use to set up the launch position. Bonds starts with his hands low close to his belt – Sosa has his hands a foot or so away from his shoulder – Pujols has his close to the shoulder – but regardless of where they hold their hands in their stance, their pre-launch movements will bring their hands to about the same location (launch position) as they initiate body rotation.

Mike, although Pujols has his hands up close to the launch position while in his stance, it does not mean he is static (little or no movement) while waiting for the pitch. The clip shows a lot of rhythmic movement of his wrist, bat-head and lead-leg during pre-launch before he initiates rotation.

Jack Mankin