Posted by: The Hitting Guru () on Wed Jan 3 16:08:42 2007

> >>> Jack. I cannot dispute that analysis as it makes sense and applies to the hitters mentioned. But the question comes up as to what are the optimum lower body mechanics for a player? Is it the answer in the leg kick, the long stride, the short stride, the athletic balanced position, or does it involve a transfer of weight? As of now, it seems that some on this site believe the lower body functions as merely a timing mechanism and is simply a matter of personal preference. I simply do not agree (at this time) that that is the case.
>
> Don Mattingly (Yankeeography disc 3) was quoted as saying the leg kick up and back allowed him to regain the (power) form he had during his early career.
>
> For those who remember Don, he had good power for a man of modest size (5'11 185 lbs). Don was rotational but lost power as a debilitating disc limited his rotational turning. But by lifting the front leg with an inward turn got him back on track. It should be noted that Don used CHP to hook many homeruns into Yankee stadium right field seats. His THT and BHT appear evident but not as much as an Aaron, Strawberry, but more of a glide back.
>
> But perhaps we should save the lower body discussion for another time as opinion varies from hitter to hitter. <<<
>
> Hi Guru
>
> You, Jim and I had a good discussion of what contributes to good lower-body mechanics is an earlier thread. You might wish to review from -- http://www.batspeed.com/messageboard/45340.html
>
> Jack Mankin

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Jack. Thanks for posting the thread. But to close (on my part) with regard to the lower body. My point of reference for overall lower body contribution to power as opposed to batspeed could be explained by the following.

1. When a quarterback throws, he steps forward in a linear movement. When he begins to throw, his feet are relatively side by side. From that point there is a step and then the throw. But although the quarterback can throw a long pass without running and throwing, in almost all cases that a "Hail Mary" pass is thrown the quarterback advances and steps to throw. The momentum used is not too much unlike the forward momentum of Ruth. Thus it is reasonable to think that the quarterback must believe that momentum will help in a longer throw. This is not to say that his arm speed will be any different whether the quarterback is moving to throw or just throwing. (At minimum I would conclude that a flat foot throw (limited stride or no stride) would not achieve the same distance.)

The same energy related analogy could be compared to the discus or (expecially) javelin thrower who forward momentum appears to (almost)stop, but whose combined energy in the run is transferred. As such, all science related to motion studies are not easy to explain or prove.