Posted by: Jimmy (jimrickon@adelphia.net) on Tue Jan 2 21:45:42 2007

> Hi Jimmy
>
> You stated; “The hands are not a fixed axis and thay must initially start on a more linear path and gradually the rotational portion of the hands takes place through the point of contact . If you watch the hands they are in motion moving forward once the linear movement of the stride ceases. The hitter then begins to gradually apply more force to the bat out in front through the point of contact causing crazy bat-speed through the ball rather than way before contact is made (making the swing more productive).
>
> Jimmy, your statement exemplifies the difference between linear and rotational transfer mechanics. The forces applied to the bat during initiation produce trajectories that will set the tone for the entire swing. In order to induce the greatest amount of angular
acceleration into the bat, the first directional movement of the hands must be arcing “perpendicular” (or as close as possible to it) to the line of flight of the ball. There is no way a batter can attain maximum bat speed in the contact zone if the first movement of his hands is linear (directed at the pitcher).
>
> Over-head views of the best hitters show that they all have the first movement of their hands directed more perpendicular to, rather than inline with, the flight of the incoming ball. Although this clip of Pete Rose ( http://www.youthbaseballcoaching.com/mpg/
Rose.mpeg ) is not the best example, a frame-by-frame advancement reveals the first directional movement of his hands is not directed linear (inline with the incoming ball).
>
> Jack Mankin

Hi Jack,

Your points are well taken, and the video of Rose is awesome. But it actually shows exactly what I explained when I stated that the hands are not a fixed axis and they must travel in a more linear path before rotation around the hands takes place. When Rose's
hands get to the slot that they will drive from (around the time they get to home plate) they absolutely travel in a more linear path to the point that he applies the most force to the bat (around the time when they are at the front corner of the batters box).

I'd also like to point out that his hands and not his shoulders/hips are the first to start actually moving in his swing. This helps with bat control and strike zone discipline in game situations. Both of which are just as important as bat-speed through the hitting
zone. If you can't actually hit a pitch in your zone or take a pitch that is out of the zone it doesn't matter how much force you are applying to the bat and where.

This video also shows a great "bat-lag", where the sweet-spot of his bat never casts out to the outer half of the baseball. He is truly staying "inside the ball" with his barrell. This is a big reason why his maximum bat speed is through the point of contact. He was awesome.

In that particular video the location of the pitch is also vital. The pitch that he is driving to right field is on the outer portion of the plate. This is an example of what great hitters do with the pitch that they were looking for. If you watch your video again you will see that his hands are initially starting toward the direction that he wants to drive that pitch. Great hitters try to have the sensation or feeling that the barrel of the bat extends through the
path that the ball will travel off the bat (not height wise, just field direction) . You see this in the Rose video for a couple of frames after contact is made then the natural arc of his finish starts to take place.

If that pitch had been in the middle or middle/in part of the plate, Rose's hands would most definately have traveled in a more direct path to the inside part of his swing and his contact point would be further out in front of the plate. He would also do his best not to alow his barrel to cast to the outside half of the baseball and keep his barrel on the path that the ball will travel after contact. (with a more inside pitch the barrel would travel more through left-field for a righty)

I do not believe that ther are perfectly straight lines in a good bat or hand path, nor do I believe that spinning yourself into the ground will produce the best results in a game situation, but there are portions of the path that great hitters try to keep more linear.
"Linear-like" actions with rotation make up the actual swing but its all about what the hitter feels and what he is trying to feel in practice to produce results in a game situation.
If you agree or disagree please let me know why.

Thanks, Jimmy