Posted by: Jack Mankin (MrBatspeed@aol.com) on Sat Dec 2 10:02:22 2006

>>> Casting batters do not release the barrel in front of the center of gravity. They incorrectly release it behind it

You had the answer to that question in your Slaught text <<<

Hi Donny

Your reply raises some interesting questions.

(1) Casting of what and how do you define casting? -- It appears some consider any object (hands, bat-head , etc) taking a circular path is “casting.” What is your (or Slaught’s) definition of casting and what are you saying a “casting batter” is casting?

(2) What do you (or Slaught) mean by “releasing” the barrel? It sounds like the barrel is somehow spring-loaded and all the batter has to do is just waiting for the proper time to “release” it. -- I contend that in order for the best hitters to attain maximum bat speed at contact, they are not delaying the acceleration of the bat-head. Right from their launch position, they are constantly applying maximum force to accelerate (or cast) the bat-head around the swing plane.

Let us analyze this clip of Bonds -- http://www.youthbaseballcoaching.com/mpg/Bonds01.mpeg -- Would you say he is waiting to “release the barrel in front of the center of gravity”? Would Slaught say that what Berry is doing “behind” is incorrect?

Jack Mankin